The 60-acre area includes 32 potential Brownfield sites that are described by the state as dormant properties where contamination has impeded redevelopment.
Shulman’s group will hire consultants to determine uses for the area, lay out remediation costs and look at potential mixed-use projects. “This is the beginning of a long process, but we are very excited,” she said. “It will be so helpful to parts of Flushing that need it.”
The area is considered underutilized, with some vacant sites as well as the iconic U-Haul building near Northern Boulevard and a Korean supermarket, both operating businesses.
“I believe if you plan now, when the economy is down, you will be ready to put a shovel in the ground later,” Shulman said.
Eventually, when the waterfront is cleaned up, she said it could be home to “wonderful maritime uses,” including constructing a proposed promenade along the shore.
Gene Kelty, chairman of Community Board 7, called the grant “excellent,” adding that the polluted and neglected sites need to be addressed. “The area needs evaluation and how to mitigate it,” Kelty said. “I’m happy the state is paying for it, and it’s possible that federal funds could be used to pay for the cleanup.”
Mabel Law, director of the downtown Flushing Business Improvement District, is happy about the grant because she believes it eventually will connect people to the waterfront. Law noted that the Flushing master plan has designated 37th and 39th avenues as connectors to the river, but that the improvements done so far stop at College Point Boulevard.
“Cleaning up the waterfront is helpful because it will get people to go west. There’s not enough beautified there yet for that to happen,” she said.
The cleanup will also encourage connections across the river, either by a new bridge or a shuttle, Law said.
The city’s master plan calls for constructing a pedestrian bridge from 37th Avenue to Willets Point and three waterfront parks.
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