Queens Community Board 12

The Queens Community Board 12 is a local government in the New York City borough of Queens, encompassing the neighborhoods of Jamaica, Hollis, St. Albans, Springfield Gardens, Baisley Park, Rochdale Village, South Jamaica.[1] Community Board 12 is the second largest Community Board in Queens, covering the largest area of the borough. Comprising districts 28, 29 and part of 27, Community Board 12’s northern boundary is Hillside Avenue; eastern boundaries are Francis Lewis Blvd (between Hillside ave & Springfield Blvd.) and Springfield Blvd. (between Francis Lewis Blvd. and the Belt Parkway); southern boundary is the Belt Parkway and western boundary is the Van Wyck Expressway. Downtown Jamaica serves as one of New York City’s major regional retail, employment and transportation hubs; is home to educational, theatre/arts, governmental and civic facilities, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Regional Laboratory, Social Security Administration offices, Queens Family, Civil, and Supreme Courts, York College-CUNY, Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning and The Jamaica Performing Arts Center.

Parks in Community Board 12 are rich in history and culture. King Manor Museum and Park was once the home of Rufus King, a distinguished lawyer and statesman who served as a member of the Confederation Congress where he introduced a plan that prevented the spread of slavery into the Northwest Territories and made his most famous contribution to American history as a framer and signer of the Constitution. Today, the landmarked site hosts a myriad of events including, sports games, concerts, tours and movies. The 54-acre Southern Queens-Roy Wilkins Park with its mission to enhance the quality of life of residents in southern Queens, and park users is far more than an ordinary park or recreation center. Named after the famed civil rights leader and former NAACP president, this unique public space is a cultural touchstone for many. The park's 425-seat theater is home to its own troupe, the Black Spectrum Theatre. The theater isn't the park's only innovation—a 4-acre vegetable garden gives children and adults the opportunity to grow produce. Roy Wilkins Park is well-known for other features as well, including football, track and field, handball, basketball, and tennis courts. Swimmers use its indoor pool year-round.


Leadership

CB12 consists of 50 local residents under the leadership of District Manager Yvonne Reddick and Board Chairperson Adrienne Adams. Ms. Reddick has been the appointed District Manager in 1994, she previously was a member of the Community Board for more than 30 years before the election of the previous District Manager, William Scarborough, to the NYS Assembly created a vacancy. [2] Adrienne Adams has been Chairperson of CB12 since 2012 when she was elected to replace the incumbent Chairperson, Jacqueline Boyce, who was criticized for weak leadership.[3]

Downtown Jamaica

Downtown Jamaica has seen major investment from the private and public sector over the past few years with the renovations to the Jamaica LIRR Station, a major transit hub for the Long Island Rail Road and the AirTrain to JFK Airport.[4] This increased transit has made Downtown Jamaica premium real estate for the hotel industry with over a dozen hotels projects underway[5] Queens Borough President Melinda Katz worked with members of CB12 to develop the Jamaica Now Action Plan to sustain and enhance the neighborhood as a unique central business district that evolves as a livable, cultural, and attractive destination for residents and visitors.[6]

Community Issues

CB12 has been working to address major flooding caused by the restoration of the Southeast Queens water table, previously suppressed by the pumping operations of the Greater Jamaica Water Company. With the closure of the water company, the raised water table has caused sewer infrastructure failures and basement flooding throughout the area.[7] CB12 is also on the front lines of the city's homeless crisis with a disproportionate number in the area. [8] Outside of traditional homeless shelters, CB12 is home to countless supportive housing programs for the mentally ill and group homes for the recently incarcerated.

References

  1. ↑ Queens Community Boards, New York City. Accessed September 3, 2007.
  2. ↑ http://queenstribune.com/yvonne-reddick-a-voice-for-jamaicas-citizens/
  3. ↑ http://queenstribune.com/adrienne-adams-chairperson-queens-community-board-12/
  4. ↑ https://www.nycedc.com/program/downtown-jamaica
  5. ↑ http://www.qchron.com/editions/queenswide/cb-residents-are-wary-of-hotel-glut/article_f4d4002e-c276-5371-b673-127951e0f9dd.html
  6. ↑ https://www.nycedc.com/resource/jamaica-now-action-plan
  7. ↑ http://www.qchron.com/editions/eastern/groundwater-study-could-reduce-floods/article_f7c7a228-30e6-56ad-9fb0-ae016661c0e5.html
  8. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2017-03-30. Retrieved 2017-03-29.
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