After years of planning and anticipation, construction on Phase II of Flushing Commons in Queens began on the 16th. This new phase will bring residential, commercial, and office spaces to downtown Flushing, along with approximately 1.3 acres of new public open space—including a plaza, an outdoor amphitheater, and a brand-new Flushing YMCA. The new YMCA facility is expected to open in 2029, replacing the current, nearly century-old building located on Northern Boulevard.
According to data released by the development team, the Phase II project spans over 600,000 square feet. It includes a 66,000-square-foot new YMCA facility, approximately 132,000 square feet of retail and dining space, 123,000 square feet of office space, and an 18-story residential building containing 156 units.
Helen Lee, Executive Vice President of the F&T Group, noted that downtown Flushing is densely populated and commercially active but has long lacked sufficient public space. She hopes the new plaza and outdoor amphitheater will become a gathering spot for residents and a venue for community events once completed.
The new YMCA facility is a centerpiece of the Phase II project. Sharon Greenberger, President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater New York, stated that the Flushing YMCA is approaching its centennial and is currently one of the most heavily used branches in the city. The new facility is planned to feature an eight-lane, 25-yard swimming pool—which will be the largest YMCA pool in the city upon completion—and a gymnasium built to high school competition standards that is approximately 40% larger than the current one; additional spaces will be dedicated to community activities and table tennis.
City Council Member Sandra Ung, a former board member and current member of the Flushing YMCA, noted that she has long witnessed seniors, families, children, and new immigrants utilizing the facility’s amenities. She remarked that the project has finally reached the construction stage after years of coordination involving multiple City Council members. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards added that as residential and commercial development continues to grow in Flushing, public spaces and community services must expand in tandem. State Assemblyman Ron Kim recalls that after immigrating to the United States with his family about 40 years ago, his father took him to the Flushing YMCA to learn swimming and tennis. He notes that for many immigrant families, the YMCA is not merely a place for sports, but also a vital space for children to integrate into the community.