Groundbreaking of a Film and TV Production Campus in Queens
The return of New York's television and film production industry is beginning to take real physical shape! Today, under an overcast sky in Sunnyside, Queens, Mayor Eric Adams broke ground on a film and TV-ready production studio that will create one thousand-plus "hard hat" construction jobs and another 750+ full time jobs. Joined by his Media and Entertainment Commissioner, Pat Kaufman, and his Economic Development Corporation CEO Andrew Kimball, Mayor Adams celebrated “SAG-AFTRA and the Writers Guild of America for securing fair deals for their workers. Film and TV production is definitely back in New York City, putting more than 185,000 New Yorkers back to work.” Mayor Adams went on to point out that: “... our work is not done until every New Yorker has a pathway to success. We're thrilled to see East End Studios bringing more than 1,500 jobs to our City - joining the ecosystem of successful local production spaces that are continuing to elevate Western Queens as a worth rival to Hollywood.”
On a crowded podium at this buoyant news conference, Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer chirped in enthusiastically: “The East End Studios Sunnyside Campus will build on our City's strong foundation of local production facilities ... keeping world leading productions and family-sustaining jobs in New York City.” Not missing an opportunity to share the microphone, Commissioner Kaufman chimed in: “Combined with the recent New York State film tax credit expansion, today's groundbreaking will serve as an economic driver for local businesses, create jobs for New Yorkers, and further our City's reputation as a global creative capital.”
The Sunnyside Campus will be a 340,000 square foot, Class A facility with three full service, ground floor sound stages totaling 75,000 square feet. Moreover, the Sunnyside campus will be fully integrated with an extended virtual reality infrastructure and state-of-the-art high speed connectivity. Take that, Hollywood!
New York City's film and TV industry has grown substantially over the last ten years, producing over $18 billion in wages and contributing over $82 billion in economic impact. Crystalizing this impressive and exciting groundbreaking celebration were the grateful words of a “Made in NY” graduate and Production Assistant, Jay Montoya: “Thank goodness the SAG-AFTRA strikes are over ... and for this new facility right here in Sunnyside, Queens ... providing opportunities for me and other 'Made in NY' training graduates to work.” The applause was sincere. And deafening.
Mayor Eric Adams joined city officials and union leaders on November 15, 2023 to break ground on a $275 million film and TV production studio in Woodside. (Courtesy of the Mayor’s Office)