The $700-million project will begin with demolition of the existing five-story parking garage located on a site bounded by Queens Plaza South, Jackson Avenue, 42nd Road and 28th Street. QPMG, a joint venture between an the Louis Dreyfus Property Group Queens Corp. and Arete LIC LLC, proposes to build either a single tower or two smaller towers on the property. The complex will include ground-floor retail, office space and replacement of the 1,100-car parking facility. Construction is expected to begin in fall 2002.

City officials are calling the project part of an ongoing trend toward the development of Queens as an option for expanding or relocating businesses. "Following MetLife's recent decision to move 1,000 employees to its new Long Island City location and the continuing progress at Queens West, this project will ensure Long Island City's future as a major business district."

Borough president Claire Shulman says the development is "a milestone in the development of Long Island City. Many businesses are realizing that Queens, and Long Island City in particular, is within minutes of midtown Manhattan."