Jamaica Development Talk of the Town

Press of Southeast Queens, February 21-27, 2003, by Angela Montefinise

Members of Community Board 12 met with leaders of the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation (GJDC) at Jamaica Market on Feb. 12 to discuss the future of development in the area, and express concerns with upcoming development projects.

The meeting, which was actually the GJDC’s quarterly meeting, featured special guest James Davis, the chairman of Community Board 12. He discussed resident concerns, from parking problems to a lack of middle-income housing.

GJDC President Carlisle Towery and Vice Chairman Lamont Bailey addressed the issues, and explained that plans for additional parking and the construction of middle-income housing were already being explored.

In addition, they talked about plans to continue development in areas where the AirTrain JFK will travel.

Specifically, Towery talked about projects planned for between 2003 and 2005, including the renovations of a vacant firehouse, Jamaica Market, several small office buildings and GJDC headquarters over a four block stretch in the central part of Jamaica.

In addition, GJDC wants to beautify and enhance the downtown area’s historic assets, add more green space, and create “pathways,” or comfortable spaces for safe and informative experiences on foot.

The GJDC also plans to make York College a “centerpiece” to attract local development, link the arts with economic development, create special loans for small businesses, and improve Jamaica’s industrial base.

GJDC is a non-profit organization founded in 1967 by business, civic and community leaders to plan and facilitate the revitalization of downtown Jamaica.