After years of planning and waiting, the second phase of Flushing Commons, a large-scale mixed-use development in downtown Flushing, officially broke ground on the 16th. The project will bring 1.3 acres of space open to the public, a brand new 63,000-square-foot YMCA, as well as residential, office, retail, and dining facilities.

Developers F&T Group, the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), and the YMCA of Greater New York held a groundbreaking ceremony in Flushing that morning. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, City Councilwoman Sandra Ung, and State Assemblyman Ron Kim were among those in attendance.

The second phase of the project is located in downtown Flushing, formerly a municipal parking lot. According to information released by the developer, the project includes approximately 132,000 square feet of retail and dining space, 123,000 square feet of office space, and an 18-story residential tower with 156 residential units. In addition, the project will include a new public plaza and amphitheater, adding community activity spaces to the densely populated downtown Flushing area, which has long lacked large public open spaces.

Of particular interest is the brand-new Flushing YMCA. Sharon Greenberger, President and CEO of the Greater New York YMCA, stated that the YMCA has been serving Flushing for nearly 100 years. She noted that the current Flushing branch is the most visited YMCA branch in the city, and the new branch will further expand its service area, serving more residents of Flushing and the surrounding communities.

According to current plans, the new YMCA will feature an 8-lane, 25-yard swimming pool. Greenberg stated that upon completion, it will be the largest pool in the New York City YMCA system. It will also include a gymnasium compliant with high school competition standards, approximately 40% larger than the existing gymnasium, and will provide community activity spaces and dedicated table tennis facilities. The new facility is targeted to open in 2029.

Huang Minyi stated that she previously served as a YMCA board member and is currently a member herself, and has personally witnessed the demand for related services from seniors, families, children, and immigrant residents. She mentioned that she had previously secured $1 million in funding from the City Council for the new YMCA. She pointed out that the project has been underway for many years, from its initial conception to its current groundbreaking, and the new YMCA will bring more services and activity space to the Flushing community.

Helen Lee, head of the Fulton Group, stated that Flushing has lacked large-scale public open spaces for many years. Upon completion of Phase Two, the new public spaces, amphitheater, YMCA, and commercial, office, and residential facilities will collectively form a new community space.

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