From the Queens Chronicle:Developer Rajendra Patel says the key to a successful business is building a strong relationship with the community, and that’s what he plans to do as he pursues his latest venture, a seven-story hotel in downtown Jamaica, scheduled to open in 2013.
Patel bought the site, a 75-by-84-square- foot vacant lot at 89-34 162 St., in 2007, for $2.1 million, submitted plans to the city’s Department of Buildings the following year, and obtained work permits from the agency about two months ago.
The hotel, a Comfort Inn, which is expected to cost between $7 and $8 million, will feature a breakfast area, fitness and laundry rooms, and a storage area. It will have 72 guest rooms and is expected to provide between 10 and 20 jobs for area residents with experience in the hospitality industry, Patel said.
Patel said he chose the location because it will provide a moderately priced option for visitors, is located between two major airports and is close to the Jamaica Avenue business corridor, where transportation, shopping, food and entertainment are readily available. But not everyone thinks it’s an optimum spot for such a business.
“It seems like an odd location,” said CB 12 Chairwoman Jacqueline Boyce. “Although I have not met with the developer yet for discussion, I wonder who would stay there. It seems to be a location that’s away from our major airports and might not attract people that are traveling for an overnight or week’s stay.”
Adjoa Gzifa, three-term immediate past chairwoman of CB 12, expressed similar sentiments, adding that hotels are better suited to main commercial strips. She believes that if the business were to fail, the owner would probably sell the land to the city and it would be turned into a homeless shelter — something that usually happens with unwanted properties in the district, which is already saturated with such facilities, according to Gzifa.
8 comments:
Another Notel Motel for Jamaica.
I'm a property manager in that area and it is booming. I get $8000 a month for 1500 squre foot store and I'm on the low side. There is tons of money being poured into this area. We have a major transportation hub rapidly developing in this area. LIRR, the Air Train to JFK, the "E", "F" and "J" trains,the bus depot, just to name a few. The real estate taxes on a 50x150 piece of commercial property can exceed $120,000 annually.
Let him build his hotel, he's smarter than you think.
It'll probably charge by the hour.
Come to Dutch Kills buster.
Where the locals are ignored and the hotel builders are centerstage.
Everyone from the community board, locals pols, even civic will embrace you with open arms.
We have a major transportation hub rapidly developing in this area. LIRR, the Air Train to JFK, the "E", "F" and "J" trains,the bus depot, just to name a few......
Be realistic bro! No tourist will get off the subway and walk 5 minutes in this neighborhood to a hotel. He'd probably get robbed on the way.
I find it so funny how ill informed people are knocking these new hotels. If you don't want to see neighborhoods grow and expand then leave, NYC has alway been an ever changing landscape. LIC used to be such a garbage area, now hotels are being built, bringing in tax revenues and jobs and running at about 85% occupancy, Jamaica is the same thing, used to be a garbage area (though still needs some help) and is now changing and developing and running the similar high occupancy. I suggest you all get to understand how those of us in the Hotel business are trying to bring more spending money into our neighborhoods here in Queens and other boroughs instead of your ignorant comments. I am not a hotel owner nor even invested in one, I work at one and am proud to be a part of one of the largest revenue driving industries here in NYC....get a clue folks!!
Myth
I find it so funny how ill informed people are knocking these new hotels.
REALITY
UNIFORMED = KNOCKING HOTELS.WHERE DID YOU PICK THAT ONE UP? YOU TALKING TO THE POLITICIANS, CAUSE THAT IS THE WAY THEY REACT WHEN ONE OF THEIR CONSTITUENTS THINKS FOR THEMSELVES
Myth
If you don't want to see neighborhoods grow and expand then leave, NYC has alway been an ever changing landscape.
REALITY
UM, I LIVE HERE AND NO, NY GROWING AND EXPANDING IS RATHER MEANINGLESS TO ME - DOESN'T ADD A PENNY TO MY POCKET AND JUST ADDS TO CONGESTION, NOISE AND HEADACHES.
NOW USING MY TAXES TO HELP MY BLOCK --- NOW LETS TALK.
Myth
LIC used to be such a garbage area, now hotels are being built, bringing in tax revenues and jobs and running at about 85% occupancy, Jamaica is the same thing, used to be a garbage area (though still needs some help) and is now changing and developing and running the similar high occupancy.
REALITY
THE AREA BECAME A 'GARBAGE DUMP' IS DEBATABLE BUT ITS PROBLEMS SURE DON'T START WITH THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE HERE AND INSULTING THEM TELLS US YOUR PERSPECTIVE. WORK FOR CITY PLANNING?
ISN'T IT GREAT HOW OUR POLS LET PEOPLE LIKE YOU INSULT US?
LOOK AT THE POOR FOLKS AT DUTCH KILLS - JUST WANTED TO HAVE FOLKS MOVE INTO THEIR COMMUNITY AND THEY GOT BETRAYED BY THEIR NEIGHBORS - - AND THEN ALL THE WAY UP THE LINE.
Myth
I suggest you all get to understand how those of us in the Hotel business are trying to bring more spending money into our neighborhoods here in Queens and other boroughs instead of your ignorant comments.
REALITY
HOOKERS, HOT SHEET TRADE, AND CAPITAL GAINS FOR INVESTORS. YEA, THATS THE TICKET TO MY PERSONAL WEALTH.
A HOTEL IN MY BACK YARD EVEN WITH A 110% OCCUPANCY DOES NOT MAKE FOR A GOOD COMMUNITY. BUT LOOK ON THE GOOD SIDE. HERE IS AN ADVANTAGE YOU DID NOT THINK OF: MAYBE I CAN TAKE VIDEOS OUT OF MY BACK WINDOW AND SELL ON EBAY.
Myth
I am not a hotel owner nor even invested in one, I work at one and am proud to be a part of one of the largest revenue driving industries here in NYC....get a clue folks!!
REALITY
CARD CARRYING MEMBER OF THE UNION TOO BUB.
Its a welfare hotel
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