Alvin Benjamin, of Benjamin Development, and Leslie A. Lerner of The Beechwood Organization joined Jerilyn Perine, Commissioner of the city's Department of Housing Preservation and Development for the event. "Arverne-by-the-Sea is the largest tract of vacant oceanfront land within the city limits of any city in the United States," noted Lerner. "We will create a new community that the Rockaways and the City of New York can be proud of."

The seaside community, to be developed in several phases, will comprise 2,300 residential units including mid-rise condominium and rental apartment buildings, more than 200,000 sf of retail space, a school, a community center and 10 acres of parkland. Thursday's groundbreaking at Beach 73rd Street and Shore Front Parkway marks the beginning of Phase I: 32 two-family homes estimated to sell in the low $300,000 range.

Design concepts for the project reflect the architectural heritage of the borough of Queens, where Rockaway juts out at the southernmost tip. The developers own the land for Phase one and will acquire additional parcels as the city completes it review process.