Queens Vies for Slice of N.Y. Pie

Generally, when tradeshow managers think of having a show in New York City, they think of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center of New York and the Show Piers on the Hudson at the New York City Passenger Ship Terminal – because alternatives haven't existed.

But now, one of the boroughs – Queens – wants to have a shot at attracting some of that lucrative tradeshow business with plans of building some convention and meeting space of its own.

“We are in desperate need as a borough for this type of space,” said Jack Friedman, executive vice president of the Queens Chamber of Commerce. “We have no area where you can even put on a tradeshow for an organization as small as my chamber of commerce.”

Five plans are in various development stages in Queens, including one for Willets Point, which would include a 400,000 square foot convention center, in addition to hotels and dining options, Friedman said.

The $2 billion proposal for Willets Point recently was approved by the city council, he added.

NYC & Company spokesman Chris Heywood said the bureau supports the Willets Point redevelopment.

“We've always been a proponent of expanding our convention infrastructure to other parts of New York City, and we believe this will yield increased meetings and convention business for our city,” he added.

While the Javits Center has struggled for a decade to expand with no end in sight, Friedman said the Queens chamber commissioned a study to look at potential sites for a convention center, which pointed to Willets Point.

“It was just perfectly positioned as a place for a convention center,” he added.

The site is about a mile from LaGuardia Airport, is on the subway line and also on the Long Island train system, Friedman said.

Plus, it's convenient to John F. Kennedy Intl. Airport, which is eight miles from Willets Point, he added.

The downside?

“It's still 12 to 14 years out,” Friedman said.

However, the borough does have other convention space coming online faster.

One such project, Friedman said, is Aqueduct race track, which has plans included for 60,000 to 80,000 sq. ft. of meeting and conference space.

Buffalo, N.Y.-based Delaware North Cos. recently won the contract, and Friedman said he plans to sit down with company officials to discuss the possibility of a facility twice the planned size.

“Everything that's true of Willets Point is true of Aqueduct, only the opposite,” he added. “It's one mile away from JFK.”

Also, it's accessible by public transportation, and would fill the borough's immediate need for convention space, Friedman said. The completion date is slated for 2010 or 2011.

Three other possible projects also are in the works in Queens, according to Friedman:

• Citi Fields, which already has been built near the Willets Point site, has banquet space for more than 1,000.

• Silvercup Studios wants to build about 40,000 sq. ft. of conference space, but it's been on board for a long time, with no completion date.

• The Greater Jamaica Development Corp. is planning for about 30,000 sq. ft. of conference space at downtown Jamaica hotels.

Friedman said Queens doesn't expect to attract the auto or boat shows held at Javits, but looks to capture business from the regional market.

“We will draw so many new tradeshows that want to be in the city,” he added.

That includes shows currently being staged at regional centers and hotels just outside the city in New Jersey .

“If we build it, they will come,” Friedman said.