Case Study 1

A Non-Profit Developer Builds Relationships with Property Owners in Flushing

Background:

The Flushing-Willets Point-Corona LDC (FWPC) is an organization dedicated to facilitating development projects that help revitalize and stabilize the Flushing, Willets Point, and Corona communities in Northern Queens. FWPC administers a state and city-funded planning grant in an industrial section between Flushing Creek and downtown Flushing. The focus of its place-based, vacant land planning has been to advance a mixed-use rezoning proposal and connect downtown Flushing with the waterfront. Established in 2007, FWPC was a relatively young development corporation without established relationships with local property owners. The organization also faced the added challenge of bridging cultural and linguistic barriers when communicating with the predominantly Asian community of Flushing. As a result, the development corporation decided to engage the Flushing Chinese Business Association (FCBA), a civic organization with hundreds of local businesses as members, to help it reach out to property owners.

Strategy:

Flushing-Willets Point first developed a strong rapport with the executive director of FCBA by meeting and updating him regularly on the progress of its land planning effort. Over time the FWPC built a relationship with the business association’s executive director, who became familiar with FWPC’s planning work, and in turn introduced members of the FWPC to Chinese property owners. FWPC also translated important planning documents into Chinese and made certain that Chinese translators attended public meetings.

Conclusion:

Now, FWPC is introduced to new property owners through the FCBA or a trusted neighbor, and then returns periodically for individual visits to remind land owners of FWPC’s plans for the area and the projected benefits to the community. Through persistent outreach, the FWPC has established strong relationships with twelve (12) property owners of strategic development sites. More importantly, these relationships are essential in meeting and building trust with additional property owners. Flushing-Willets Point can now leverage its relationships with property owners to advance redevelopment of strategic development sites in West Flushing.

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