New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg announced in July 2005 that a joint venture of The Rockefeller Group and TDC Development and Construction Corporation has been selected to redevelop a five-acre site in downtown Flushing, Queens, New York City.

The developers expect to invest more than $850 million in the project, Flushing Commons, which will create more than 2,600 construction jobs and 1,900 permanent jobs. The project architect is Perkins Eastman.

“The Flushing Commons proposal features dynamic retail choices, reasonable parking solutions, and much-needed community amenities that will benefit the entire neighborhood and attract visitors to the area,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “It also provides an attractive town square area that will become the center of community activity, which was a major recommendation of the Development Framework for Downtown Flushing.”

The Flushing Commons development includes:

• A 1.5-acre town square of open space with a fountain plaza to be maintained by the developer;
• Parking for 1,600 cars with short-term parking at below-market rates, in response to community requests;
• A 62,000-square-foot YMCA featuring amenities such as a swimming pool, basketball courts, and an exercise room, with memberships available to community residents;
• Approximately 600 residential units;
• 420,000 square feet of office and retail space, including local and national retailers and restaurants;
• 36,000 square feet of space for community or cultural tenants.

The project will incorporate low-impact development techniques and green building technologies. The developer is committed to establishing job training programs to encourage hiring from the local community during construction and in permanent positions afterward.

Flushing Commons was selected as a result of a Request for Proposals (RFP) issued by the New York City Economic Development Corporation, based on recommendations made by the Development Framework for Downtown Flushing.