By George H. Tsai
It is reported that Sears, Roebuck and Co. is expected to close its store next to the Flushing Town Hall on Northern Boulevard. The store, which is perhaps not in the right place, is at the right time to exit this area.
I have tried quite a few times to shop at that Sears location but could hardly find a parking space. Its location might have discouraged a lot of people from patronizing it. One can find the items it offers at Home Depot, Circuit City and even BJ’s, where parking is not a problem. It is sad, though, to see this institution go; however, Sears does brisk business as an anchor store at malls throughout the country.
According to local media, New Millennium Construction and Development Corp. in Flushing plans to build an 18-story tower on the same site. The new structure with underground parking will include a swank hotel and apartments. Developer George Xu and the Flushing authorities reached an agreement on the deal in March, according to the Ming Pao newspaper, a Chinese-language daily.
The project will not only dwarf all the buildings in Flushing, but it will also present a sharp contrast to the architecture of the venerable town hall next to it. It may be the second big development for Northern Boulevard.
Earlier, Boymelgreen Development Corp. of Brooklyn announced that it planned to build a big shopping center with apartments on the site of the long-closed RKO Keith’s Theater facing Main Street. A modern structure of this magnitude ought to have underground parking.
The two giant structures are expected to bring in more traffic but are unlikely to cause any parking problems.
These planned projects certainly would brighten the landscape of Flushing and create more jobs, but I am not sure if we need another shopping center selling apparel, cosmetics and jewelry. Stores such as Macy’s and Old Navy, as well as the Flushing Mall and numerous small department stores in town can cater to people of all income levels.
Many stores at the Flushing Mall closed their doors due to a lack of business. I have visited the mall many times and asked salespeople about their business. Their answers were negative. Of course, eateries at the mall are an exception.
The newly connected mini-mall facing College Point Boulevard, however, seems to be a shot in the arm for the Flushing Mall. The mini-mall, modeled after the same pattern of the big mall in Seoul, has some 30 stands and attracts a lot of customers, mostly local Koreans.
About a year ago, a Chinese developer was trying to turn the former Caldor department store on Roosevelt Avenue into an expo featuring mini-stores. It seems the developer has scuttled the plan because the banner carrying the word “Expo” was taken down from the storefront.
Merchants must take into account the purchasing power of prospective buyers in this area. Most of them are struggling new immigrants who work very hard and try to save as much as they can for security reasons. Many have to send money back home.
Flushing is not a tourist town, but new hotels emerge one after another. Apparently, supply exceeds demand. The construction right across from the Queens Botanical Garden originally was intended for a hotel, but the developer instead chose to make it into a 14-story apartment building.
Yes, Queens, particularly Flushing, is in great need of affordable housing; few can afford to buy luxury homes. Despite the economic doldrums, prices on condos and co-ops continue to soar in this part of the city because of rapid population growth.
Flushing has the potential to become a modern metropolis by going westward. Of course, the trash transfer station is a stumbling block. We have to get rid of it before developers show any interest in an expansion plan.
In the beginning, Flushing merchants and residents protested the proposed move of the transfer station from Staten Island to this area, but the action failed to pan out. Now it is hard to remove it without the city’s cooperation. It seems the transfer station is here to stay.
Apart from the west side, other places can be expanded as part of the greater Flushing area. There is a large lot facing the multiplex. Flushing can even stretch up to the College Point Corporate Park and the land behind the newer Home Deport in College Point.
I am sure developers will set their sights on these areas sooner or later.
