It’s one of the city’s housing hotspots. Long Island City continues to attract those looking for a hip place to live.
In fact, the Long Island City Partnership reports 20,000 new residential units are in the pipeline that will add some 75,000 people to the area over the next five years.
To keep pace with the housing boom, the development organization has announced more businesses are coming too - 270,000 square feet of retail space, to be exact.
"The area can use it for sure. There's not a ton going on, and I think the restaurants coming in and pharmacies and things like that, and stuff for every day, will help the area a lot," said James Colligan, a resident of Long Island City.
Some of the new businesses are located on Jackson Avenue. Toby's Estate Coffee is under construction. Chipotle is slated to open Friday, September 30.
"It's definitely going to blow up, and it has the transport and the infrastructure to be able to do that, so we thought it'd be a win-win for us," said Amber Jacobson, co-owner of Toby's Estate Coffee.
An event at the Michelin-rated M. Wells Steakhouse Wednesday night showcased the businesses coming and those already in the neighborhood. It's an area that's only expected to get busier.
"We have 30 different museums and cultural attractions around here already," said Elizabeth Lusskin, president of the Long Island City Partnership. "It's a destination for many people, but there's going to be thousands more."
Residents, especially parents like Colligan, are looking forward to benefits that will come with an expanding community.
"The more people come in here, I think the area schools will improve and there will be more resources for raising families," Colligan said.
Officials say Long Island City is a community changing to meet the demands of a growing New York City population.