6
QUEENS WEEKLY, AUGUST 2, 2020
City completes Atlantic Avenue Extension
project and opens park in Downtown Jamaica
BY BILL PARRY
Downtown Jamaica
now has more park space
and greater access to the
LIRR and AirTrain hub
with the completion of the
long-awaited Atlantic Avenue
Extension project.
City officials and community
leaders gathered
in the newly created Gateway
Park Tuesday, July
21, for a ribbon-cutting
ceremony to celebrate
the latest step forward of
the Jamaica NOW Action
Plan.
“Today’s unveiling of
the Atlantic Avenue extension
and opening of the
new Gateway Park marks
an incredible milestone
for the DowntownJamaica
community and the city at
large,” New York City Economic
Development Corporation
President and
CEO James Patchett said.
“For years, residents in
this community have advocated
for safer roadways
and more open space and
were thrilled to deliver on
a promise that turns their
vision into a reality. We
want to thank Parks, DOT,
our elected officials and
the Jamaica NOW Leadership
Council.for their collaboration
in this effort,
which is making this community
stronger today and
for years to come.”
The project’s design
and construction were
managed by NYCEDC and
improves access by creating
a gateway between
the Van Wyck Expressway
and the transit hub.
It extended Atlantic Avenue
one block south to
95th Avenue, created the
new Gateway Park around
the new roadway, and improved
the streetscape
on 94th and 95th avenues
from the Van Wyck Expressway
Service Road to
Sutphin Boulevard.
“Thanks to several
years of collaboration
among several agencies
and community groups,
this multi-faceted project
will give New Yorkers a
smoother transition into
the Downtown Jamaica
core, creating a gateway to
the neighborhood and simplifying
traffic patterns
with new one-way streets
and bicycle facilities,” Department
of Transportation
Commissioner Polly
Trottenberg said.
The nearly one-acre
park boasts a new playground,
additional open
space and shaded seating.
“Transforming this
underutilized site reflects
our commitment to accessibility
as we expand and
enhance our green spaces,”
NYC Parks Queens
Borough Commissioner
Michael Dockett said. “We
look forward to maintaining
this new parkland. The
new Gateway Park brings
much needed open space
for recreation to the heart
of Downtown Jamaica.”
The Jamaica planning
initiative was conducted
by the Mayor’s Office
in partnership with the
Queens borough president,
to identify community
priorities and create
a coordinated and equitable
economic development
strategy in Jamaica.
“Downtown Jamaica
experiences continued
growth in the number
of people coming to live,
shop and do business,”
Greater Jamaica Development
Corporation President
and CEO Hope Knight
said. “The completion of
the Atlantic Avenue Extension
and Gateway Park
provides a much-needed
infrastructure enhancement
to alleviate vehicle
congestion getting in
and out of our downtown
core.”
Funding for the $19.8
million project includes
$9.3 million in city capital
funding, including $5.6
million in funding allocated
for projects containing
upgrades around city
airports, $3 million for
the Queens borough president’s
office, and a $7.5
million in grant funding
from the Federal Highway
Administration.
“After a long wait, and
bated breath, the Atlantic
Avenue Extension project
is now completed and will
usher access to the LIRR
Jamaica Station/AirTrain
Station from the Van Wyck
Expressway,” Jamaica
NOW Leadership Council
Co-Chair Tameka Pierre-
Louis said. “The Jamaica
NOW Leadership Council
is proud to present three
new parks leading to the
beautiful open plaza at the
Jamaica station for the
residents of Queens and
beyond.”
Reach reporter Bill Parry
by e-mail at bparry@
schnepsmedia.com or by
phone at (718) 260–4538.
Officials celebrate the completion of the Atlantic Avenue Extension and the opening of Gateway Park in Downtown Jamaica.
Courtesy of NYCEDC
ASTORIA TIMES ■ BAYSIDE TIMES
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