Mall to expand at Rego Park site once considered by Wal-Mart. On September 15, 2005, the City Council approved a text amendment, special permit and modification of a restrictive declaration to allow the expansion of the Rego Park Mall in Rego Park, Queens. Alexander’s Inc., the applicant, and Vornado Realty Trust, the developer, proposed a 1.8 million-square-foot project consisting of a 600,000-square-foot four-story mall with 1,416 parking spaces at the base and two residential towers totaling 600,000 sq.ft. with 450 apartment units rising above the base structure. Retailer Century 21 will occupy 122,000 sq.ft.

The 277,000-square-foot project site, currently used as a surface parking lot, is bounded by the Long Island Expressway, Junction Boulevard, 62nd Drive and 97th Street. The site had been the subject of several unbuilt development proposals, including one in 1976 and one in 1986. The special permits required for the proposed project allow the developer to modify height and setback requirements for the residential towers; reduce the number of accessory off-street parking spaces; modify signage; and construct a two-level vehicular and pedestrian bridge across 62nd Drive connecting the existing mall parking garage with the new one. (read more…)