TABLE OF CONTENTS

Descriptive Summary

Historical/Biographical Note

Scope and Content Note

Arrangement

Administrative Information

Access Points

Guide to the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation Records
1967-2004
(Bulk 1981-2004)
Control # G-17

Finding Aid prepared by: Lewis, Ian

Archives at Queens Library

Queens Borough Public Library

89-11 Merrick Boulevard

Jamaica, NY 11432

Phone: (718) 990-0770

Historical/Biographical Note

During the first part of the 20th century, Jamaica was the shopping destination for Queens. It had amazing department stores, movie palaces and small stores that offered all sorts of items. People came from all over Queens to shop, relax, eat, be entertained and more. Unfortunately, in the early 1960’s as with most urban neighborhoods, Jamaica’s vibrant commercial strip experienced a stunning collapse.

Attempting to turn around this downfall, New York City, government agencies and local politicians instituted a number of studies, plans and more. In 1967 the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation (GJDC) was incorporated.

Greater Jamaica Development Corporation is one of New York's oldest not-for-profit local development corporations. Since its founding in 1967 by the Regional Plan Association and local business, civic and community leaders, GJDC has stressed economic development as it pursues its community-building mission.

GJDC envisions Downtown Jamaica as a modern and efficient mixed-use regional center offering a pleasant and productive experience for those who work, live, and visit here. GJDC sees Downtown Jamaica as a major employment center for enterprises directly connected to John Fitzgerald Kennedy International Airport, via the new AirTrain light rail service. GJDC also envisions a quality residential and retail community built around Jamaica's regional transportation hub, which provides easy access to a large skilled and educated multicultural work force.

GJDC is supported by corporate and foundation grants, by government contracts and by income earned from its project operations. It has an overall annual operating budget of $12 million and a staff of 30 professionals. It owns and operates several commercial projects including small office facilities, a food market, and a public parking system of facilities serving the downtown. Its activities include planning and predevelopment work, development projects with private developers through a special entity, a real property holding company, a small business loan fund, administration of government programs in industrial retention and commercial revitalization, and the marketing of the Downtown Jamaica area.

Greater Jamaica Development Corporation is a New York State membership organization with some 85 Members; it is governed by a Board of Directors of 25 business and community leaders.

Chronology

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Scope and Content Note

The Greater Jamaica Development Corporation Records (123 boxes, 123 cubic feet; 1967-2004; bulk dates 1981-2004) contains documents and photographs documenting the activities of the organization towards the betterment of Jamaica, New York. The collection is arranged in series named after various departments within the corporation. There are a few instances where different sub-series will have the same name. Due to the size of the collection the scope and content and inventory lists should be used together. Specific items and series will be given its own scope and content notes.

The Board of Directors series (8 boxes, 1967-2000) includes correspondences, meeting material, and committee notes related to the business of GJDC. The series is made up of five sub-series.

The first sub-series, Committees (36 folders, 1968-1998) includes documents on all of the various committees under the Board of Directors. This includes committees devoted to nominations, personnel, and real estate.

The sub-series, Correspondence (43 folders, 1972-1992), contain information regarding updates on GJDC plans, business dealings, and the general communication between members.

The sub-series, Meetings (6 boxes; 1968-2000), is the largest sub-series in the Board of Directors records and contain five sub-sub-series. All of the sub-sub-series contain minutes for the numerous meetings held in the course of a year at GJDC. The sub-sub-series include Annual Meetings (6 folders; 1981-1986), Board Meetings (2 folders, 1985-1986), Director’s Meetings (20 folders, 1982-1987), Member meetings (3 boxes, 1987-1999) Special Director’s Meeting (2 folders; 1986).This series also contains two photographs of the Suffolk Title control building from 1988.

The series Design and Construction Department Directors Records, (27 folders, 1987-1996) consists of documents that focus on projects to help develop Jamaica, New York through the preservation and construction of buildings. The department was also responsible for the creation of paraphernalia for GJDC events. Included in this series are notes on a dinner for then New York City councilman Floyd Flake, the “La Casina” project, and grant proposals for the Jamaica Farmers Market. The sub-series Jamaica Savings Bank Landmark Designation Campaign (14 folders, 1989-1993) contains material on the campaign to have the Jamaica Savings Bank, at 161-02 Jamaica Ave, declared a landmark. These records also contain 48 photographs showing different buildings and housing structures in Jamaica.

Downtown Committee Records (12 folders, 2000-2004) series contains material highlighting events they organized in Jamaica. The records include newspaper clippings on events, correspondence with donors, and memos on projects including the Jamaica 5K run, and the Jamaica station development proposal.

Executive Director Records (17 boxes, 1977-2002) is the largest series in the collection. These are documents from the Executive Director’s office detailing various projects, events, meetings, and correspondence between the office and other agencies doing business with the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation. This series contains eight sub-series.

The sub-series, Committees & Corporations (4 boxes, 1977-1998), highlights the different organizations and committees that have done business with the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation over the years. NYC agencies such as the Office of Economic Development, the Office of Business Development, and not for profits such as the Regional Plan Association have correspondence with the GJDC executive office.

The sub-series, Correspondence (9 boxes, 1979-2000), contains letters between the Executive Director and local agencies, businesses, state officials, and more. There are also documents detailing possible business ventures with banks, associations, and local businesses in the hopes of creating financial assistance for Jamaica. The sub-series, Meetings & Projects (4 boxes, 1970-1996), contains documents on meeting minutes for the GJDC’s annual, board, and director’s meetings. These documents include records about the restoration of the Dutch Reform church, the implementation of the Jamaica Station on 179th street, and on the Firehouse restaurant.

The Jamaica Arts Center (7 folders, 1974-1994), sub-series consists of information on a building that is now a New York City landmark and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The Grove (5 folders, 1993-1999), sub-series contains information on the building created to provide affordable housing for the citizens of downtown Jamaica.

The Jamaica Mall (12 folders, 1971-1984), sub-series consists of information related to the creation of the business. The Regional Plan Association (4 boxes, 1960-1991), sub-series contains correspondence with a company that was instrumental in helping the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation in the creation and development of York College in 1968. York College (2 boxes, 1967-1980, 1987-1998), is located at 94-20 Guy Brewer Boulevard in Jamaica, Queens. The GJDC was instrumental in having the college brought to Jamaica in the early 1970’s.

The Executive Vice President Records (2 boxes, 1996-2003; attached addendum (7 Boxes, 1977-1998) series contain records from the office of the Executive Vice President for the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation. The bulk of the series consists of the sub-series Contracts and Amendments (30 folders, 1977-1991), that contains various contracts that GJDC have for their property and projects. The Jamaica Business Resource Center (44 folders, 1979-1998), sub-series contains documents related to the business resource center established by the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation in the 1980’s to provide technical assistance to small business owners. Meetings (4 folders, 1992-1995), sub-series contains meeting minutes for Marketing and Personnel committees. Projects (34 folders, 1977-1996), sub-series has information about the Farmers Market and the La Casina/Roxanne building. Reports & Surveys (10 folders, 1987-1993), sub-series has information about 153rd street housing survey, which was done for the restoration and development of land in South Jamaica. There are also reports on South Jamaica and quarterly progress. Schedules (9 folders, 1976-1986), is a sub-series of notebook sized day planners for the Executive Vice President from the mid 1970’s to the mid 1980’s.

The Executive Vice President Records Addendum contains three sub-series. Department of Business Services Contracts (16 folders, 1996-2001) contains correspondence and copies of contracts numbered 1337, 1437, 1537, and 1637.Empire State Development Corporation (12 folders, 1997-2000) contains correspondence on loans and land development projects during the late 1990’s. Included is the sub-series Grants (8 folders, 1998-2000) which includes documents on the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation’s plan of bringing a Food and Drug Administration building to Jamaica. Economic Development Zone Contracts (5 folders, 1997-2001) has drafts and copies of contracts between the Economic Development Zone and the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation.

The Finance Department Records (12 folders, 1981-1984) series is one of the smallest series in the collection. The series contains documents on the financing of different Housing sites that the GJDC acquired to build and restore certain Jamaica developments. Also included are correspondences on different contracts.

The Farmer’s Market Records (2 boxes, 1982-1990) series contains documents focused on the planning, funding, and development of the Farmer’s Market on Jamaica Avenue. It contains documents on fundraising and a luncheon that was organized to present the idea of the Farmer’s Market to different organizations in the Jamaica community. The series has newspaper clippings on the grand opening of the market with a listing of the original tenants. There are also six folders of pictures of Farmer’s Market restaurants like Paradise Splash and a class trip to the market.

The Fundraising Department Records (3 boxes, 1982-1996) series lists vendors and organizations that helped the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation financially over the years through the funding of various projects. Companies such as Brooklyn-Queens Cable, British Airways, and Exxon Corporation are just some of the companies that the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation reached out to for funding and business partnerships.

The Gala Committee (10 folders, 1991-1995) series consists of correspondence, notes, and photographs documenting the planning and development of a gala by the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation. There are documents related to the funding of the event, programs, and the list of Gala honorees. The photographs within the collection are from various events that took place in the 1990’s in the Farmer’s Market building with people such as former Congressman Floyd Flake and former borough president Claire Shulman. The photographs also include pictures of Greater Jamaica Development Corporation members like GJDC Executive Director Carlisle Towery and William Laraia.

The Housing Project Manager’s Records (3 boxes, 1979-1991) is a series containing material documenting the housing and building projects involving the GJDC. The bulk of the series are correspondence between the manager and construction companies on the development and progress of various projects. A large portion of the series involves the creation and construction of the Firehouse located at 89-56 162nd Street. The Firehouse was a 2.1 million dollar mid-block development project that the organization now uses to rent office space to different organizations.

The series Industrial Development Records (26 folders, 1985-1990) contains four sub-series Economic Development Zone (12 folders, 1985-1990), Projects (11 folders, 1980-1990) Reports (3 folders, 1985-1986), and Photographs. The Economic Development Zone sub-series contain documents on the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation making an application to receive financial help for the downtown Jamaica area. The application comes after case studies, programs, and business studies of the Jamaica area. Projects consist of community, business, and commercial space profiles in Jamaica, Queens. It contains a folder with the mission statement of the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation. The Reports sub-series are IPIP monthly reports from 1985-1986. The Industrial Development Records series also contains many photographs highlighting many of the auto parts and salvage garages in the Jamaica, and the streets of Liberty and Montgomery Avenues.

The series Industrial Development Specialist Records (2 boxes, 1972, ca. 1976-1977, 1980-1987) contains correspondence between the Industrial Development Specialist and potential businesses that are interested in possibly coming to Queens. The series also has four sub-series: The In-Place Industrial Park (3 folders, 1984-1985) sub-series contain proposals and correspondence on possible development projects. 165th Street Mall Reconstruction (6 folders, 1984), includes documents on bids and appraisals that led to the creation of the 165th Street Mall. 89th Jamaica Realty Company (3 folders, 1984), consists of documents that highlight the Greater Jamaica Development Corporations loan application. The South Jamaica Project (7 folders, 1984) has surveys and reports for the proposals of a highway project to help in the revitalization of South Jamaica, Queens.

The In-Place Industrial Park (I.P.I.P.) (51 folders, 1990-1998) series has documents related to the creation of an In-Place Industrial Park by the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation to assess the industrial vitality of Jamaica, Queens and the capacity for more industry. These documents include correspondence with the Economic Development Program, the creation of an Auxiliary Task Force to help the 103rd precinct prevent crime in the area. This series also includes copies of the Greater Jamaica Development Corporations’ newsletter “The Gateway”.

Jamaica Business Resource Center (35 folders, 1994-2001) is a series focused on the workings of the Jamaica Business Resource Center that was founded by the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation in to1980 assist small business owners. The series has information on an Open House that took place in 1995 and has a collection of meetings minutes from the Board of Directors from 1995-1999.

Jamaica First Parking, 163rd Street Public Parking Facility (15 folders, 2002-2005) series contains documents about the parking system set up and financed by the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation to assist businesses, visitors, and Jamaica, Queens residences. The 2,000 car space system was set up to better facilitate the difficult parking situations in Queens. It received funding from numerous Queens’ councilmen such as Leroy Comrie, James Gennaro, and David Weprin. The series contains drawings, permits, and a time schedule for the program.

Jamaica Market, Special Events and Promotions Coordinator Records (22 folders, 1996-1998) contains documents, flyers, and correspondence related to the different events that took place in the Jamaica Market. Many events such as Gospelfest, Jazz after Dark, and children’s programs like “Breakfast with Peter Cottontail”. Press releases and publicity is also included.

Legal Counsel’s Records (14 folders, 1971-1976) series consists of correspondence with lobbyist and businesses in deals and proposals with the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation.

Public Affairs, Director’s Records (7 boxes, 1967-1998) have documents related to functions, events, and projects associated with the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation. The Public Affairs Director created publicity for all of the GJDC events through programs and newspaper clippings. The documents give insight into the various GJDC events like the funding for Chase Bank, vendors involved with the Farmer’s Market, and correspondence with area businesses.

The Public Affairs, Director’s Records is closely related to the next series, the Public Affairs Department (58 folders, 1980-2000). This series has correspondence with Cultural Collaborative Jamaica regarding the organization and publicizing of festivals and retreats to develop Jamaica through art events. There are documents for the Jamaica West Group, an organization in Queens, that worked with the GJDC to create better local services to help develop and clean up the area. There are also early records of inquiries into creating a Business Improvement District (B.I.D.) for Supthin Blvd. The series has the most photographs in the Greater Jamaica Development collection. The photographs show events from the grand opening of the new Jamaica based Food and Drug Administration building, the 1994 Jamaica Fun Run, the 1996 Jamaica Shines event, and the “Jazzmathon” at the Jamaica Farmer’s Market.

Project Director Records (5 boxes, 1971-1976, 1987-2000) series focuses on the different plans and goals to creating better business and housing facilities in Jamaica. Included are correspondence, notes, drawings of the development of the Roxanne Building, the Oxford Health site, parking garage on Parsons Boulevard, and “the Grove”. Correspondence (22 folders, 1987-1997) and Projects are sub-series (116 folders, 1987-2000) that document zoning, site developments, and the National Title building.

Portraits-Photographs (60 photographs; 1985-1997) series consists solely of photographs. People represented within the series are government officials from the local and state level, as well as, Greater Jamaica Development Corporation employees.

The Principal Planners Records (5 boxes, 1967-1978, 1991) series contains the correspondence from the planning office of the GJDC and developers. The correspondence focused on new buildings and businesses entering Jamaica, Queens. There are three sub-series: Downtown Idea Exchange (2 folders, 1974-1975) a sub-series about, the creation and development of plans to help boost the Jamaica downtown area. Real Estate & Finance Records (30 folders, 1989-1998) is a sub-series that contains correspondence, notes, and documents about the structural development of Queens. Included is the sub-sub-series Farmers Market (12 folders, 1989-1998) with correspondence, notes, and documents regarding the construction, development, and financing of the Farmers Market. Surveys on the environment surrounding the area and Government appraisals of the building are also included with these records. Projects (15 folders, 1989-1992) are the second sub-series in the records mainly focusing on upcoming projects in the GJDC’s future. The documents included in this sub-series look at the costs of these projects and the chances of getting financial assistance from loans and finance companies.

Real Estate Development Unit Records (2 boxes, 1984-1991) series consists of documents on the Firehouse. The Firehouse was a 2.1 million dollar funded part of the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation’s “mid-block redevelopment project”. The correspondence, and notes document to the funding, loans, construction costs, and updates to GDJC President Carlisle Towery on the Firehouse development.

The Real Property Development (5 boxes, 1950-2000) series is divided into five sub-series. Lots (24 folders, 1986-2000) is a sub-series that contains documents on auto parts lots located on Liberty Ave. Meetings (17 folders, 1977-1998) are a sub-series collecting the minutes of various groups and organization in Jamaica. Press (7 folders, 1993, 1997) is a sub-series made up of issues of the Gateway Newsletter. The newsletter was a weekly flyer that covered current events in Jamaica. Projects (54 folders, 1950-2000) sub-series documents potential projects in the GJDC’s future such as squatters, business retention, expansion, and recycling programs. The Reports (52 folders, 1990-2000) sub-series include Jamaica Business reports, the business attraction and expansion program, and I.P.I.P. annual reports.

Special Events Committee Records (2 boxes, 1988-1991; 1996-1997) series contain three sub-series documenting the organizing and planning of various GJDC events. The Correspondence (14 folders, 1988-1991) sub-series are letters between event invitees and the committee as they organize various events. The Events (24 folders, 1988-1991) sub-series document the actual events when they happened with floor plans and contracts. Photographs include picture of “Jazzfest”, “Gospelfest”, and a “Bridal Fashion Show”. The Gala (20 folders, 1990-1991) sub-series document the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation’s 1990 & 1991 Galas. These documents involve correspondence from the Gala committee, gala budgets, and publicity. There are also photographs for both events.

The Urban Development Records (4 boxes, 1979-1999) series contains correspondence, and meeting materials documenting the biggest development projects that have been done by the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation. The Urban Developer supervises all of the major construction that takes place for the corporation. The records contain six sub-series: Correspondence (29 folders, 1979-1999) deals with the Urban Developer keeping up to date with various. The Food and Drug Administration (16 folders, 1990-1993) sub-series contain documents about the 85 million dollar FDA facility, completed in 1999, at the York College campus. The project was completed with the help of Government officials like Congressman Floyd Flake and Senator Alphonse D’Amato. The Firehouse (19 folder, 1982-1992) sub-series contains information on the 162nd street building which houses not for profit organizations in downtown Jamaica. The Grove (7 folders, 1987-1994) sub-series documents the construction of a 54-unit building to provide affordable housing in downtown Jamaica. The sub-series Jamaica Projects (32 folders, 1969-1999) and Projects (47 folders, 1971-1999) both contain information on potential GDJC developments like a Parsons Boulevard Train station, a Union Hall Street proposal, and the project for public spaces.

Vice President Records (29 folders, 1975-2001) consists of letters updating the progress of various projects to the Vice President’s office. Projects taken up by the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation include the Food and Drug Administration building at York College, Chase Manhattan Bank, leases, and grant information.

The 180th Street Business Improvement District (2 boxes, 1987, 1989, 1991-1998) series contains information on the creation of a B.I.D. for 180th street in Jamaica, Queens. B.I.D. creates financial assistance and opportunities for an area to develop economically and structurally. This series contains studies of other business improvement districts, contracts, proposals for 180th street, and letters of support. The GJDC’s Board of Directors’ meeting minutes and GJDC bylaws are also included.

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Arrangement

Folders are arranged by subject and the contents of the folders are in alphabetical order.

Folders are arranged by series and sub-series. The series and sub-series are arranged in alphabetical order.

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Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Published citations should take the following form:

Creator of item, date of item (if known), identification of item, if a photograph its control number. The Greater Jamaica Development Corporation Records , Long Island Division, Queens Borough Public Library.

Access Restrictions

Open for research without restrictions. Manuscripts are only available in the Archives at Queens Library, please call (718) 990-0770 for hours. Manuscript users will be required to complete the division's Manuscript Usage Form and deposit their photograph identification or Queens Borough Public Library card with a staff member. The identification will be returned to the user after she/he has returned the material. Manuscript users will deposit all their personal items behind the reference desk. Manuscript users must use the division's loose sheets of paper for note taking. To reiterate, no pen of any type is permitted. Paper and a pencil are available upon request. Manuscript users may be required to use special handling procedures depending on the conditions of the material.

Use Restrictions

Permission to publish materials must be obtained in writing from the:

Archives at Queens Library

Queens Borough Public Library

89-11 Merrick Boulevard

Jamaica, NY 11432

Phone: (718) 990-0770.

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Access Points

Subject Names:

• Towery, F. Carlisle

Subject Organizations:

• Greater Jamaica Development Corporation (Jamaica, New York, N.Y.)

Subject Topics:

• Development
• Housing
• Parking facilities
• Transportation
• Urban renewal

Subject Places:

• Jamaica (New York, N.Y.)

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