City to Build Three New Schools in Queens

"Rather than allowing this unused property to languish in the hands of a state bureaucracy, we are moving ahead with a terrific plan to put it back to work for the benefit of the children of New York City," says Gov. George E. Pataki. Borough President Claire Shulman adds "there can be no better use for this surplus state land than to provide high-quality facilities" and "relieve overcrowding."

The Dormitory Authority of the State of New York, which had owned the land, allowed demolition to begin before ownership was final to help SCA meet its construction schedule, which calls for the new schools to be open in September 2003. The Dormitory Authority holds tax-exempt bonds sold in prior years to fund capital improvements at the Creedmoor Psychiatric Center. The bonds will be defeated once the sale proceeds are received.

The project, at 78-70 Grand Central Parkway North, will be bordered by Grand Central Parkway on the north, Commonwealth Boulevard on the east, Union Turnpike to the south, and Cross Island Parkway to the west. Construction is estimated to cost $195 million. The complex will be called Glen Oaks Campus and will provide jobs for nearly 300 teachers and staff.