By The Numbers
26
Investments completed
Jamaica Planning Initiative
Location:
Jamaica
Project Status:
Ongoing
In Spring 2014, the Queens Borough President, in coordination with NYCEDC and the City of New York, began the Jamaica Planning Initiative, bringing together community residents, nonprofit and faith-based organizations, private firms, industry experts, policymakers, and city government leaders to discuss one mission—strengthening Jamaica. The initiative culminated in the creation of the Jamaica NOW Neighborhood Action Plan, a $153 million strategic economic development investment.
Under the leadership of the Queens Borough President, the Jamaica NOW Leadership Council, comprising a diverse set of community stakeholders, was created to guide the Action Plan’s implementation, provide oversight, and share information with the broader community.
Over the past five years, the community and the City have made enormous strides toward the fulfillment of the 28 investments outlined in the Jamaica NOW Neighborhood Action Plan, many of which have been completed.
Community Impact
Archer Green Groundbreaking
By The Numbers
1,350
Units of affordable housing financed
Jamaica Transportation Study
By The Numbers
7
Small business storefronts improved along Sutphin Blvd, Liberty Ave, and Jamaica Ave corridors
By The Numbers
21
LinkNYC Wi-Fi kiosks installed along Jamaica Avenue
LjnkNYC Kiosk
By The Numbers
$2.1M
Invested in parks across Jamaica, including Brinkerhoff Mall and Rufus King Park
Rufus Kings Park
By The Numbers
25+
Private, nonprofit, and institutional Partners
Brinkerhoff Mall
By The Numbers
26
Investments completed
Jamaica Transportation Study
LjnkNYC Kiosk
By The Numbers
25+
Private, nonprofit, and institutional Partners
Archer Green Groundbreaking
By The Numbers
7
Small business storefronts improved along Sutphin Blvd, Liberty Ave, and Jamaica Ave corridors
By The Numbers
$2.1M
Invested in parks across Jamaica, including Brinkerhoff Mall and Rufus King Park
Brinkerhoff Mall
By The Numbers
1,350
Units of affordable housing financed
By The Numbers
21
LinkNYC Wi-Fi kiosks installed along Jamaica Avenue
Rufus Kings Park
Action Plan Updates
The Jamaica NOW Neighborhood Action Plan focused on four core goals:
- Increasing access to quality jobs and small business support
- Promoting commercial growth and economic development
- Improving livability
- Increasing awareness of Jamaica through marketing efforts
Increasing Access to Quality Jobs, Supporting Small Business
- The Jamaica FEASTS (Food Entrepreneurship and Services Training Space) program teaches entrepreneurs how to start a food business. Since its launch, 90 entrepreneurs—mostly minorities and women—have graduated from the program, with 87 percent officially registered as businesses in New York City.
- To support workforce development in the field, NYACH (New York Alliance for careers in Healthcare) worked closely with Sunnyside Community Services, a large home healthcare provider serving parts of Jamaica that has participated in enhanced Home Health Aide training.
- NYACH’s Citywide Nurse Residency Program launched in December 2018 with 28 public and safety net hospitals, including Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, providing new graduate nurses with a year-long residency that develops confidence and competence in clinical abilities.
- Since 2016, York College students have been connected to the CUNY Tech Prep, a year-long Fullstack JavaScript program for CUNY computer science majors to learn in-demand technologies, master professional soft skills, and land tech jobs in NYC. Queens College also recently joined the CUNY 2X Tech initiative, which aims to double the number of qualified tech graduates by 2022.
Members of The Jamaica NOW Leadership Council.
The ‘Jamaica Is Home To’ campaign amplified the work of the Jamaica NOW Leadership team, while enlightening others on the rich history, culture, and bustling business district Downtown Jamaica has to offer.
Ian Harris
Jamaica Now Leadership Council Co-Chair
See Our Progress
01
06
Promoting Commercial Growth and Economic Development
- The Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) and NYCEDC have been working with private property owners to redevelop vacant sites in Downtown Jamaica into mixed-use developments that will provide new retail space and affordable housing for a range of income levels.
Improving Livability
- A dilapidated NYPD garage is being transformed into Archer Green, a 100 percent affordable housing development with community space and local-serving retail.
- NYCEDC is working on a broad suite of infrastructure investments, including the Sutphin Underpass and Atlantic Avenue Extension, to improve circulation and community experience along these corridors. NYCEDC is also in the process of re-evaluating the scope for the revitalization of Station Plaza.
Telling Jamaica’s Story
- NYCEDC, in collaboration with NYC & Company, worked with the Jamaica Leadership Council to develop the “Jamaica Is Home To” marketing campaign, which highlights the neighborhood’s history, eclectic restaurants, local arts, and small businesses as a destination for families, innovation, and culture. NYC & Company also helped design a new logo to help brand Jamaica.
Jamaica NOW Action Plan Update
See the full list of progress made over the past five years.
Learn MoreFor questions or more information, please visit queensbp.org.
