This week, Rep. Gregory Meeks, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and Mayor Bill de Blasio announced key elements of the foundation for the new JFK Airport construction projects that will drive a recovery by creating over 20,000 jobs, investing $10 to $15 billion in new infrastructure and boosting tourism to New York City.
De Blasio signed an emergency executive order to extend the Port Authority’s lease at JFK Airport from 2050 to 2060 without ULURP. Working with Rep. Meeks and Queens Borough President Richards, and building on the work of the JFK Redevelopment Community Advisory Council appointed in October 2018, the leaders helped secure the community benefits package and a commitment that the Port Authority will require the projects be subject to Project Labor Agreements.
The project will require 30% minority hires and 7% women hires across all construction trades with a higher 40% minority hires among Laborers; best efforts to hire from zip codes around JFK Airport followed by all of Queens.