LGA Community Office
Rick Cotton said, “We
are committed to continuing
to work with local organizations
and residents as
the new LaGuardia Airport
takes shape. This new LGA
Redevelopment Community
Information Center will be
a forum in East Elmhurst
for the sharing of ideas and
information about LGA Redevelopment
from the community
and where the Port
Authority can listen to important
feedback.” He added,
“This project is going to provide
important benefits to the
neighboring communities
through jobs, business opportunities,
training, and education
for careers in aviation.
The Vaughn College scholarship
with guaranteed employment
with the Port Authority
following graduation opens
doors for talented students
from the surrounding communities
and helps the next
generation of Queens residents
play a major part in the
future of the airport, the community,
and the region.”
“As we continue this critically
important $8 billion
overhaul of LaGuardia Airport,
we must constantly recommit
ourselves to building
a state-of-the-art facility
that meets the needs of the
surrounding community
and Queens families,” said
Queens Borough President
Melinda Katz. “Today’s opening
of a permanent LGA Redevelopment
Community Information
Center is yet another
example of how fruitful the
partnership between the Port
Authority, local officials and
the communities most impacted
Resource People: (L-R) Council for Airport Opportunity Verdia Noel, Aviation Development Council Bill Huisman,
Vaughn College President Sharon DeVivo, Queens Chamber of Commerce President Tom Grech.
AIRPORT V 16 OICE, JANUARY 2020
by the airport is. This
center will help ensure that
local residents, businesses
and communities are able to
access the growth opportunities
provided by this vital redevelopment,
boosting both
the efficiency of the airport
and our regional economy.”
“We are so delighted that
the LaGuardia Redevelopment
Community Office has
finally opened its doors to
the residents of Queens, especially
East Elmhurst and
Corona,” said Assemblyman
Jeffrion Aubry. “The Port Authority
has once again kept its
commitment to being a good
neighbor, and worked tirelessly
to get this office open
with help from many Queensbased
MWBE firms. The office
is an important resource
for local residents to come for
information on the LaGuardia
Redevelopment Project,
and how to take advantage of
the economic opportunities
that come with it.”
“The new LGA Redevelopment
Information Center will
be a great resource for our
community members to stay
informed on the airport’s
latest redesign updates and
search for jobs close to home,”
said State Senator Jessica Ramos.
“I commend the Port
Authority of New York and
New Jersey for its continued
commitment to spurring economic
activity in our neighborhoods
and supporting our
neighbors.”
The new LGA Redevelopment
Community Information
Center has 1,044 square
foot office space that will
house four staff members
who live in the surrounding
communities and have been
working out of a mobile office.
The new community information
center will serve as an
information hub for Queens
residents to learn more about
redevelopment program and
offer feedback to the Port
Authority and LGA Redevelopment
staff. The office will
also be a central resource
for information on jobs and
contracting opportunities as
part of the $8 billion complete
redevelopment of LaGuardia
Airport. The new community
information center features a
conference room, ADA-compliant
bathroom, and five
designated workspaces. The
office will be open Monday
through Friday and provide
extensive engagement with
neighborhood residents and
other stakeholders during
the life of the redevelopment.
It will host community meetings
and events, including job
fairs and MWBE certification
workshops.
Many of the businesses
involved in planning, design
and construction of the redevelopment
office are MWBE
firms and Queens-based. The
project was led by a team of
all women, including staff
from LaGuardia Redevelopment,
the Port Authority, and
architects and designers from
the private sector. The design
for the Community Outreach
Center was generated Ning
Lu Architecture, a Flushing
based business. The interior
graphics, exterior store sign
and awning are fabricated by
SD Printing & Design, located
in Corona, Other companies
involved in the redevelopment
office include Aviation
Development Council, Twin
Towers, Aranda Plumbing,
PGA Mechanical, FCS Group,
Meadows Office, B&R Construction
Services, and Morganti.
Of the $1.1 million total
cost to build the office, more
than $1 million was awarded
to MWBE and nearly 70 percent
was awarded to businesses
from the neighboring
communities. 93 Percent of
Contractors for the new office
are minority and womenowned
business enterprise
(M/WBE) Certified; Nearly
70 Percent Are Locally Based
Business Enterprises.
At the opening the Port
Authority of New York and
New Jersey also announced
it will once again partner
with Vaughn College of Aeronautics
and Technology in
Queens on a full-tuition scholarship
program, part of the
agency’s continuing effort to
provide opportunities for local
communities to share in
the economic benefits of La-
Continued from page 1
Hersh Parekh, Director of Government & Community Relations, Aviation Redevelopment NY PANYNJ, announces
Round Two of LGA Redevelopment Vaughn College Scholarship recipients with (L-R) Sharon DeVivo,
President Vaughn College; Melinda Katz, Queens District Attorney; Jeffrion Aubry, Assemblyman; Rick Cotton,
Executive Director, PANYNJ.
Rick Cotton approves as Larry Gallegos makes announcement affecting
the next generation of travelers, in this case, baby of LGA Redevelopment
team member Shanel Thomas.