Rendering of Flushing Commons

A proposed $850 million mixed-use development was approved for
Flushing, Queens today, after fierce debate between small business
advocates and the pro-development set. The project — known as Flushing
Commons — is spearheaded by developers the Rockefeller Group and TDC
Development and Construction Corporation and will bring 600 units of
luxury housing, a hotel and 420,000 square feet of retail space to
Downtown Flushing. It has met with controversy
in the area, particularly among community groups that fear big
businesses will push out neighborhood-based retailers. Daniel Kung,
co-president of Union Street Small Business Association, said that not
enough provisions have been made to ensure the [more]