By Juan Soto
The dream of a splendid Jamaica will soon become a reality — at least, that is what city leaders, experts and business and community leaders are trying to accomplish.
After all, more than 300,000 people intersect daily in downtown Jamaica, home of the AirTrain to John F. Kennedy International Airport, one of the busiest Long Island Rail Road stations, subway stations, bus lines, courts, a college campus, a commercial strip and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration regional offices.
That’s why, Borough President Melinda Katz said, Jamaica “needs a plan to happen.” She added that in the next few months “we will gather information” to work for a better Jamaica.
The borough president organized a conference Tuesday to have experts try to determine the principal needs to strengthen Jamaica and southeast Queens when it comes to housing, youth, education, transportation, small business and commercial development, among others.
“We have to produce an action plan to propel Jamaica’s growth,” said Peter Kulka, chairman of the Greater Jamaica Development Corp., noting the proximity of the neighborhood to JFK Airport.
“The community can grow around the AirTrain,” he added at the conference called Fulfilling the Promise of Jamaica.
Deputy Mayor Alicia Glenn said it was time Jamaica “become a 21st-century center, where the combination of private and public capital unlocks the potential that is here.”
In fact, the deputy mayor for housing and economic development pointed out that there is an opportunity to bring to Jamaica “tech industries, startups, incubators, building developments. This will be the beginning of a fantastic dialogue.”
During the morning-long conference held at York College Tuesday, the participants gave their input on six different breakout sessions.
There were two groups that debated housing issues. One of them cautioned that gentrification “should not make victims in the community, so children who grew up in Jamaica, and want to live in Jamaica, can live here.”
When it came to youth and education, the participants spoke of the importance of early education programs as a pathway to college. And the same way schools have English-language learners programs, there was a recommendation that educators should teach foreign languages to English speakers.
Meanwhile, experts who shared views on public space and transportation called for better connections between the LIRR and the subway stations and subway lines, and once the MetroCard system expires, set for 2018, it should be replaced with a regional MetroCard.
Other suggestions included the creation of a better greenspace at and around Rufus King Park, using the York College facilities for the betterment of the community, more parking spots, fighting illegal dumping, the installation of speed bumps on major traffic arteries, better opportunities for small and minority-owned businesses and adequate workforce training programs.
“All the ideas will be heard,” said Melva Miller, director of economic development at the borough president’s office. “This is just the beginning of the process.”
“We will make great things happen here,” Katz promised.
Reach reporter Juan Soto by email at jsoto@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4564.
