Running head: GENTRIFICATION OF QUEENS

Gentrification of Queens Erin May Molloy College

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Throughout the course of Gotham: The New York Experience, I have learned countless new things about the city of New York. One particular sociological topic that has interested me since the first class is the concept of gentrification. Gentrification is characterized by a series of changes that influence the growth and development of a specific area in an urban city. These changes result in the revitalization of an area, creating more desirable accommodations, restaurants, and shops. New York City is constantly undergoing gentrification, which can be clearly seen in the various neighborhoods occupying the boroughs of Queens. Gentrification the production of urban space for progressively more affluent users has arguably been the most well-studied urban process in the past three decades" (Hackworth, 2002, p. 815). Gentrification affects everyone, regardless of social class, and is often a major source of conflict in many urban cities. When an area is undergoing gentrification, the demographics of the neighborhood begin to change (Grant, 2003). People with higher incomes begin to migrate to the area and start to out number many of the residents who have lived there for many years (Grant, 2003). With the development of luxury housing, there is an increase in the cost of rent and home prices. As a result, the total cost of living increases and many lowerincome families are often forced to leave the area since they can no longer afford rising living costs. This is one of gentrifications most troubling effects (Grant, 2003). Our first class of "Gotham: The New York Experience" focused on the New York City borough of Queens. Throughout the day, we explored several different neighborhoods, such as Jackson Heights, Astoria, and Long Island City. Our first stop of the day was in Jackson Heights, one of the Nations most ethnically mixed neighborhoods (Kasinitz, Bazzi, & Doane, 1998). Jackson Heights is most notably known for its Indian population, but immigrants from South America and South Asia also inhabit the area. In more recent years, the neighborhood has gained

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popularity due to its easy commute to Manhattan by subway. The E and F subways run express, stopping only twice before reaching Lexington Avenue making the total commute time around 15 minutes (Roleke, n.d.). Although the neighborhood still continues to stick its cultural roots, the neighborhood is slowly but surely undergoing gentrification. In the past decade, Astoria has become an extremely popular location for many people who desire the convenience of living near Manhattan without having to pay the significantly higher rent prices. The neighborhood also offers a variety of different amenities and entertainment options, such as parks, restaurants, shops, beer gardens, and even a museum. When we first arrived to Astoria, we walked along Steinway Street, which is one of the major streets running through the neighborhood. As we were walking to our first destination, the Museum of the Moving Image, it was definitely clear that neighborhood has been undergoing gentrification. With the creation of hip cafs, spas, and specialty shops, I started to feel like I was in Manhattan more than Queens. As a result of this, housing prices have increased and many long-time residents of the neighborhood have been forced to move out of the area. This reinforces the fact that gentrification represents another cycle of neighborhood change (DeSena, 2009, p. 1). Unlike Jackson Heights and Astoria, Long Island City has been predominately an industrial neighborhood up until recently. Long Island City is located in western Queens right next to East River. Because of its extremely desirable location, the pressure to build up the area has resulted in the construction of many hi-rise luxury condos, apartments, and offices. When we first arrived to Long Island City, I was personally shocked at how industrialized the area was. As we walked down the street towards the East River, the neighborhood became more and more gentrified. All of the new hi-rise buildings have spectacular views of Manhattan and have the

GENTRIFICATION OF QUEENS convenience of a new family-friendly park located along the waterfront. With the continuous development of the area, many of its original residents are eventually going to be forced out. While exploring Long Island City, we visited 5Pointz: The Institute of Higher Burnin, which is considered to be the worlds premiere graffiti mecca, where aerosol artists from around the globe paint colorful pieces on the walls of a 200,000-square-foot factory building (About 5Pointz). Unfortunately, plans were approved this past August by the New York City Planning Commission to demolish 5Pointz and build condos in its place. Although Long Island City is only experiencing its first wave of gentrification, it is definitely apparent that the city wants to continue transforming the neighborhood for use by the upper middle class.

The neighborhoods of Jackson Heights, Astoria, and Long Island City are all undergoing some degree of gentrification. City residents, urban planners, and local government policy makers often look to gentrification as a positive process that alleviates social problems, In other words, gentrification sweeps away deterioration and poverty and revitalizes the city (according to these policy makers), one neighborhood at a time (DeSena, 2009, p. 16). Although some may think that the gentrification of these neighborhoods will benefit the neighborhood, the consequences of gentrification will leave lasting effects.

GENTRIFICATION OF QUEENS References About 5Pointz. (n.d.). 5Pointz: The Institute of Higher Burning. Retrieved October 16, 2013, from http://5ptz.com/about/ DeSena, J. (2009). Gentrification, Segregation, and Negotiation in the City. Gentrification and Inequality in Brooklyn: New Kids on the Block (pp. 1-18). Lanham, MD: Lexington Books.

Grant, B. (2003, June 17). What is Gentrification?. PBS: Public Broadcasting Service. Retrieved October 16, 2013, from http://www.pbs.org/pov/flagwars/special_gentrification.php Hackworth, J. (2002). Postrecession Gentrification in New York City. Urban Affairs Review, 37, 815-817. Retrieved October 15, 2013, from the Sage Publications database. Kasinitz, P., Bazzi, M., & Doane, R. (1998). Chapter 8: Jackson Heights, New York. Cityscape, 4, 161-177. Roleke, J. (n.d.). Queens' Neighborhoods: Close to Manhattan. Queens, New York - Guide to the Borough of Queens, NY. Retrieved October 16, 2013, from http://queens.about.com/cs/neighborhoods/a/neighborhoods.htm