A $114 million project revitalizing Queens’ downtown Far Rockaway is completed early and under budget.

The project includes rebuilt streets that will ease traffic and make streets safer for pedestrians. The area also got a major upgrade to its sewer system.

“It created the backbone of the community,” Thomas Foley, commissioner of the city’s Department of Design and Construction, said.

What You Need To Know

  • A new $114 million project revitalizing downtown Far Rockaway is done early and under budget

  • The project took place on about 25 blocks, centered around Mott and Central avenues — the area’s local business and transportation hub

  • The project includes over two miles of new curbs and 2.3 acres of new sidewalks and a new 15,000 square foot pedestrian plaza for public events

  • Underneath the surface, new storm sewers will help ease flooding in the area

The project took place on about 25 blocks, centered on Mott and Central Avenue — the area’s local business and transportation hub.

“It’s so important for all New Yorkers to experience the infrastructure they need,” Foley said.

The new renovation also includes are over two miles of new curbs, 2.3 acres of new sidewalks and a 15,000 square foot pedestrian plaza for public events.

Meanwhile, under the surface, new storm sewers will help ease flooding and green infrastructure wil capture storm water.

“An amazing amount of work done in less than three years,” Foley said.

In addition, a new $33 million dollar library is also under construction, set to open next year. It’s 18,000 square feet — twice as large as the library it replaced.

Local business owners, like Angela Abreu, are happy to see the investments in the community.

“I think it’s making a change. I just hope we can keep it clean because it looks really nice,” Abreu, the owner of Valencia Cakes and Flowers, said.

In addition to the infrastructure upgrades, the area also underwent a major rezoning effort at the cost of $271 million.

The rezoning effort brought a new development with 1,700 affordable apartments and 100,000 square feet of retail space.

“The building, I think, is going to bring a change to the community,” Abreu said.

Abreu said she is cautiously optimistic the recent developments will be good for business as long as the community remains engaged.

“It’s important to emphasize that we work together and keep everything clean,” Abreu said.