Traffic & Transit
Magic Johnson Attends Queens Groundbreaking Of JFK's New Terminal One
The $9.5 billion project was delayed by the pandemic, but is expected to open by 2026 with an expansive 300,000 square foot terminal.
NEW YORK CITY— Legendary basketball star Earvin "Magic" Johnson came to John F. Kennedy Airport Thursday to witness ground broken at the New Terminal One Thursday.
Johnson, a major investor in the $9.5 billion project, came to celebrate the launch of a project that was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic, according to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
The legendary basketball player jumped to join the JFK project at the behest of U.S. Rep. Greg Meeks, who spoke to Johnson about the importance of investing in minority and women-owned businesses, he said.
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"We are truly excited to be a part of this project," said Johnson, "Seven hundred million will be going to minority and women-owned firms."
Plans for the new terminal — boasted to become the largest free-standing terminal in the U.S. — include a 23-gate space featuring dining, retail, lounges and recreational areas encompassing 300,000 square feet, according to the airport.
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The terminal, expected to open in 2026, is projected to create 10,000 jobs and 6,000 union construction jobs.
About 30 percent of the businesses in the new terminal will be minority and/or women-owned, Gov. Kathy Hochul said.
"That is what excites me," said Hochul. "This is what the city and the state deserves."
The terminal is 100 percent privately funded with a 30 percent equity stake belonging to Johnson, who made the project possible, according to Meeks.
"It is giving it to someone who knows how to take the ball and put it through the hoop," Meeks added. "If it wasn't for you this deal wouldn't have happened."
The contracts at JFK Airport will help the small businesses become middle-sized businesses and hopefully grow even further down the road, Johnson added.
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards thanked Hochul for supporting the borough and for pushing for the project.
"We are going to see a lot of local hiring here," Richards said. "As we break ground, we begin the process of making JFK the greatest airport."
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