Terminal 6 Enters Final Phase of Construction

By Alicia Venter aventer@queensledger.com

Elected officials and community members gathered at John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport on Feb. 23 to celebrate the final stage of Terminal 6.

Terminal 6 is a $4.2 billion development that will create a 1.2 million square foot terminal on the airport’s north side. 4,000 jobs are predicted to be created for the building of the terminal, 1,800 of which will be in construction.

New features of the terminal include 10 gates for airplanes, an arrivals and departures hall with floor-to-ceiling windows and public art by New Yorkbased artists. There will also be over 100,000 square feet of shopping and dining.

Governor Kathy Hochul led the groundbreaking ceremony, and the new terminal is set to open in 2026. Construction is slated for completion in 2028.

“New York remains committed to providing travelers with a premier experience that includes world-class amenities, expanded and streamlined airport transportation, and state-of-theart security,” Governor Hochul said in a statement.

The terminal is a public-private partnership between the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and JFK Millennium Partners, a private company composed of developers and investors.

The agreement set in the partnership is that Port Authority will commit $130 million in capital funding for infrastructure at Terminal 6.

Terminal 6 is the final stage of “JFK Vision Plan,” which is a strategic plan to transform JFK Airport into a world-class airport. First announced in January 2017, the plan provides a framework for Port Authority and partners to completely redesign and expand existing facilities. Terminal 6 follows other construction at the airport, including the development of a New Terminal One as well as an expansion of Terminal 4 and Terminal 8.

“This is a historic day for The World’s Borough and the millions of people from across the world who fly in and out of Kennedy Airport,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. in a statement.

Opportunities for Minority-and-

Women-Owned Business Enterprises include a guarantee from JFK Millennium Partners of at least 30% participation from such businesses.

“JFK is an economic engine for the city and for Council District 31, and its successful redevelopment will help to ensure its status as a global gateway extends far into the future,” said Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, City Council Majority Whip and Chair of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, in a statement. “It is crucial that as this project proceeds, the program meets ambitious MWBE utilization goals, engages the surrounding community, and addresses the needs of impacted community members. I look forward to the completion of Terminal 6 by way of a process that benefits all New Yorkers.”

By Rob MacKay

“March” gets its name from “Mars,” the Roman god of war. Back in the day, the month was the beginning of the military combat season. Times have changed, though, and Queens is getting ready to host peaceful, enriching activities, such as tea parties, educational plays, and cooking demonstrations, in March 2023. Please read further to get all the details.

First Look Festival

March 15 - March 19

This 12th annual showcase for new international cinema introduces New York audiences to more than two dozen inventive works that seek to redefine the art form, often with the filmmakers in person.

Museum of the Moving Image, 36-01 35th Ave., Astoria’s Kaufman Arts District, www.movingimage. us.

40 Shades of Green

March 17 @ 3 p.m.

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with six hours of entertainment provided by a cavalcade of local and international performers. New York Irish Center, 10-40 Jackson Ave., Long Island City, www.newyorkirishcenter.org.

Fermenting Vegetables Workshop

Jan. 7 @ 10:30 a.m.

Cheryl Paswater is the Chief Fermentationist and CEO of Contraband Ferments as well as an educator, artist, and writer. She leads this Zoom workshop about the basic science behind fermenting vegetables.

Participants gain an understanding of the important do’s and don’ts of fermenting, along with copies of the recipes, and a solid foundation in safe preserving practices. $30 per household.