Nine stories not enough, city planners approve four more at "Target" building

[Alfster]

The NYC City Planning Commissioner approved a spot zone change yesterday, allowing four extra floors on the "Target" building (the old Jackson Theater) on 82nd Street. Clearly a blatant give-away to the real estate industry (the folks who run NYC.) This building will create a traffic nightmare, jamming up a key ambulance access road to Elmhurst Hospital. And make no mistake, this will be followed up by similar redevelopment of other smaller buildings in the area. 
 
Now the zone change request goes the the City Council where if tradition holds, the Council member in whose district the zone change resides gets the final word. (Francisco Moya.)

In this case, however, Elmhurst Hospital sits in Councilman Dromm's district and some believe he has reasonable cause to speak out in opposition to the zone change. We are talking about the major medical institution for a good chunk of Queens; what's more a major part of the city's hospital system.

Don't have time to comment much more now since I'm at work.

Don't worry about the increased auto traffic and lack of parking.  By the time this Target opens most people will be expected to ride bikes or take "uber" vehicles to get around.   

[Alfster]

Let me understand this: someone wants less parking than 128 spaces provided?
Sounds silly.
While I agree that the city should lessen the parking requirements for residential construction near subway stops based on the idea that people don’t need a car that does not mean we should reject a project for having too many parking spots.

At the same time, the city needs to do more to make the MTA not only more efficient, but be able to provide increased capacity to transport people.  The current system is bursting at the seams...

[DijoninJH]

The city does not control the MTA, so until the state and city come to together and really find ways to improve the system, there nothing going to be done to improve the overtasked and decades behind the rest of the world transit system we have.

[abcdefghijk]

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/09/06/nyregion/nyc-storefront-vacancy.html?action=click&module=Editors%20Picks&pgtype=Homepage

While we squabble over Target in Jackson Heights, this article is a true vision of the future of retail.  (Due to online shopping)

[JK resident]

This article shows us that all the stores in certain neighborhoods are owned by probably a few Uber rich landlords who can afford to keep storefronts empty. If you can’t rent at a high rent normally you lower the rent till you can find a renter. This has nothing to do with the explosion of Jackson Heights gentrification that is bringing national chains that realize there is a buck to be made in Queens. I don’t see an explosion of empty storefronts in our neighborhood.

[abcdefghijk]

This article shows us that all the stores in certain neighborhoods are owned by probably a few Uber rich landlords who can afford to keep storefronts empty. If you can’t rent at a high rent normally you lower the rent till you can find a renter. This has nothing to do with the explosion of Jackson Heights gentrification that is bringing national chains that realize there is a buck to be made in Queens. I don’t see an explosion of empty storefronts in our neighborhood.

Jackson Heights is part of New York City. And part of the world.  Exceptionalism, through a prevalent attitude in folks, won't save Jackson Heights' retail from general trends.   The future of all retail is in the article. 5 or 10 years down the track, maybe. But the writing is on the wall.

Once the younger generation, who have been brought up online become the majority consumers... only oldies will be left buying from stores.

[jeanette]

Once the younger generation, who have been brought up online become the majority consumers... only oldies will be left buying from stores.

wow

you need to get out more.

[abcdefghijk]

Once the younger generation, who have been brought up online become the majority consumers... only oldies will be left buying from stores.

wow

you need to get out more.

I am pretty sure that's what folks around the 1900's said when others predicted the demise of the horse drawn carriage.

[JK resident]

It’s the end of world folks! Weren’t we suppose to all driving flying cars like in the Jetsons by now? It is hard to predict the future but if you could can become very wealthy and move to one of these futuristic neighborhoods. I will just feeding my horse in my barn and keep living like an ostrich my head in the sand.

[jeanette]

My walker just won't go any faster!

[dssjh]

Once the younger generation, who have been brought up online become the majority consumers... only oldies will be left buying from stores.

wow

you need to get out more.

I am pretty sure that's what folks around the 1900's said when others predicted the demise of the horse drawn carriage.

Wait, a couple of days ago, you said these stores were mobbed by immigrants eager to spend their cash. Are they all senior citizens?

[abcdefghijk]

Once the younger generation, who have been brought up online become the majority consumers... only oldies will be left buying from stores.

wow

you need to get out more.

I am pretty sure that's what folks around the 1900's said when others predicted the demise of the horse drawn carriage.

Wait, a couple of days ago, you said these stores were mobbed by immigrants eager to spend their cash. Are they all senior citizens?

For Jackson Heights...what's happening in gentrified neighborhoods...will happen in 10 years...

It's the kids of immigrants who will be technologically savvy.

Also the future is exciting!  Change/technology is great. And not something to be feared.

[dssjh]

Trump university style pivots and dodges again. Hilarity ensues. But we agree, the future will continue to happen in the future!

[abcdefghijk]

Trump university style pivots and dodges again. Hilarity ensues. But we agree, the future will continue to happen in the future!

I will ignore the insult, DSSJH as you can't help yourself. It seems to be a compulsion for you.  Like a tic!

But here's to the future!

[JK resident]

Interesting article from the NYT

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/09/06/nyregion/nyc-storefront-vacancy.html