A week after the Port Authority announced a $125 million commercial redevelopment for the newly expanded Terminal 8 at JFK Airport, the Unbail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) Airports is looking to partner with local, minority-owned businesses for construction and concessions opportunities.
URW and JFK T8 Partners will be holding ongoing information sessions for construction and concessions with the first four of the events scheduled for late July and early August. The first construction outreach virtual session is scheduled for July 27, from noon to 1 p.m., and the first concession outreach virtual session is scheduled for Aug. 1, from 6 to 7 p.m.
The commercial redevelopment project will create a New York-inspired Great Hall, inside Terminal 8, which is expected to bring more than 60 new shopping and restaurant establishments and create more than 300 jobs.
“Engaging the small business community throughout this project and beyond — particularly local, women, and minority-owned businesses — is a huge priority across the redevelopment and beyond,” said Lynden Scott, URW general manager, JFK T8. “We are excited about the new opportunities being created and we are committed to engaging with and helping build capacity among those entrepreneurs and small businesses who are looking to enter and find success in the airport space.”
The commitment to diversity starts with the JFK T8 Partners team. Phoenix Infrastructure Group, a minority-owned, Minority Business Enterprise (MBE)-certified investment firm, makes up 30% ownership. The program’s diversity goals also reflect the true engagement. Its goal, in line with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, is 30 percent M/WBE participation in the design and construction of concession spaces and 30 percent Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) for concession operations.
“As one of the members of the JFK Redevelopment Community Advisory Council and a driver of MWBE accessibility to projects large and small, we are thrilled with the opportunity to help assist URW on the concessions at JFK Terminal 8,” Queens Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Tom Grech said. “The efforts to engage local Queens businesses will be transformative in the years to come.”
Concessions and construction outreach events will be held on an ongoing basis. More information on these sessions and other JFK updates can be found at thenewjfkt8.com and at anewjfk.com.