(Specifically Cambria Heights, Laurelton, Rosedale, Springfield Gardens and St. Albans)
http://www.city-data.com/zips/11413.html
Members of my family owned homes in these neighborhoods (except Rosedale, which was still segregated) from the 1950s - present. What was once a destination for ambitious black American and some West Indian families is no longer. Since the crack epidemic of the 80s, many families abandoned their comfortable neighborhoods for the suburbs, Georgia, North Carolina, and Florida.
Current residents may be new homeowners with traditional families (husband, wife, kids), non-traditional arrangements, such as children living in parents' houses with or without spouse/ children. There are non-familial rental situations as well since people may be buying foreclosures and speculating where the neighborhood will go while collecting rent.
In thinking about what SE Queens will look like in 10 years, I look at certain indicators that make me concerned.
1) These neighborhoods are the antithesis of growth happening in Central and Western Queens, and Brooklyn.
2) School registers are low and underutilized, leading to closures and co-locations at all grade levels. School ratings are not strong at all.
3) There seem to be few outlets for teenagers and young adults which could lead to an increase in crime. As a matter of fact, there have been a number of backyard BBQ shootouts for the past few summers.
3) Nothing is being done to improve transportation and it is at least a 30 minute bus ride from these neighborhoods to the subway in Jamaica, and another 45 minute or more ride to any destination in Manhattan.
4) No large companies are setting up shop in these neighborhoods -- not even chain restaurants, which surprises me. I think something like Dallas BBQ or Red Lobster or Applebees would be a slam dunk.
Now, if more Manhattan-based employers set up in Jamaica Center, I think these neighborhoods could attract families again with the promise of shorter commutes.
Hispanic families looking for more space are beginning to move into these areas.
I'm hoping things will improve in SE Queens. My experiences growing up there were very positive.
But what concerns me is that SE Queens may become a dumping group for people displaced from neighborhoods in Eastern Queens, Brooklyn and Manhattan that are too expensive. In Chicago, the city gave people Section 8 vouchers to rent houses in the far south suburbs. What were once nice, middle class black neighborhoods have become some of the worst areas in the city.
What do you think SE Queens will look like in 10 years?
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