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From The Peopling of New York City

Struggle Over Space

Jackson Heights was created as an exclusive upper-middle class community. The majority of the residents were White. From 1960 to 1990, the White population of Jackson Heights decreased by 47.6 percent while the Hispanic and Asian population increased by more that 40 percent (Kasinitz, Bazzi, and Doane 162). The Black population of Jackson Heights has always been miniscule, even though Jackson Heights borders on Corona and East Elmhurst, two small neighborhoods with a fair amount of Blacks. While Jews began to move into the area in the 1940s, Blacks were excluded from the area until the Fair Housing Act of 1968 (Kasinitz, Bazzi, and Doanne 164). As the South American community began to dominate Roosevelt Avenue, many White residents insisted that Roosevelt Avenue should belong to the adjacent neighborhoods and not Jackson Heights. For many Whites, Jackson Heights ended on the north side of Roosevelt Avenue (Kasinitz, Bazzi, and Doane 165). There was a clear perception of boundaries amongst Whites unlike amongst Blacks and Hispanics. The majority of Jackson Heights residents refused to be affiliated with Roosevelt Avenue since they believed that Roosevelt Avenue was a “place of fear” (Jones-Correa 26).

Similarly, 74th Street has also caused tensions over space. South Asian shops have become highly concentrated on 74th Street even though the South Asian population is a minority among the residents of Jackson Heights. As a result, tensions have escalated between the merchants and the long-term White and Hispanic residents over a multitude of things, ranging from parking to the opening of new stores. Many old and deep-rooted businesses were being replaced by these new and successful businesses. Local residents fear that their familiar community is turning “foreign before their very eyes” (Kasinitz, Bazzi, and Doane 167).

Even though Whites have become the minority in Jackson Heights, they still dominate the local political activity (Kasinitz, Bazzi, and Doane 168). One reason for this is because they are the majority of the homeowners. Language barriers have also prevented many immigrants from participating in local politics. However, some immigrants vote using absentee ballots. There are also organizations, such as the Jackson Heights Community Development Corporation, that help immigrants with the political process (Kasinitz, Bazzi, and Doane 169).

Much to the new residents’ dismay, a section of Jackson Heights has been designated a historic district. During the landmarking process, numerous disputes rose between the business owners and landlords and the residents. Business owners and landlords argued that conforming to landmark standards would lead to higher repair costs and restrict a building’s use. The reason for designating a historical district in Jackson Heights was so the buildings could remain under the control of the White upper-middle-class. Only this type of owner could afford to keep the historical buildings intact (Jones-Correa 33).

As long as the various cultures exist, there will be a struggle for space. Apart from the struggle between public and private space, there has been a struggle for political power. According to Jones-Correa, new immigrants are considered “guests” by the established residents, where immigrants are supposed to learn the standards of behavior and assimilate seamlessly into the community (Jones-Correa 33). This rarely happens as immigrants are supposed to learn these standards by themselves and will only be accepted when that happens.

Impressions

As the White population of Jackson Heights decreased, the Hispanic and Asian population increased greatly. This was evident while walking along Roosevelt Avenue, where the South American community dominates. The majority of Roosevelt Avenue was populated with travel agencies and South American restaurants. However, the cooperation amongst various races was seen in a few of the Mexican and Ecuadorian food stalls where Asians were purchasing their food from. Two key food enterprises which were encouraging ethnic harmony were McDonalds and Dunkin Donuts. The customers of these enterprises were ethnically mixed with no clear ethnic dominance. The reason for this is that both food enterprises served a general American culture unlike the majority of the other restaurants, which catered to specific ethnic cultures.

Similarly, the restaurants of 74th Street have also encouraged ethnic harmony. The Jackson Diner, one of the most famous restaurants of Jackson Heights, made it clear that the general American culture isn’t necessary to unify various ethnicities. The Jackson Diner specializes in Indian cuisine, but South Asians aren’t the only ethnicity to eat there. There were numerous Asians along with Whites standing on the buffet line casually conversing with one another.

The historical district of Jackson Heights was the only section which did not have a sense of ethnic harmony. The design of the apartment buildings alone distinguished themselves from other buildings. All of the buildings were made of brick with some type of turret. The buildings also had European sounding names. The reason for designating a historical district in Jackson Heights was so the buildings could remain under the control of the White upper-middle-class. Only this type of owner could afford to keep the historical buildings intact (Jones-Correa 33). As expected, the majority of the residents of the historical district were White, with a few Asians. However, much more diversity was found in the modern apartment buildings. There was even construction occurring in Jackson Heights to build more apartment buildings around Roosevelt Avenue.

Although there was only a small section of public recreational space, it was being shared peacefully. A whole baseball team was practicing on the concrete field, while a few people were playing street hockey along with basketball. There was no real interaction between these groups which implies that there was some type of boundary. The people playing hockey kept themselves on one side of the field as to not disturb the people playing baseball.

Unlike the impression received from “Intimate Strangers: Immigration to Queens” and “Jackson Heights, New York” where ethnic differences were frowned upon, a walking tour gave the impression that ethnic differences were tolerated, if not understood.

Interview of Yasser Aziz Bassily of Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate

Q: Where is the center of Jackson Heights? Is there a street, shopping place, park or school that is at the center of your neighborhood? A: The Historical Area between 37th and 34th Avenue.

Q: What are the landmarks in Jackson Heights? How do institutions such as schools, religious institutions, and government buildings affect the way in which surrounding streets are marketed? A: The Historical Area is the landmark of Jackson Heights. The schools, religious institutions, and government buildings attract clients. The co-ops and condos are cheaper in Jackson Heights than the ones in the city.

Q: In which areas of the neighborhood are the real estate values high, and in which areas are they not? Why? A:The Historical Area; between 89th and 88th St. The other side of Northern Boulevard and Astoria are particularly low because they are a little far from transportation.

Q: What mediums of transportation are available? What are most efficient? A: Subways, buses. Subways are most effective.

Q: Where is your favorite place to sell? Why? A: *chuckles* I tend to sell everywhere in Queens.

Q: Where is the place in the neighborhood in which you would not recommend one to buy? A: It depends on the cost.

Q: What three things would you do to make Jackson Heights better? A: Being a resident of Jackson Heights, I can't think of anything specific to improve it. Its perfect.

Q: How big is Jackson Heights? Where does it stop and another neighborhood begin? A: Starts on 69th Street and ends on 94th Street. Afterwards its Corona and before Jackson Heights is Woodside.

Q: Are there unsafe areas in the neighborhood? Where is the crime rate high? A: I don't remember any crime happening in Jackson Heights, but if I had to choose an unsafe area, it would be Roosevelt Avenue.

Q: Where are the affluent areas in the neighborhood? For how much does property go there, and to whom? A: Historical Area. 1 bedroom co-op: $210-220,000 2 bedroom co-op: $250-300,000 Single Family: Around $500,000 2 Family: $600-700,000 Other Areas 1 bedroom: Around $150,000 2 bedroom: Around $200,000 Single Family: Around $500,000 2 Family: $600-700,000 (Its weird that Single and 2 Family houses in the Historical District and other areas are around the same price.)

Q: Where are the most property sold, with regard to volume? A: Historical Area.

Q: What is the average list prices to sale prices ratio? A: Apartments- About 5% Houses- 10 to 15%

Q: Is there anything else I need to know about Jackson Heights? A: I believe I have told you all necessary information about Jackson Heights. Normally people who buy usually know what is in the neighborhood.

Work Cited

Jones-Correa. "Intimate Strangers: Immigration to Queens." Two Nations: The Political Predicament of Latinos in New York. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, 1998. 13.

Kasinitz, Philip, Mohammad Bazzi, and Randal Doane. "Jackson Heights, New York." Cityscape 4.2 (1998): 161.

Sánchez, Arturo Ignacio. The Socio-Historical Development of Jackson Heights., 2003. Queens Community Board 3. Queens Community Board. 1 Feb 2008 <http://209.85.207.104/search?q=cache:CH4KfskB-EYJ:www.cb3qn.nyc.gov/file_depot/0-10000000/0-10000/2480/folder/27946/The%2520Socio-Historical%2520Development%2520of%2520Jackson%2520Heights.doc+jackson+heights+commercial&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=31&gl=us&client=firefox-a>.