Retail

Unless a low-income neighborhood is void of basic services, allocating subsidies for large retail projects, is an unwise policy. Retailers, especially big-box stores and national retailers, often rely on part-time employees to keep costs low and provide little or no benefits. Despite New York City’s large population and diverse customer base, in recent years, officials have used public resources to develop and plan new retail destinations. In some cases, these proposals replace existing, successful retail operations. This section highlights some of these efforts. To learn more about the Administration’s plans in Queens, visit the Economic Development Corporation, Flushing Coalition for Responsible Development and Willets Point United.