Mikki Columbus ’11Journal #1
It’s late May. After spending the past year on the Upper West Side, exploring Manhattan but not venturing much to the outer boroughs, I make my way to the E train. I am heading out to Jamaica, Queens where I will be starting my internship with the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation (GJDC).
GJDC is a local nonprofit community development organization that has been working hard in southeast Queens since 1967. The organization focuses on economic development as it pursues its community-building mission. GJDC sees Downtown Jamaica as a hub of excitement and opportunity. With the completion of the AirTrain to JFK in 2003, Jamaica further strengthened its position as a transportation hub. GJDC is looking to help build a quality residential and retail community around the regional transportation hub.
This summer I will be working closely with GJDC’s financial advisor in the real estate development group as well as helping other senior managers with various projects they are working on. I will look at some of the sites that GJDC has compiled and determine what role these sites will play in upcoming years to help GJDC reach its goal.
As I sit on the E train I realize that I am entering new territory. Though I have taken the E train to the AirTrain before, this time I am heading further — to the last stop. I have heard about Jamaica — my uncle grew up in the area and talks about how everyone would travel to Jamaica Ave to shop, back when Macy’s and other department stores were located there. But all of the major department stores left in the 60s for the suburbs.
As I step out of the train I enter a city different than that which my uncle grew up in, but one still bustling and vibrant. I feel somewhat out of place, crossing the streets in a business suit when everyone around me is in shorts and t-shirts, but I feel a sense of excitement as I head to the office, ready to help revitalize a great district in a great city.
Journal #2
I am halfway through my summer internship at GJDC, and the weeks are flying by. GJDC is an impressive organization that has a fair amount of influence in the region through its work with the local BIDs (Business Improvement Districts), city agencies and civil servants (such as local Congressman Meeks). When I inquired about the organization’s image in the local community eye, I got a few responses. Most coworkers said that the public opinion varied by day and depended on whom you asked. Most people appreciate what GJDC does, but not everyone understands its role. One response was even that some of the local population believes GJDC President Carlisle is a mafia boss who owns most of Jamaica. Despite mixed reviews and false rumors, GJDC continues to do a lot of good work. From building the Jamaica Market (where most of us and much of the neighborhood go for lunch) to staffing information booths throughout the downtown to organizing the highly attended Summer Jazz Festival, GJDC has been hard at work.
And what about me? I have been learning a lot about parking. Yes, parking. This may not sound that exciting — but in that assumption you would be mistaken. Let me explain: GJDC owns and operates garages throughout Downtown Jamaica that were previously operated by the city. The garages were sold to GJDC so that it could provide parking at a low cost and stimulate local retail and community development. This summer they did an RFP for the operator of the garages, and I have been working closely with the head of Real Estate operations within GJDC to analyze and vet the different proposals. Unlike many other owners, increased revenue is not the primary goal — the rates on GJDC’s garages are the lowest in the metropolitan area and are not easily raised. Instead, GDJC is more concerned about intangible things such as customer service and community benefit.
In addition, I have been analyzing a site that was supposed to be under construction but, due to the downturn in the economy, development has stalled. I have been looking at whether it is feasible to demolish the buildings and temporarily turn the lots into parking until the development of the hotel and residential tower begin. GJDC has been awarded a grant for the demolition that is set to expire before anticipated development, so we are considering the loss if the grant goes unused. Once again, the conversations are not simply about economics. First, there is a negative carrying cost on the compiled site. This is something that GJDC is willing to tolerate since the future development is important for Downtown Jamaica. Secondly, some are in favor of the interim parking regardless of the analysis results as they feel the current structures (and some of the tenants) are not in line with GJDC’s mission.
I have been struck by the dedication of GJDC employees to the mission of the organization and how the mission permeates all of the organization’s transactions and activities.
Journal #3
I can’t believe that my summer at GJDC has come to an end! I have really enjoyed my internship and the people with whom I have had the opportunity to work. I had a warm “send-off” lunch with some of my coworkers but left with a lingering sense of connection as I was working to the last minute on a proforma on one of GJDC’s compiled sites. (It’s an interesting site that is in the recently rezoned area around the AirTrain/LIRR.) If I thought that I had managed to escape without sad goodbyes, I was mistaken — as the afternoon rolled around and word spread that it was my last day (it was a Tuesday so people were confused and expected my term to end on Friday), people came into my office noting that they couldn’t believe it had already been 10 weeks, they felt I was part of the group, and generally wished me good luck.
As my term with GJDC progressed, I continued to be struck by several things. First, the organization really cares about the community and the local business people. For example — one of the tenants in the market was three months behind on rent. For most organizations this would be a simple matter of evicting the tenant and finding a new one. That is not how GJDC works. Instead, the restaurateur is taken to a restaurant on the Upper West Side to sit with the UWS owner to discuss the menu, cooking, and business tips. Secondly, I was surprised that even with significant outreach and outstanding transportation, it is still difficult to get larger retailers or national organizations to consider moving into Jamaica.
On the up side, I observed a number of developments that are helping to shape the Jamaica of tomorrow: a new luxury housing development opened around the block from our office; free Wi-Fi became available in Rufus King Park (complete with tables and umbrellas, of course); a new taxi station is set to open this fall outside the AirTrain/LIRR.
But there is still a ways to go and a lot more to be done. Despite guarded interest, it is still difficult for GJDC to attract “upscale” retail tenants and the rezoned sites around the AirTrain/LIRR are still awaiting development. As with any economic development, these things take time and patience. GJDC has been slowly chipping away and will continue to do so. Organizations such as GJDC are necessary for the envisioned change to take place and are important advocates for underrepresented areas. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to be a part of it.
