In the neighborhood of College Point in northern Queens, a small conflict is flying under the radar. Known as a quiet and secluded sector of Queens, over the last decade or so, the culture of the neighborhood has changed, slowly but gradually. College Point has always been known for its quaint and unassuming residential homes, coupled with a lot of natural beauty and an amazing view of Manhattan’s skyline. The big change that has come over the neighborhood has been the rapid construction of high-priced condominiums. Estates like Powell Cove Estates, Riviera Court, Bay Bridge Estates, and Edgewater Estates, according to many locals, have taken away from the natural beauty that was the main staple and attraction of the neighborhood. 
Residents like Annie Lee lived in College point way before all of the condominiums were even built. A 20-year resident, she has seen the gradual evolution of the neighborhood. “I guess it’s easy to say that I’m biased. I’ve lived in the same house for over 20 years now and I hate all of these new condos. I can barely see the Manhattan skyline anymore,” says Lee. Like Lee, a lot of people in the neighborhood are enraged over the loss of their clear cut views of the Manhattan skyline. “ I mean…. it’s beautiful….. it was always one of the perks of living in this neighborhood. The schools aren’t particularly great and the roads are horrendous, but at least we had that view,” says Lee.
In 2005 the Department of City Planning approved the rezoning of homes in College Point Queens. The City rezoned the area to build more residential homes and bring back the quiet and residential feel of the neighborhood. However, even with these zoning changes, not much has changed. In 2010 Powell Cove Estates finished construction on their new condominiums. For an area that was supposed to dig back into its roots, it doesn’t seem like much has changed from the rezoning.
Not everyone in the neighborhood is angry over the building of these homes. Jonathan Baek, a tenant of one of these brand new homes in Powell Coves, doesn’t understand all the uproar. “ The condo I just moved into is awesome. What is there to complain about? Don’t these condos just help local businesses and large businesses like Target and Old Navy? Who cares if I have to pay for the view that I get? It’s definitely worth it,” says Baek. It is true that due to the rise in population in the neighborhood, large chain businesses like BJ’s Wholesale and Target have seen business boom. Local malls like the one on 20th Avenue in College Point are extremely busy and packed with shoppers throughout the week. 
It is actually these shoppers who are adding fuel to the fire to those who oppose the added condos in the neighborhood. Due to the rise in population in the neighborhood, traffic and parking have become major issues. College Point was always notorious for its narrow roads and high number of one-way streets. Due to the added amount of cars and tenants in the neighborhood, it is now close to impossible to ever find parking after eight at night. This is unheard of for a neighborhood that is supposed to be known as “secluded.” “ How is it possible that I come home at 7:30 and I can’t find a single parking spot anywhere near my house? I used to know every car that was parked on this block, and now I have no idea who these people are,” says Richard Tam, another long-time resident of College Point. “ Not only has College Point become super congested, but just look around. These condos have just ruined a lot of the natural beauty we used to have here. And with all these people moving into the neighborhood, why don’t they build some more parks or at least expand the ones we have?” says Tam. Tam’s point is well taken. There definitely aren’t as many trees now and a lot of the wild life has begun to disappear, replaced by a large number of raccoons that lurk around the neighborhood prowling for garbage. The parks have also become a topic of discussion. While the number of children in the neighborhood has gone up exponentially, nothing has been altered in the park and there are currently no plans to build another one.
Although there are many complaints and many disgruntled residents, many feel that there really isn’t anything that the
people of College Point can do. “ I think the neighborhood just needs to accept the fact that College Point is growing. I can understand that people really loved nature, but its not like the whole view of the skyline is gone and the park is still jam-packed with huge trees. Honestly, I only see the condos as positive additions to the neighborhood,” says Jonathan Baek.
Whether or not the people of College Point will ever adapt to these changes is hard to predict. Still, the sad truth is that a lot of residents will have to accept the fact that their old beloved College Point will never be the same again.