New York, NY – New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) President and CEO James Patchett, Housing Development Corporation (HDC) Executive Vice President of Real Estate, Paula Roy Carethers, Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), Queens Borough President Melinda Katz, Councilmember I. Daneek Miller, State Senator Leroy Comrie, Assemblywoman Alicia Hyndman, Representatives with Omni New York LLC and community stakeholders, today broke ground on Archer Green Apartments in Jamaica, Queens. The transformational project will convert a former New York City Police Department parking garage into a vibrant mixed-use development that will bring affordable housing, a community facility and commercial space to downtown Jamaica.
The project, Archer Green Apartments, was borne out of the Jamaica NOW Action Plan and will deliver over 380 units of 100% affordable housing, approximately 15,000 square feet of community facility space and 68,800 square feet of retail and commercial space. Additionally, the project is expected to create nearly 350 construction jobs and over 300 permanent jobs.
“Today’s groundbreaking is a major win for Southeast Queens,” said NYCEDC President and CEO James Patchett. “Archer Green Apartments is a game-changing project that will help spur economic growth in the heart of downtown Jamaica. Together, with our partner agencies HPD, HDC, and the development team, we’re delivering 380 units of 100% affordable housing, over 300 good-paying jobs, and dedicated community space. We thank the NYPD, our agency partners and local elected officials for their support and commitment to bringing this project to fruition.”
“Archer Green will bring a vibrant mix of affordable housing, parking, community, and retail space, while also generating new opportunities for MWBE businesses and creating jobs for New Yorkers, demonstrating our comprehensive approach to transforming communities and bolstering economic opportunity for our city under Housing New York,” said HDC President Eric Enderlin. “Congratulations to our partners at EDC, HPD, NYPD, Omni New York, Mill Plain Properties, Bank of New York, Redstone Equities, all our elected officials, and so many others who have made deep commitments to this incredible project and in turn are investing in a better future for the Greater Jamaica community.
“Today represents a significant milestone in our progress towards the goals of both the Jamaica NOW Action Plan and Housing New York, as we put shovels in the ground to repurpose this public site for much-needed affordable housing and commercial space. Archer Green will create 380 affordable and bring vibrant new community and retail space, as part of a larger, locally-driven plan to revitalize the neighborhood,” said HPD Commissioner Maria Torres-Springer. “I want to thank Council Member I. Daneek Miller, Borough President Katz, and our many local elected officials for their support of this project, as well as EDC, HDC, NYPD, Omni, and our many development partners for their creativity and hard work to build a lasting community asset for the residents of Jamaica.”
“We are excited to work with EDC, HDC, HPD and all of our local partners to start construction on a building that will bring about much-needed affordable housing to the surrounding community,” said Eugene Schneur, Managing Director of Omni New York LLC. “We want to thank all of the government and financial organizations that made this deal possible.”
“Jamaica’s transformation continues as we break ground on a long-awaited development that delivers on our promise to expand opportunities in Jamaica including affordable housing,” said Queens Borough President Melinda Katz. A hallmark of the Jamaica NOW Action Plan is to revitalize one of Queens’ most critical commercial and cultural hubs, this mixed-use complex will provide the community with the affordable housing, community facility space, retail and employment opportunities it needs — and deserves — going forward. Thank you to Councilman I. Daneek Miller, the Jamaica NOW Leadership Council, Omni New York, the Housing Development Corporation, the New York City Economic Development Corporation and the New York City Department of Housing, Preservation and Development for making this day possible.”
“From its inception, this project has been cultivated through a productive collaboration between government, private enterprise, and community; and is now poised to yield tangible benefits for the people of Southeast Queens,” said Council Member I. Daneek Miller. “It will offer real housing affordability that is compatible with our region’s income, as well as provide localized contracting, hiring, and workforce development opportunities for our M/WBEs, workers, and job-seekers alike. I ‘m proud of what we have accomplished, and give thanks to EDC President and CEO James Patchett, HPD Commissioner Maria Torres-Springer, and OMNI New York LLC for their partnership in what will surely be a milestone for our community.”
“This is a very proud day. Thanks to the collective work of city agencies and local elected officials, the Jamaica Now Action Plan has achieved another milestone,” said State Senator James Sanders Jr. We are welcoming 380 units of 100 percent affordable housing to an area where it is critically needed. This project will also bring commercial and retail space to the community, which will increase economic prosperity and create hundreds of good paying construction jobs to stimulate the economy.”
“Affordable housing, job opportunities, and a local community space are much needed in downtown Jamaica. With ongoing homelessness and unemployment, we need real solutions for this neighborhood” said Assemblywoman Hyndman. “Today’s long-awaited groundbreaking of the 168th parking garage promises real change. I commend NYCEDC, HDC, and HPD for spearheading this project and making sure that our community has a stake in this development. I look forward to continue working with my colleagues, bringing more affordable housing, more jobs, and economic stability to Southeast Queens.”
"The 168th Street corridor is being reborn with much-needed affordable housing, community space and retail for the residents of Jamaica and Southeast Queens," said Hope Knight, president and CEO of the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation. “The redevelopment of this long underutilized lot perfectly demonstrates the City's commitment to Jamaica's future.”
“Housing is a major component to the economic revitalization of Jamaica, Queens, “said Ian Harris, Chair of the Jamaica NOW Leadership Council. The Jamaica NOW Leadership Council is proud to see one of its action items come to fruition with the redevelopment of the NYPD garage. This project brings jobs, affordable housing and community space making it a win for the whole community.
The redevelopment of the NYPD garage is the first major milestone to arise from the Jamaica NOW Action Plan, a $153 million dollar neighborhood revitalization initiative announced in 2015 by the de Blasio Administration, Queens Borough President Melinda Katz and NYCEDC. The twenty-one point strategic plan aims to economically revitalize Jamaica, Queens by providing workforce training and small business support, and improving the livability of the neighborhood through investments in safety measures, green spaces and more.
Omni New York LLC and Lettire Construction Corporation, the project’s construction management team, have committed to a 25% M/WBE participation goal and 35% minority and female workforce participation in construction jobs and new staff positions created. Additionally, the development team will participate in HireNYC, a free City program that connects New Yorkers with workforce development services and job opportunities for various investment projects.
About NYCEDC
New York City Economic Development Corporation is the City's primary vehicle for promoting economic growth in each of the five boroughs. NYCEDC's mission is to stimulate growth through expansion and redevelopment programs that encourage investment, generate prosperity and strengthen the City's competitive position. NYCEDC serves as an advocate to the business community by building relationships with companies that allow them to take advantage of New York City's many opportunities. Find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter, or visit our blog to learn more about NYCEDC projects and initiatives.
About the New York City Housing Development Corporation (HDC)
HDC is the nation’s largest municipal Housing Finance Agency and is charged with helping to finance the creation or preservation of affordable housing under Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Housing New York plan. Since 2003, HDC has financed more than 120,000 housing units using over $13.7 billion in bonds, and provided in excess of $1.6 billion in subsidy from corporate reserves. HDC ranks among the nation’s top issuers of mortgage revenue bonds for affordable multi-family housing on Thomson Reuter’s annual list of multi-family bond issuers. In each of the last four consecutive years, HDC’s annual bond issuance has surpassed $1 billion. For additional information, visit: http://www.nychdc.com
About the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD)
The New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) is the nation’s largest municipal housing preservation and development agency. Its mission is to promote quality housing and diverse, thriving neighborhoods for New Yorkers through loan and development programs for new affordable housing, preservation of the affordability of the existing housing stock, enforcement of housing quality standards, and educational programs for tenants and building owners. HPD is tasked with fulfilling Mayor de Blasio’s Housing New York Plan which was recently expanded and accelerated through Housing New York 2.0 to complete the initial goal of 200,000 homes two years ahead of schedule—by 2022, and achieve an additional 100,000 homes over the following four years, for a total of 300,000 homes by 2026. For full details visit www.nyc.gov/hpd and for regular updates on HPD news and services, connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @NYCHousing.
