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

[Shelby2]

I'm so confused about the status of this project. Here's a long story about the whole conflict that was published yesterday, but does not necessarily clarify what's happening now:
https://www.citylab.com/equity/2019/01/queens-target-jackson-heights-amazon-zoning-gentrification/580717/

What I got from the article is that the plans for Target are proceeding. It doesn't exactly say that, but it says that QNU tried to have the developer's building permit annulled. They requested that the judge either shut down the project entirely or impose a temporary stop-work order until the ruling by the city’s Board of Standards and Appeal, expected in March. However, the the Supreme Court judge refused to issue a stop-work order and deferred the case back to the Board of Standards and Appeal.

"A few days after the community trial, community members packed a New York State Supreme Court room on January 10, in support of QNU’s suit against the developers. They argued before the judge to have the developer’s building permit annulled. Construction on the project has begun and QNU says that with the case pending the developers have been fast-tracking construction efforts at the site in a race against the clock. They requested that the judge either shut down the project entirely or impose a temporary stop-work order until the ruling by the city’s Board of Standards and Appeal, expected in March.

The Supreme Court judge refused to issue a stop-work order and deferred the case back to the Board of Standards and Appeal."

Thanks for the close read. I think you're right. I am confused about what the current proposal is exactly though-- e.g. how many stories? The rendering on the latest article on YIMBY looked like it was only 2 or 3.

I was confused by that as well.

[JHMNY]

I think Target is valuable to many residents, and many residents want it here. The problem is the Queens Neighborhoods United group makes a lot of noise and is trying to make people believe that all area residents are against Target. And that is simply not true.

I absolutely prefer Target over a bunch of 99 cent stores.

Queens Neighborhoods United is making a lot of noise, but we also have political figures like Jessica Ramos and Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez who have expressed their anti-Target views citing the potential for gentrification.

I'm in agreement about preferring the Target over more 99 cent stores. I don't have statistics, but I think many immigrants will also support the Target, as they do some of the other shops along 82nd Street like the Gap, Old Navy, and Banana Republic. Again, this is solely based on my observations. The one argument I'm interested in hearing more about is the issue relating to access to Elmhurst Hospital. 

[JK resident]

Did you know that the whole area around 82nd Street was designated an Opportunity Zone by NYS which means they get huge federal and state tax breaks?

https://esd.ny.gov/opportunity-zones

[dssjh]

rich developers never spend their own money, just ours.

[JK resident]

Why 82nd and not 74th Street? It seems only the connected to the Governor get these tax breaks. Did the community get consulted as to which areas should be included?

https://therealdeal.com/2019/02/06/this-ny-lawmaker-is-going-after-opportunity-zone-incentives/

[the80s]

The latest on the Target in Elmhurst (and one planned for Astoria).
https://thecity.nyc/2019/05/target-takes-aim-at-queens-and-the-borough-fires-back.html

[ShinjukuBaby]

It's now down to two stories?  Will there be any residential?  This strikes me as very stupid.  We have a housing crisis in this city that is causing sky rocketing rents.  You do not solve that by preventing additional apartments from being built.  We need MORE HOUSING.

[jeanette]

Target, at this time and place, is planned as two stories: street level and underground. Local neighborhood organizations, however, are objecting to the underground portion. Said groups have other plans for the site, i.e. community facility. They are opposed to apartments.

[JH3525]

Shinjukubaby:  We have always had a housing shortage in NYC for those with a low budget.  Currently there are 914 apartments from studios to 2 bedrooms in the $1750 to $2500 range in Queens.  For those with a budget range of $1250 to $1500 there are 29 apartments available all studios.  Less than $1250 there is one availability which is one bedroom in a 3 bedroom apartment. 

[Donna]

The target in Forest Hiils is worthless,so small I felt was alot go nothing. I expect the same waste of space in JH

[Balulu]

Donna, I totally agree with you.  I had mixed feelings about a Target until I visited the mini store in Forest Hills.  There's really nothing much there that I couldn't find in our Rite Aides and local supermarkets.  The only thing different I saw was probably the home goods section, but I don't need to redecorate my apartment that often and I don't buy that kind of stuff from Target anyways.  Too bad.  I am tired of all the pharmacies, banks and 99 cent stores, but I just don't see what the Target will add to the neighborhood. 

[Shelby2]

The only small Target I've been to is the one above the new Trader Joes on the Lower East Side. I liked it. I would welcome it in the neighborhood. One thing I like about Target is their prices, which are generally more reasonable than places like Duane Reade, etc. I also prefer the shopping environment/aesthetics over drug stores. I hope we get our Target!

[jeanette]

We don't have many shops that sell housewares. There are two in JH on Roosie.

I bought my toaster oven at 8903 Roosevelt. There's also a housewares dept upstairs from a cosmetic shop somewhere below 82nd on Roosevelt.

I also buy stuff in the City. I almost never shop online. It would be nice to have one other option nearby.

[Olivesta]

People who are in favor of Target should make their voices heard too cos Queens Neighborhood United are very loud and claim to represent everyone.

Write to the Board of Standards and Appeals  re case  BSA Cal. No. 2018-166A (40-31 82nd Street, Queens). You can send an email.

https://www1.nyc.gov/site/bsa/index.page

And contact local politicians to make your views known.

[KGDHP]

People who are in favor of Target should make their voices heard too cos Queens Neighborhood United are very loud and claim to represent everyone.

Write to the Board of Standards and Appeals  re case  BSA Cal. No. 2018-166A (40-31 82nd Street, Queens). You can send an email.

https://www1.nyc.gov/site/bsa/index.page

And contact local politicians to make your views known.

AMEN! Will write the BSA today and will contact Dromm, Ramos, and Melinda Katz. Incidentally, I wrote the BSA the first time there was a hearing and also MK. I am so in favor of a Target. As I've said in other threads, QNU is a hateful group who somehow claim to represent the views of the Borough, even though they have like 5 members. Go figure.