South Richmond Hill, known for its vibrant Indo-Caribbean community and business has become a crossroads for many.
- Murtis or Hindu deities outside a storefront on Liberty Avenue in south Queens.
Once an area that was dominated by Italian-Americans, it has now become a mix of residential homes and apartments with limited backyard and lawn space. One notable portion of housing consists of remodeled homes, while other Indo-Caribbean immigrants have been noted to rent their attics and basements for a little extra income.
The number of illegal immigrants remains indefinite; however using the zip codes to identify census tracts in recent American Community Survey data leaves the number of Asian Indians at approximately 19,000 (this number includes those of south Asian and Caribbean Indian descent.)
The New York Times profiled the emerging immigrant enclave and its colorful businesses in their top five rising immigrant neighborhoods this past April. A slew of businesses in the area are members of the Richmond Hill Economic Development Council, a recent creation of partnerships between long time and new businesses in targeting primarily those of South Asian and Indo-Caribbean heritage.
Small businesses along the area’s prime intersection and hub of community life Lefferts Boulevard and Liberty Avenue, include a variety of outdoor grocery stores, a fish market, sari and Hindu puja shops, roti shops, eateries, real estate and travel agencies, immigration and legal offices, as well as a few franchises such as Dunkin Donuts.
The neighborhood is attached to northern Richmond Hill, comprised of Victorian style homes, located nearby Kew Gardens, along with Ozone Park and South Ozone Park—an area comprised of mainly one or two family residential homes nearby John F. Kennedy Airport. Lefferts Boulevard runs along the entire Richmond Hill area, acting as a prominent intersection for many residents and the A train to Lefferts Boulevard remains the area’s main way of getting to Mahattan.
Jamaica Hospital is the closest hospital to South Richmond Hill and the area houses one major public high school—Richmond Hill High School with a distinctively low graduation rate. In 2012 the high school was given a 7.5 out of possible 20 for student performance from the Department of Education. Separate Community Boards 9 and 10 regulate the district known for its Indo-Caribbean residents and the community is split up into different city council districts as a result of redistricting.
AREA COVERAGE: Mortgage fraud, vibrant culture, real estate and travel agencies, crooked community politicians, and the annual Holi parade have all been reported on by major news publications.
By: Kamelia Kilawan
An excellent overview of the neighborhood. Shows that you are digging in to the key issues that are important there. Do make sure that you follow the local/ethnic press in addition to the NYT.