Photo: Woodhaven Business Improvement District Executive Director Maria Thomson (with microphone) last Saturday at the Woodhaven Residents’ Block Association meeting was peppered with questions about the current state of Jamaica Avenue. Forum Photo by Michael V. Cusenza.
Some Woodhaven residents in recent weeks have expressed frustration with the current business conditions of Jamaica Avenue—specifically the proliferation of 99-cent stores, delis and the perception of vacancies along the historic commercial strip.
In order to address these and any other concerns with the thoroughfare, the Woodhaven Residents’ Block Association last Saturday featured Woodhaven Business Improvement District Executive Director Maria Thomson as the guest speaker at the civic’s monthly meeting.
Thomson, who is also a long-time member of Community Board 9, has been a familiar face and community leader in south Queens for decades.
At one point, toward the end of Maria’s remarks and the meeting, Alex Blenkinsopp, director of communications for the WRBA, quickly polled the audience: “Who thinks Jamaica Avenue is in great shape?”
No one raised a hand.
Blenkinsopp turned to Thomson and asked, “What grade would you give the BID?”
“We’re governed by the city of New York—they gave us an A- /B-,” Thomson answered.
“Our gripe is: What is the future of Jamaica Avenue?” said Woodhaven resident Erol Bal. “I was born and raised here, I want to stay here, I want to raise my kids here—but there is nothing keeping me here.”
Bal and several others raised examples of popular commercial strips in Queens, such as Austin Street in Forest Hills, as ideal commerce districts that are more attractive to shoppers and prospective residents than Jamaica Avenue.
“I know there is a lot of dissatisfaction with Jamaica Avenue,” Blenkinsopp said on Tuesday. “Maria works really hard, but even she acknowledges that there are problems. There is no dispute that there should be improvements made.”
Thomson said that she would welcome input from any organization or individual.
On Monday, Wendell told The Forum that, as a homeowner and investor in the future of Woodhaven, he’d like to see a long range plan for the development of business on the avenue.
“I think a great step forward would be to survey the consumers of this community to see what they like or don’t like about our shopping district and what kind of stores they would like to see do business in Woodhaven,” he said. “In other words, instead of waiting for suggestions to come in, I think there needs to be an effort to go out and speak to the consumers and ask them what they want.”
Blenkinsopp applauded Thomson for speaking at the meeting.
“I hope she takes steps to incorporate willing residents’ creative ideas into the way the BID serves our community,” he said.
By Michael V. Cusenza michael@theforumnewsgroup.com
