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Transcript: Rep. Meeks Statement at Groundbreaking of the Crossing at Jamaica Station

April 26, 2017

Transcript: Rep. Meeks Statement at Groundbreaking of the Crossing at Jamaica Station

Transcript: Rep. Meeks Statement at Groundbreaking of the Crossing at Jamaica Station

Jamaica, NY—Yesterday, Congressman Meeks delivered remarks at the groundbreaking of the Crossing at Jamaica Station. His office helped secure $21 million in Federal New Markets Tax Credits, paving the way for the $400 million housing and retail project, which will bring an estimated 4,000 construction jobs to Jamaica. The remarks, as prepared, are below:

"Today's ground breaking ceremony at this strategic location in Downtown Jamaica where two vital thoroughfares intersect adjacent to where the Long Island Railroad, AirTrain, and the J and E subway lines converge proves that dreams can come true — if, and only if those who share a common dream come together, combine their resources and resourcefulness, and merge their imaginations into a public-private partnership that can become a powerful force for progress.

"We are here today precisely because of BRP Companies, the senior executives and other officials of the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation, the Empire State Development Fund, the Brownfield Opportunity Area Program of the New York State Department of State, the de Blasio Administration, and my office, which secured $21 million in Federal New Markets Tax Credits, came together, embraced the decades old dream of the revitalization of Downtown Jamaica, rolled up their sleeves, and dedicated themselves to doing their part to make this grand vision a reality.

"And because we did, because we refused to let anyone or anything deflate or deter this dream, on this 773,000 square foot location of Jamaica's good earth a mixed-use, mixed-income that includes 669 affordable residential units, community and retail space, a 187-spot parking garage will rise. This transit-oriented development appropriately bears the name The Crossing at Jamaica Station a $401 million development that symbolizes Greater Jamaica's crossing into a better and brighter future.

"Today's ground breaking ceremony is the largest private investment development in Downtown Jamaica in decades, and is expected to create approximately 4,000 new construction jobs and be completed by 2019. I commend the BRP Companies, the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation, the Empire State Development Fund, the Brownfield Opportunity Area Program of the New York State Department of State, Goldman Sachs, the Governor's office, the de Blasio Administration, and my office, for their combined efforts in converting this vision into a reality. Thank You!"