"Today's vote by the City Planning Commission to approve the Flushing Commons and Macedonia Plaza projects moves us one step closer to reinvigorating downtown Flushing with new housing and retail options, hotel or office space, and much-needed additional parking for the area's residents and visitors. The transformation of an underutilized five-acre parking lot into a mixed-use urban center will establish a new center of activity for this vibrant community. Additionally, the Macedonia Plaza project will create a new, state-of-the-art YMCA to serve the community, anchored by one and a half acres of landscaped open space.

"This project, together with 140 units of affordable housing being developed by the Macedonian African Methodist Episcopal Church will create roughly 2,000 permanent jobs and 2,600 construction jobs. With the approval by Flushing Community Board Seven, business and community leaders, the Borough President, and now, the City Planning Commission, the Flushing Commons project goes to the City Council for review."