QueensWay Project Appoints First Executive Director
Business owners in Forest Hills should prepare for upcoming construction activity on the long-planned linear park.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in People
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Friends of the QueensWay has appointed John Surico as its first executive director to oversee the development of the linear park project. This leadership change follows an October 2026 resolution by Queens Community Board 6 supporting the Metropolitan Hub, the project's first phase.
Why it matters
The project aims to improve local pedestrian infrastructure and connectivity between schools and businesses along the disused railway. With the Metropolitan Hub secured by $50 million in city funding, the organization is accelerating efforts to overcome the loss of federal support for subsequent phases.
The city has committed $50 million toward the 5-acre Metropolitan Hub, compared to the $117 million in federal funding that was eliminated for the second phase last year. The project spans a 0.7-mile greenway currently under development within a broader 15-year planning effort.
The players
John Surico
The first executive director of Friends of the QueensWay tasked with guiding the linear park project through its development phases.
Friends of the QueensWay
A community-focused nonprofit organization managing the advocacy and development of the park project on the former railway site.
Queens Community Board 6
A municipal body representing local districts that provides critical advisory approvals for land-use and infrastructure projects.
Trust for Public Land
A national nonprofit that collaborates with local groups to build and conserve green spaces and parks in urban environments.
The details
The project converts an abandoned railway corridor, which has been dormant since the 1960s, into a recreational greenway. The executive director will focus on driving project awareness and coordinating site cleanups with the Trust for Public Land. Local operators should track these development milestones, as the greenway aims to enhance pedestrian access to commercial corridors adjacent to the site.
Timeline
1960s: The Rockaway Beach train line ceased operations.
2025: Federal funding for the second phase was eliminated.
September 2026: John Surico provided a tour of the site.
October 2026: Community Board 6 approved the project's first phase.
Market Landscape
The QueensWay project follows the precedent set by the High Line park development in Manhattan regarding the conversion of abandoned rail infrastructure into urban park space. The initiative marks a shift toward localized fundraising models after the loss of major federal support in 2025.
Operators in Forest Hills and along the Woodhaven Boulevard corridor should monitor construction schedules as the project impacts pedestrian traffic and accessibility. Businesses should evaluate how increased foot traffic from the future greenway may shift local consumer engagement patterns.
The takeaway
The arrival of a dedicated director signals the start of a more aggressive development cycle for the long-planned Metropolitan Hub. Local business owners should track Community Board 6 meeting agendas to anticipate upcoming construction timelines and potential street-level access shifts.
Further reading
For more on shifts in local organizational leadership and neighborhood development, see New York City People.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Queens Daily Eagle.
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Should your community prioritize converting abandoned rail lines into public parks over restoring train service?
