Ground Broken For Rockrose At Queens W.

Photo Dominick Totino Joining in the groundbreaking festivities at Queens West May 9 were City Councilmember Eric Gioia (second from l.); Charles Gargano (c.). chairman of the Empire State Development Corporation: Developer H. Henry Elghanayan (with helmet), and Borough President Helen Marshall.

Groundbreaking took place for a Rockrose Development building on the Queens West site in Long Island City, Tuesday, May 9, in front of the Pepsi Cola sign on the East River. The 394-unit residential complex, which will stand 290 feet tall, is scheduled to open in late 2007 and will feature 825 parking spaces and a supermarket to serve residents of Queens West and the surrounding community. Rising on 74 acres of prime waterfront property directly across from Midtown Manhattan, the Queens West development has become one of New York City's booming mixed-use properties in recent years.

Borough President Helen Marshall said that when Queens West is completed, it will include not only new housing, but a supermarket, schools and a library. Gioia continued to call for more opportunities for the middle class in the fast-developing area, including more home ownership opportunities and middle-income housing for New Yorkers.