
Public School 48. Image Credit: LPC/Lisa Kersavage
PS 48 is the first landmark to undergo its entire designation public hearing process over Zoom. On September 22, 2020, the Landmarks Preservation Commission designated Public School 48, also known as The Robert E. Peary School in Jamaica, Queens, as an individual landmark. PS 48 is located on 108th Ave and 155th Street, and is a three-story art deco style public school building. PS 48 is the first building to be designated an individual landmark in South Jamaica, and is the second art deco building designated as a landmark in New York City. For CityLand’s past coverage on Public School 48, click here. (more…)

Public School 48 in Jamaica, Queens/Image Credit: LPC
The public school building’s design and details set it apart from other school buildings built during the early 20th century. On June 9, 2020, the Landmarks Preservation Commission voted to calendar Public School 48 in Jamaica, Queens for designation as an individual landmark. Public School 48, located at 155-02 108th Avenue, is an Art Deco style three-story public school building designed by Walter C. Martin.
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Image Credit: GF55 Partners/HPD
The new building will have a variety of amenities and 111 parking spaces for residents. On February 12, 2019, HPD and HDC announced the completion of Alvista Towers, a 380-unit, affordable housing development in Jamaica, Queens. City agencies and private sector firms came together to develop this project as part of the City’s affordable housing initiative. The involved parties were the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), New York City Housing Development Corporation (HDC), Council Member I. Daneek Miller, the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation, Phoenix Realty Group, Goldman Sachs, Wells Fargo, Settlement Housing Fund, the New York City Housing Partnership, and Artimus as the developer of the project. The development was the result of the Special Downtown Jamaica Rezoning, which was adopted by the City in 2007 to foster transit-oriented development in Jamaica.
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Image Credit: NYC HPD
On December 9, 2022, city officials celebrated the opening of the Tree of Life affordable housing development with representatives from First Jamaica Community and Urban Development Corporation, Bluestone Organization and other project partners. The Tree of Life development is located at 89-46 164th Street. (more…)

Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. announces Operation Urban Sustainability on Earth Day. Image credit: Queens Borough President’s Office/Twitter.
On April 22, 2022, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. announced the start of Operation Urban Sustainability, a group that will consist of borough and city leaders in sustainability and resiliency who will work together to guide environmental initiatives in Queens. In recent years, Queens has seen devastating flooding, including last year’s Hurricane Ida, where dangerous flash flooding killed thirteen people, mostly in Queens. The announcement is part of a growing response on a borough and citywide level to address environmental concerns and protect New Yorkers. (more…)