DOWNTOWN JAMAICA QUEENS Commercial District Needs Assessment
COMMERCIAL DISTRICT NEEDS ASSESSMENT
in partnership Jamaica Center Business Improvement District with ABOUT DOWNTOWN JAMAICA
Avenue NYC is a competitive grant Background program created by the NYC Department of Small Business Services to fund and build the One of Queens’ three regional business districts, Downtown Jamaica is home to a variety of civic, capacity of community-based cultural, and transportation networks, and serves as a gateway to New York City. This commercial development organizations to destination boasts three performing arts centers, dozens of landmarked structures, an 11-acre execute commercial revitalization initiatives. Avenue NYC is funded park, two colleges, a major transportation hub, hundreds of independent businesses, and several through the U.S. Department of national retailers. Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Development of Jamaica began in the early 20th century, with the extension of the elevated Grant (CDBG) Program, which transit lines and completion of the Long Island Rail Road’s Jamaica station. Between 1920 and targets investments in low- and 1940, Downtown Jamaica’s commercial real estate significantly expanded to support the growing moderate-income neighborhoods. residential population. Neighborhood fixtures included prominent department stores Gertz, Avenue NYC Commercial Macy’s, and May’s; the first modern supermarket, King Kullen; and Loew’s Valencia Theatre. Revitalization grants provide multi-year commitments aimed The neighborhood remains home to many historically significant buildings: King Manor, a historic at building the capacity of partner house museum that focuses on the role of Rufus King (a signer of the U.S. Constitution) and organizations to better understand neighborhood needs, develop his sons as national figures in the early anti-slavery movement; the First Reformed Church of impactful programs, and sustain Jamaica, initially erected in 1715, rebuilt in 1862, and enlarged in 1902; the Grace Episcopal their work in the community for at Church, which was completed in 1862 and enlarged in 1901-1902; and the Jamaica Avenue least three years. Sidewalk Clock which was originally built in 1900 at 161-11 Jamaica Avenue, designated a New The Commercial District Needs York City landmark in 1981, and moved to the intersection of Jamaica Avenue and Union Hall Assessment (CDNA) highlights a Street in 1989. neighborhood’s existing business landscape and consumer Today, Downtown Jamaica is a major transportation hub with 560,000 people passing through characteristics. daily. This includes, four subway lines, 48 bus lines (including 10 Long Island bus lines), the Long This CDNA features Jamaica Island Railroad, and the AirTrain JFK which connects the district to the rest of New York City, Avenue, Hillside Avenue, Supthin Boulevard, and 165th Long Island, John F. Kennedy International Airport, and beyond. This immense transportation Street commercial corridors in hub serves Downtown Jamaica’s four vibrant commercial corridors: Jamaica Avenue is home Downtown Jamaica which was to a dynamic mix of national and local businesses and a variety of retail and food services; conducted by the Jamaica Center Sutphin Boulevard features the AirTrain Jamaica Station, courthouses, and other professional Business Improvement District between July 2018 and January services; Hillside Avenue has large automotive-related businesses, cultural retail stores, and 2019. restaurants catering to a large Bangladeshi population; 165th Street Mall is a pedestrian area Key issues and opportunities lined with small businesses and the Jamaica Colosseum Mall. identified through this assessment will help prioritize SBS - supported local investments, and serve as See more on page 16 an informational and marketing Neighborhood Demographics resource for the neighborhood. Downtown Jamaica is demographically and socioeconomically diverse, with an approximate population of 68,000, and 61% of the population is foreign-born. Downtown Jamaica has a large presence of Hispanic or Latino (36%) and Asian (36%) residents, and a median household In This Report income of $46,778, somewhat lower than the borough-wide ($59,758) and citywide ($55,191) medians. Downtown Jamaica’s diversity is present in its unique restaurants and shops, historic Existing conditions, business data, and qualitative depictions landmarks, arts and cultural institutions, and vibrant commercial corridors. of the neighborhood were gathered from more than 832 surveys and various Future Opportunities See more on page 5 stakeholder meetings with neighborhood merchants, shoppers, workers, property Since 2000, Downtown Jamaica has been the focus of significant public investment. Major owners, and residents. investments include the $350 million AirTrain terminal; an extensive rezoning effort; and more recently, a $153 million commitment from the City of New York through the Jamaica Now! Action Jump to... Plan to support equitable growth in Downtown Jamaica. Currently there is more than $1 billion Key Findings 4-5 of private investment, resulting in more than 4,800 new apartments, 2,400 hotel rooms, and Business Inventory 6 500,000 square feet of commercial space completed and pending. Most recently, Downtown What Merchants Say 7-10 Business Outlook 11-12 Jamaica received $10 million in Downtown Revitalization Initiative funding from New York State What Shoppers Say 8, 12 which in part aims to prepare the local workforce for sustainable careers and make investments Physical Environment 13-15 to draw residents and visitors. Data Appendix 16-18 These investments and recent refreshed efforts at collaboration between various stakeholders are helping the community create and jointly pursue a shared vision for the district. With strategic aligning of resources focusing on the strengthening of businesses through commercial revitalization projects, both long-standing small businesses and new businesses in Downtown Jamaica will be better positioned to leverage these investments and serve a growing population in the years to come.
2 Avenue NYC Commercial District Needs Assessment NEIGHBORHOOD CONTEXT Downtown Jamaica
164 ST GOTHIC DR 86 AV KINGSTON PL
85 DR 148 ST
QUEENS BLVD
168 PL 168 167 ST 167 87 AV 86 AV NORMAL RD 87 AV 144 ST
136 ST HIGHLAND AV
139 ST 87 AV 165 ST
87 RD
HILLSIDE AV F
169 ST
163 ST 165 ST 88 AV 161 ST 88 AV 172 ST 88 AV PARSONS BLVD 2 Queens Public Library
145 ST Queens County 153 ST 150 ST 150 89 AV (Central Library) 134 ST Supreme Court Rufus King Jamaica 90 AV 89 AV Park YMCA Jamaica NYC Civil Court NYC Business Bus Terminal VAN WYCK EXPY WYCK VAN 1 Solutions Industrial SUTPHIN BLVD 90 AV Workforce1 & Transportation Career Center Jamaica 5
149 ST
138 ST 138 NYC Small Hospital King Manor Jamaica Center 168 ST Medical E ST 143 Business Museum Jamaica for Arts and Learning Support Center Performing Center 91 AV 4 JAMAICA AV Arts Center 6 146 ST 172 ST 3 Parsons Boulevard MERRICK BLVD ARCHER AV GUY R BREWER BLVD Public Space 93 AV J Z Queens County Long Island Rail Road Family Court
150 ST 94 AV 158 ST 160 ST DOUGLAS AV York LIVERPOOL ST College
95 AV 148 ST BRISBIN ST LIBERTY AV 0 0.15 0.3 Miles ° 97 AV 6
Points of Interest Notable Places Assessed Commercial Corridors 165th Street Mall Improvement Association BID 1 2 Arts, Culture, Educational Institutions Jamaica Center BID Public Facilities Sutphin Boulevard BID Public Spaces
Jamaica YMCA Queens County Supreme Court Neighborhood Events
Downtown Jazz Festival 3 4 Greater Jamaica Development Corporation Harvest Festival
Jamaica Arts & Music Summer (JAMS) Festival
Jamaica Avenue Weekend Walks: A Family Stroll Jamaica Performing Arts Center Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning Queens International Children’s Festival
Sutphin Boulevard BID Harvest Festival 5 6 Merchant & Business Groups
165th Street Mall Improvement Association
Association of Women Construction Workers of America, Inc. (AWCWA) King Manor Museum Parsons Boulevard Public Space Greater Jamaica Development Corporation
Jamaica Center Business Improvement District
Sutphin Boulevard Business Improvement District
Downtown Jamaica 3 KEY FINDINGS & OPPORTUNITIES Strengths Home to three performing arts centers, dozens of A wide variety of goods and services that are accessible landmarked historic sites, an 11-acre park, two colleges, to consumers of all income levels a major transportation hub, hundreds of independent High foot traffic during daytime hours which is businesses, and several national destination retailers appreciated by merchants, residents, and visitors Proximity to major institutional anchors and destinations Wide sidewalks on Jamaica Avenue encourage window like Queens Supreme and Civil Courts, Social Security shopping and provide space for spontaneous social Administration, JFK International Airport, St. John’s interactions University, YMCA, and York College Strong sense of community and nostalgic retro feel adds Major transportation hub with 300,000 people passing to the character of the neighborhood through every day on four subway lines, 14 bus lines, the LIRR, and AirTrain JFK Many active and engaged community organizations that promote small businesses in the area and celebrate the Low vacancy rate (9%) across the entire commercial neighborhood district and an abundance of affordable retail
Challenges Substance abuse and sales around the subway station Traffic congestion, limited parking, broken and empty make visitors, residents, and merchants feel unsafe tree pits, and a lack of open space negatively affect both the pedestrian and driving experience along the Lack of family-oriented spaces and activities, like sit- commercial corridors down restaurants and community events While the commercial district overall boasts a diverse Limited nighttime activities contributes to a negative retail mix, certain corridors are underrepresented in perception of safety specific business categories; ex. both Jamaica Avenue Lack of trees, street furniture, and other amenities and 165th Street lack sit-down restaurants throughout portions of the district makes it feel unwelcoming
165th Street Corridor Tabernacle of Prayer
Jamaica Avenue Corridor AirTrain JFK
4 Avenue NYC Commercial District Needs Assessment Parsons Boulevard Jamaica Avenue Sidewalk Clock
J. Kurtz and Sons Store Building Jamaica Avenue Corridor
Opportunities
Explore opportunities within the district for activating Support existing community-based organizations and existing open spaces along corridors to enhance quality actively encourage stakeholder collaboration to address of life various community needs Host community events and family activities that are Create programming, wayfinding, and marketing to guide inclusive of all groups to activate commercial corridors people to businesses, key points of interest, and other Host community and merchant-focused events that community destinations encourage shoppers to rediscover and regularly support Host workshops to educate business owners on digital local businesses and social media marketing to improve their online Coordinate with businesses, local NYPD precincts, NYC presence Department of Homeless Services, and social service Attract new businesses to vacant storefronts that meet providers to improve perceptions of safety along key the neighborhood’s demand for healthy food, family- commercial corridors friendly restaurants, arts, and entertainment Increase communication among merchants and connect them to business support services to help them attract customers and thrive What’s Next? To address these key findings and opportunities, Avenue NYC Grants have been awarded by SBS to nonprofit organizations. For more information, visit: nyc.gov/avenuenyc
Downtown Jamaica 5 BUSINESS LANDSCAPE Business Inventory 1,064 9.1% Total Number of Storefronts Storefront Vacancy*
*Note: In 2018, New York City’s 75 Business Improvement Districts reported an average ground floor Storefront & Retail Mix vacancy rate of 8.9% and median ground floor vacancy rate of 7.3% (SBS BIDs Trends Report, 2018).
Clothing & Shoe Stores 145 Professional Services 112 Beauty/Nail Salons & Barbershops 101 Vacant 97 Limited Service Restaurants 90 Medical Services 60 Electronics, Cellphone Sales, & Repairs 54 Jewelry Stores & Perfume Stores 50 Home Furniture, Department, & Hardware Stores 39 General Merchandise 37 Bodegas & Delis 35 Houses of Worship, Nonprofit Organizations, & Public Administration 31 Auto Businesses 28 Day Care, Preschool, & Education Services 27 Supermarkets, Grocery Stores, & Specialty Food Stores 22 Office Supply, Stationary, Shipping, Gift Stores, & Bookstores 20 Pharmacies & Health Stores 18 Check Cashing, Money Transfer Services, & Pawn Shops 16 Full Service Restaurants 13 Banks & Credit Unions 12 Dry Cleaners, Laundromats, & Tailor Shops 10 Tattoo Parlors 10 Bars, Clubs, Event Spaces, & Liquor Stores 9 Business inventory and retail mix data were gathered by Jamaica Coffee Shops/Cafés 9 Center BID through a comprehensive Arts & Entertaiment 4 area inventory of storefront Construction, Manufacturing, & Wholesale Businesses 3 businesses located along Hillside Avenue, Jamaica Avenue, 165th Gyms, Martial Arts, & Dance Studios 2 Street, and Sutphin Boulevard. Other 10 (October 2018 to April 2019).
165th Street Hillside Avenue Jamaica Avenue
6 Avenue NYC Commercial District Needs Assessment What We’ve Heard from Downtown Jamaica Merchants
How many years have you been How many employees do you have? in business here?
4 3 2 35% Mean Median Mode 21% 19% What kinds of resources would help you grow Businesses 13% 12% your business? % Merchant Responses Marketing support 24% Lease support 13% Years in Business Space improvements 13% Technology improvements (internet access) 13% 8 New equipment 10% 11Median 9 10 Training for staff 8% Mean Median Mode Access to financing 6% *Note: The mean is the average of all responses, the median is the middle number when all responses are arranged in ascending order, and the mode is the most common response. Assistance with regulatory compliance 3% Legal services 1% Do you own or rent your property? Other services 9% 89% 5% 6% Rent Own No Response
Over the past year, has your business What are the 3 biggest challenges facing improved, stayed the same, or decreased? your business?
Lack of parking/transit 16% 41% 34% 9% Crime/safety Improved Stayed the Decreased N/A or Same No Response Marketing/advertising costs
Source: Based on 247 merchant surveys conducted by Jamaica Center BID in Winter 2019. Downtown Jamaica 7 BUSINESS LANDSCAPE
What We’ve Heard from Downtown What We’ve Heard from Downtown Jamaica Merchants Jamaica Shoppers
What do you like about the What would you like to see more of in this commercial corridor? commercial district?
“High foot traffic.” “Better quality of merchandise and better customer service.”
“Many businesses have been here for a long time.” “More things to do when you come other than shopping and eating…” “Its proximity to public transportation.”
“Specialty stores, stores with more character rather than generic chains.” What makes this commercial district unique?
“Healthy food options and high end mom-and-pop stores.”
“Product meets demand, it serves the demographic of customers.” “Safety, police presence to monitor substance abuse around the train station.” “Diversity within businesses.”
“More family-oriented events.” “Convenience to everything.”
What changes need to occur in Downtown Jamaica to attract more visitors/shoppers?
% Merchant % Consumer Response Response
Parking 20% 15% % Merchant % Consumer Response Response Community events 17% 20% Safety 17% 18% Landscaping/beautification 13% 17% Storefront improvements 11% 7% Merchant collaboration 9% 0% Sanitation 7% 13% Street lighting 5% 6% Other 1% 4%
8 Avenue NYC Commercial District Needs Assessment BUSINESS LANDSCAPE 165th Street
Business Inventory & Retail Mix Most Common Businesses ot in o to 32 a t ai a on a o 25 112 9% ct onic on a ai 6 Total Storefronts Storefront Vacancy imit ic ta ant 6 n a c an i to 5 Do you own or rent your property? What kinds of resources would help you grow 95% 0% 5% your business? Rent Own No Response Safety 31% Space improvements 20% Marketing support 17% Lease support 16% New equipment 5% Training for staff 5%
165th Street Corridor Assistance with regulatory compliance 3% Technology improvements (internet access) 3% Hillside Avenue Business Inventory & Retail Mix Most Common Businesses o iona ic 61 ica ic a maci tica a t to 27 293 8% to at in 21 Total Storefronts Storefront Vacancy Da a c oo cation ic 21 imit ic ta ant 20 Do you own or rent your property? What kinds of resources would help you grow 69% 16% 15% your business? Rent Own No Response Marketing support 24% Space improvements 18% New equipment 16% Access to financing 12% Other 10% Technology improvements (internet access) 10%
Hillside Avenue Corridor Lease support 5% Training for staff 5%
Downtown Jamaica 9 BUSINESS LANDSCAPE Jamaica Avenue
Business Inventory & Retail Mix Most Common Businesses
ot in o to 59 a t ai a on a o 35 373 10% ica ic a maci tica a t to 34 Total Storefronts Storefront Vacancy om nit D a tm nt a wa to 31 imit ic ta ant 31 Do you own or rent your property? What kinds of resources would help you grow 94% 2% 4% your business? Rent Own No Response Marketing support 31% Technology improvements (internet access) 18% Lease support 15% Other 13% New equipment 7% Training for staff 7% Jamaica Avenue Corridor Space improvements 5% Access to financing 4% Sutphin Boulevard Business Inventory & Retail Mix Most Common Businesses
o iona ic 24 imit ic ta ant 13 108 5% ica ic a maci Total Storefronts Storefront Vacancy tica a t to 9 a t ai a on a o 8 o a D i 6 Do you own or rent your property? What kinds of resources would help you grow 100% 0% 0% your business? Rent Own No Response Lease support 18% Space improvements 17% Training for staff 17% Marketing support 15% Technology improvements (internet access) 14%
Sutphin Boulevard Corridor New equipment 12% Access to financing 7%
10 Avenue NYC Commercial District Needs Assessment BUSINESS OUTLOOK Downtown Jamaica Retail Opportunity
Residents spend Local businesses make Every year, $1.56B $201M $22M each year in each year in is spent outside goods and services retail sales the neighborhood
Retail Leakage & Surplus Surplus $0 Leakage
Department Stores (Excluding Leased Depts.) $73M Grocery Stores $71M Gasoline Stations $57M Other General Merchandise Stores $41M Sporting Goods, Hobby, Book, & Music Stores $25M Restaurants/Other Eating Places $25M Home Furnishings Stores $20M Clothing Stores $15M Jewelry, Luggage, & Leather Goods Stores $11M Retail leakage and surplus Office Supplies, Stationery, & Gift Stores $8M is the difference between estimated spending by Drinking Places - Alcoholic Beverages $7M local residents on retail Lawn/Garden Equipment & Supply Stores $5M goods and estimated sales by local retail businesses. Special Food Services $5M Retail leakage occurs when consumer demand Used Merchandise Stores $5M exceeds retail supply in $5M a designated trade area. Beer, Wine, & Liquor Stores On the chart, a positive Book, Periodical, & Music Stores $5M value indicates leakage of retail sales and represents Specialty Food Stores $3M net consumer spending that is being captured Florists $2M by retailers outside of Furniture Stores $1M the trade area. Retail surplus occurs when Electronics & Appliance Stores $4M retail supply exceeds consumer demand in a Other Miscellaneous Store Retailers $4M designated trade area. On the chart, a negative value Shoe Stores $4M indicates a surplus of retail Auto Parts, Accessories, & Tire Stores $11M sales and may signify a market where retailers are Health & Personal Care Stores $30M drawing customers from outside the trade area. Building Material & Supplies Dealers $144M
Source: ESRI and Infogroup, March 2019. Downtown Jamaica 11 PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT Business Trends
Change in Total Business Sales, 2011-2018 Change in Median Sales by Business, 2011-2018
Downtown Jamaica Queens NYC Downtown Jamaica Queens NYC 30% 50% 61% 91% 180% 150%
Downtown Jamaica Total Business Sales Downtown Jamaica Sales by Business
$78,203 $73,513
$70,502 $64,234 $61,752 $55,692 $157,529,188 $156,116,992 $156,088,937 $146,135,012
$148,566,337 $146,472,548 $45,540 $138,144,548 Sales Volume Sales Volume $40,861
$119,669,962 Year Year
Source: Division of Tax Policy, NYC Department of Finance What We’ve Heard from Shoppers What additional types of businesses would When do you usually go shop in you like to see? Downtown Jamaica?
Department and chain stores Weekdays 36% Healthy food options Weekday evenings 10% Restaurant and eating options Weekend days 20% Weekend evenings 6% Arts, entertainment, and community centers No set time 28% Family and kid-friendly businesses
How do you usually get to Downtown Jamaica? How often do you shop in Downtown Jamaica?
Subway 29% Daily 29% Bus 23% 2 to 4 times a week 17% Personal car 22% Rarely/Never 16% Walk 22% Once a week 13% Taxi/Ride share 3% Twice a month 10% Bike 1% Once a month 8% 3 to 6 times a year 7%
Source: Based on 535 consumer surveys conducted by Jamaica Center BID in Winter 2019. 12 Avenue NYC Commercial District Needs Assessment PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT Public Space Study: Parsons Boulevard Public Space The NYC Department of Transportation created a public space on the east side of Parsons Boulevard between Jamaica and Archer avenues to enhance the pedestrian experience and provide safer crossings along a Vision Zero priority area. This public space is part of the City’s Jamaica Now Action Plan, a $153 million neighborhood revitalization initiative announced in 2015 by Mayor Bill de Blasio, Queens Borough President Melinda Katz, and the NYC Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC). Funding for the project comes as part of New York State’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative. The project provides a vibrant space for community activities and events as well as amenities like tables, chairs, and planters for residents, shoppers, workers, commuters, and visitors. The former roadbed was transformed into a 26-foot sidewalk extension using paint, signage, and streetscape amenities. The movable tables, chairs, planters, and granite blocks help create a safer expanded space for pedestrians while elevating the look and feel of this area.
Parsons Boulevard Public Space
What is your relationship to this space? How often do you visit this space? % Space User Responses % Space User Responses Live in neighborhood 37% Daily 34% Visiting 28% Weekly 11% Work in neighborhood 24% Monthly 22% Other 11% Rarely 33%
How do you typically use this space? How did you get here ?
omm tin a in o 49% ain wa 29% o in 13% i at a 27% ic o am nt 11% a 22% ocia i in tin i n 10% atin 8% 19% a m a t 8% a i i a 2% ci in 1% t 1%
How much time do you typically spend here?
Walking through 65% Less than 15 minutes 20% Less than 30 minutes 7% Less than 1 hour 4% 1-2 hours 0% 2 or more hours 4%
Source: Based on 72 public space surveys conducted by Jamaica Center BID in Spring 2019. Downtown Jamaica 13 PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT
Public Space Study: Parsons Boulevard Public Space Downtown Jamaica is a lively, diverse, and densely populated community that is home to a variety of civic, cultural, and commercial anchors. Parsons Boulevard between Archer and Jamaica Avenue (the current location of the temporary Parsons Boulevard Public Space) serves as an entry point (an important node for first impressions!) to the E, J, and Z subway lines and numerous bus lines.
Harvest Festival 2018
When visiting Parsons Boulevard Public What are the top 3 things you like best about Space, do you shop at nearby businesses? this space?
Summer events and farmers market 74% 26% Welcoming and inviting space Yes No Accessibility
On the scale from 1 (low) to 5 (high), please rate your level of satisfaction with:
Cleanliness 3 Lighting 3 Attractiveness 3 Accessibility 4 Overall safety 3 Physical conditions/amenities 3 Programs/events 3
Source: Based on 72 public space surveys conducted by Jamaica Center BID in Spring 2019. 14 Avenue NYC Commercial District Needs Assessment PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT
Storefront Vacancies 164 ST GOTHIC DR 86 AV KINGSTON PL
85 DR 148 ST
QUEENS BLVD
168 PL 168 167 ST 167 87 AV 86 AV NORMAL RD 87 AV 144 ST
136 ST HIGHLAND AV
139 ST 87 AV 165 ST
87 RD ! ! ! !! ! ! !! !! ! !( !! HILLSIDE AV ! ! ! !! !!
165 ST ! 88 AV 88 AV 172 ST PARSONS BLVD ! 88 AV 169 ST !
145 ST 153 ST 89 AV
163 ST 134 ST
89 AV ! 161 ST ! 90 AV VAN WYCK EXPY WYCK VAN 150 ST 150 ! 90 AV Rufus ! King ! !! ! SUTPHIN BLVD ! ! Park ! !
138 ST 138 !! ! ! 168 ST 143 ST 143 ! 149 ST !!! ! !! ! ! !!! ! 91 AV ! ! !!! ! !!! JAMAICA AV !! 146 ST !! 172 ST ! MERRICK BLVD ARCHER AV GUY R BREWER BLVD 93 AV Long Island Rail Road
150 ST 94 AV 158 ST 160 ST DOUGLAS AV
LIVERPOOL ST
95 AV 148 ST BRISBIN ST LIBERTY AV 0 0.15 0.3 Miles ° 97 AV
Vacant Lots Vacant Storefronts Parks & Open Spaces An analysis of 809 storefronts along Jamaica Avenue, Hillside Avenue, Sutphin Boulevard, and 165th Street revealed that 39% of storefronts are in poor condition, 29% are in average condition, and 32% are in good condition.
Streetscape Observations
There’s a limited number of trees and greenery throughout the Auto-related businesses on Hillside Avenue park cars on the sidewalk, commercial district. Tree pits are empty or in disrepair (missing or which, along with frequent curb cuts, disrupt pedestrian circulation broken tree guards) making the corridors feel uninviting. and contribute to a negative safety perception of the corridor. Most blocks throughout the district appear to be well illuminated at Poor street and sidewalk conditions are evident across the neighborhood. night from both streetlights and storefronts. Lack of traffic lights and faded or missing crosswalks at various Jamaica Avenue lacks street furniture, plantings, public art, signage, intersections negatively impact pedestrian safety. and other visually appealing enhancements to improve the pedestrian experience. Due to heavy bus traffic, commuter vans, high parking demand, and high pedestrian foot traffic, traffic congestion continues to be a challenge in Downtown Jamaica.
Trash Overflow Vacant Storefront Graffiti
Downtown Jamaica 15 DATA APPENDIX Study Area Boundaries
Assessed Commercial Corridors Downtown Jamaica Context Area Trade Area Primary data on Downtown Jamaica storefront Demographic and employment data on pg. 17-18 Retail leakage, surplus, and retail opportunity data businesses presented on pg. 6-8 was gathered correspond to the Downtown Jamaica neighborhood on pg. 11 correspond to the 0.75 mile trade area. along Jamaica Avenue, Hillside Avenue, Sutphin context area. Boulevard, and 165th Street commercial corridors.
UNION TPKE
QUEENS BLVD 82 AV GRAND CENTRAL PKWY GOETHALS AV 82 AV KENT ST HOOVER AV 82 AV AUSTIN ST
83 AV 164 ST 83 AV 84 RD Kew MAIN ST Gardens 168 ST HENLEY RD
Jamaica 169 ST 169 MYRTLE AV 148 ST Estates
87 AV ST 188
118 118 ST
139 ST
126 ST HILLSIDE AV
172 ST 165 ST HILLSIDE AV
195 ST
112 ST 112 186 ST 89 AV 89 AV 178 ST Richmond 150 ST 90 AV
91 AV SUTPHIN BLVD Hill JAMAICA AV ARCHER AV 93 AV HOLLIS AV ATLANTIC AV
LEFFERTS BLVD LEFFERTS 157 ST LIBERTY AV 99 AV 95 AV 183 ST
121 ST 121 97 AV
GUY R BREWER BLVD DUNKIRK ST VAN WYCK EXPY 106 AV 101 AV MERRICK BLVD
102 AV SUTPHIN BLVD 189 ST 120 ST 120 111 ST 111 103 AV 105 AV Jamaica
177 ST 107 AV
142 ST
125 ST 125 130 ST 130
167 ST ILION AV South 109 AV 0 0.4 0.8 Miles ° 109 AV Ozone Park 110 AV
Area Demographics
Total Population Average Household Size Commuting Patterns 67,768 Downtown Jamaica 3.27 Downtown Jamaica 2,310,011 Queens 2.93 Queens 8,461,961 New York City 2.65 New York City 22,126 1,381 21,567 Work Live
Population Density (per square mile) Car Ownership
33,710 Downtown Jamaica 49% Downtown Jamaica Work in Downtown Jamaica, 21,150 Queens 63% Queens 22,126 live elsewhere 27,986 New York City 45% New York City 1,381 Live & Work in Downtown Jamaica Live in Downtown Jamaica, 21,567 work elsewhere
16 Avenue NYC Commercial District Needs Assessment Area Demographics
Race/Background Downtown Jamaica QN NYC Educational Attainment Downtown Jamaica QN NYC
Hispanic or Latino 36% 28% 29% 12th Grade or Less, 28% 19% 19% (of any race) No Diploma White alone 5% 26% 32% High School Graduate 26% 27% 24% Black or African 13% 17% 22% Some College, No Degree 12% 15% 14% American alone Associate’s Degree 7% 8% 7% Asian alone 36% 25% 14% Bachelor’s Degree 18% 20% 21% Two or more races 4% 2% 2% Graduate or 9% 11% 15% Some other race alone 5% 2% 1% Professional Degree American Indian and 1% 0% 0% Alaska Native alone Native Hawaiian and 0% 0% 0% Other Pacific Islander
Population Age Downtown Jamaica QN NYC Median Age Foreign-Born Population
Under 5 Years 8% 6% 6% 35.3 Downtown Jamaica 61% Downtown Jamaica 5–14 Years 12% 11% 11% 37.9 Queens 48% Queens 15–24 Years 13% 12% 13% 35.9 New York City 37% New York City 25–44 Years 32% 31% 32% 45–64 Years 24% 26% 25% 65+ Years 11% 14% 13% Income Employment Median Household Income Pop. Below Poverty Line Population in Labor Force Unemployment*
$46,778 Downtown Jamaica 23% Downtown Jamaica 65% Downtown Jamaica 10.8% Downtown Jamaica $59,758 Queens 15% Queens 64% Queens 7.8% Queens $55,191 New York City 20% New York City 64% New York City 8.6% New York City
*Note: Unemployment figures are based on data from 2010-2014. As of December 2018, the unemployment rate is 3.4% for Queens and 3.9% for New York City (NYSDOL); updated Local Jobs and Employment neighborhood-level data for Downtown Jamaica is not available. Local Residents’ Employment Jobs Located in Downtown Jamaica Educational Services, Health Care, 21% Educational Services, Health Care, 41% Social Assistance Social Assistance Accommodation, Food Services, Arts, 14% Accommodation, Food Services, Arts, 5% & Entertainment & Entertainment Retail Trade 13% Retail Trade 14% Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services 10% Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services 2% Transportation, Warehousing, Utilities 10% Transportation, Warehousing, Utilities 2% Construction 7% Construction 4% Finance, Insurance, Real Estate 6% Finance, Insurance, Real Estate 3% Manufacturing 5% Manufacturing 3% Public Administration 3% Public Administration 10% Other Services 10% Other Services 17%
Source: US Census Bureau, 2012-2016 American Community Survey; 2015 OnTheMap Application; NYS Department of Labor, December 2018. Downtown Jamaica 17 DATA APPENDIX Downtown Jamaica Transportation
GOTHIC DR 164 ST
KINGSTON PL QUEENS BLVD 86 AV
85 DR
148 ST 168 PL 168 167 ST 167 30 87 AV 86 AV NORMAL RD 87 AV 25 65 31 144 ST 34 136 ST HIGHLAND AV
87 AV 165 ST 20A 20B Q 3 17 44 1 2 SBS HILLSIDE AV 36 43 76 77 x F 43 43 65 68 88 AV 88 AV 88 AV 172 ST 17 169 ST 20A 25 PARSONS BLVD 20B 83 83 34 24 Jamaica 145 ST 65 54 40 110 89 AV 1 2 3 6 Bus Terminal 163 ST 134 ST 56 60 43 111 110 161 ST 8 9 36 41 90 AV 89 AV Q N N 30 54 44 112 111 76 77 1 6 SBS N N 165 ST 56 VAN WYCK EXPY WYCK VAN N 31
153 ST 90 AV ST 150 113 112 6X 22 22A SUTPHIN BLVD Rufus N N N King 114 113 22X 24 26 Park 114 110
168 ST MERRICK BLVD 24 ST 138 6 E ST 143 30 8 149 ST 24 30 31 17 31 9 6 8 9 91 AV 31 34 24 25 30 JAMAICA AV 110112 24 41 41 54 56 43 54 56 65 GUY R BREWER BLVD 30 Q 172 ST 44 4 SBS 31 24 ARCHER AV 5 20A20B24 25 Q 30 31 34 42 44 SBS 93 AV J Z 65 83 84 85 111 N N Long Island Rail Road 112 113 114 4 4X 4 42 160 ST 111 5 DOUGLAS AV 94 AV 158 ST 83 41 112 84 LIVERPOOL ST 34 65 25 150 ST 83 85 42 x N 95 AV 148 ST 114 64 AirTrain JFK 113 4 BRISBIN ST 6 N LIBERTY AV 4X 8 40 0 0.15 0.3 Miles 9 60 ° 97 AV
Downtown Jamaica Transportation
Bus Routes Bicycle Lanes NYC Subway
MTA Annual Bus Ridership Vehicular Traffic (2015) Average Weekday Subway Ridership (2017) 5.1M Q17 16,895 Jamaica Avenue from Sutphin Boulevard to Merrick Boulevard 39,326 E J Z Jamaica Center- 4.5M Q20 Parsons-Archer 12,578 Jamaica Avenue from Van Wyck 6.1M Q25 Expressway to Sutphin Boulevard 23,843 E J Z Sutphin Boulevard/ Archer Avenue/JFK 4.3M Q43 22,032 Jamaica Avenue from Merrick Airport Boulevard to 188th Street 22,421 F Jamaica/179 Street 9.0M Q44 8,974 Sutphin Boulevard from 90th Avenue to Hillside Avenue 6,593 F Parsons Boulevard 3.5M Q54 29,033 Hillside Avenue from Queens Boulevard 4,496 F Sutphin Boulevard 4.7M Q60 to Francis Lewis Boulevard 8,671 F 169 Street 6.1M Q65 8,098 Merrick Boulevard from Hillside Avenue to Liberty Avenue 4,972 E Jamaica-Van Wyck 3.5M Q111 3,682 150th Street from Hillside Avenue to Jamaica Avenue Bus Routes 10,159 Parsons Boulevard from Hillside 36 Total MTA Bus Routes Avenue to 93rd Avenue
2 Express Bus Routes X64, X68
Sources: MTA 2017; NYC DOT March, 2019; NYS DOT, 2016 Annual Average Daily Traffic data. 18 Avenue NYC Commercial District Needs Assessment Recent SBS Neighborhood Investments
Commercial Revitalization, Avenue NYC multi-year grant, awarded to the Jamaica Center BID, 2018-2021.
Downtown Jamaica Storefront Improvement Program, $500,000 awarded in storefront improvement grants (privately funded by the NYC Economic Development Corporation) to 32 storefronts in Downtown Jamaica, 2017-2020.
Neighborhood Design Lab services, awarded to the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation, 2019.
Façade Improvements, Avenue NYC grant of $30,000 awarded to the Sutphin Boulevard BID, 2017.
Business Attraction, Avenue NYC grant of $30,000 awarded to the Jamaica Center BID, 2016.
Façade Improvements, Avenue NYC grant of $25,000 awarded to the Sutphin Boulevard BID, 2016.
Merchant Organizing, Avenue NYC grant of $25,000 awarded to the Queens Chamber of Commerce, 2016.
Placemaking, Avenue NYC grant of $30,000 awarded to the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation, 2016.
Activating the Ave with Arts, Neighborhood Challenge grant of $75,000 awarded to No Longer Empty and Jamaica Center BID, 2016.
Business Attraction and Placemaking, Avenue NYC grant of $25,000 awarded to the Jamaica Center BID, 2015.
Business Attraction, Avenue NYC grant of $35,000 awarded to the Sutphin Boulevard BID, 2015.
Sutphin Boulevard Storefront Improvement Project, Neighborhood Challenge grant of $95,000 awarded to the Sutphin Boulevard BID, 2015.
Existing Plans & Studies Atlantic Avenue Extension Jamaica Now Action Plan A planned $20 million project by the NYC Department of Transportation The Jamaica Now Action Plan is a $153 million dollar neighborhood that will ease vehicular flow to the Jamaica Station area and create a new revitalization initiative announced in 2015 by the de Blasio Administration, Gateway Park to serve as a western entranceway to Downtown Jamaica. Queens Borough President Melinda Katz and the NYC Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC). The plan outlines a strategic path 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.
Sources ESRI and Infogroup, Inc. 2019 ESRI Retail MarketPlace Profile. Metropolitan Transportation Authority. 2017. Average Weekday Subway Ridership and Annual Bus Ridership. NYS Department of Labor. December 2018. Unemployment Rate Rankings by County. NYS Department of Transportation. 2015 Annual Average Daily Traffic, using Traffic Data Viewer.
NYC Department of Finance, Division of Tax Policy, using data from NYS Department of Taxation and Finance. Business sales are reported by tax year, which runs from March 1st to February 28th. Sales data are compiled from sales tax returns, which are rolled up by tax filer within a year, excluding returns with negative sales amounts. For each year, each tax filer is reported according to the address listed on their latest return. Large outliers were removed. NYC Department of Small Business Services. Fiscal Year 2018. Business Improvement Districts Trends Report. NYC Department of Transportation. September 2017. Bi-Annual Pedestrian Counts. U.S. Census Bureau. 2015. OnTheMap Application. Longitudinal-Employer Household Dynamics Program. U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2016 American Community Survey 4-Year Estimates, using NYC Population FactFinder. Downtown Jamaica Census Tracts: 142.02, 208, 212, 214, 232, 236, 238, 240, 246, 444, 446.02, 446.01, 448, 454, 460, 462, Photo Credits: Jamaica Center BID; NYC SBS.
Downtown Jamaica 19 The NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) helps unlock ABOUT SBS economic potential and create economic security for all New Yorkers by connecting New Yorkers to good jobs, creating stronger businesses, and building thriving neighborhoods across the five boroughs.
We would like to recognize and thank the following individuals and ACKNOWLEDGMENTS organizations for their contributions to the development of the Downtown Jamaica Commercial District Needs Assessment:
Queens Borough President Melinda Katz NYC Council Member Adrienne E. Adams NYC Council Member I. Daneek Miller NYC Council Member Rory I. Lancman Queens Community Boards 8 and 12 165th Street Mall Improvement Association Association of Women Construction Workers of America, Inc. (AWOWA) Downtown Jamaica Merchants Downtown Jamaica Shoppers and Residents nyc.gov/avenuenyc