On August 8th, the 12th Taiwan Orchid World Expo opened at the Queens Botanical Garden in Queens. Raymond Jasen, the Chairman of the QBG Board of Trustees, expressed gratitude to Taiwanese immigrants for bringing the Taiwan Orchid Exhibition to the garden since 2013, adding an elegant atmosphere to the garden’s summer. He also praised the contributions of Taiwanese immigrants to the development of Flushing.
In his speech, Jasen mentioned that Flushing is a vibrant and amazing community, serving as a center for economic growth and development, a story that began with the Taiwanese people. He arrived in Flushing at the age of five in 1971 and witnessed the hard work of Taiwanese immigrants in transforming Flushing from a desolate and crime-ridden place to a thriving commercial district filled with a bustling population of Chinese immigrants.
According to Raymond Jasen, before the arrival of Taiwanese immigrants, Flushing was in a state of decline in the early 1970s, with vacant storefronts and rampant street crime. The area was filled with single room occupancy apartments where drug addicts and prostitutes resided, making it unsuitable for families. Even the Queens Botanical Garden was sparse, with overgrown weeds and drug use on the premises, a far cry from a family-friendly environment.
However, Taiwanese immigrants began to invest in real estate in Flushing, purchasing properties, renovating old buildings, and attracting businesses. This initial investment sparked further development in Flushing, turning it into a desirable investment location. Without the Taiwanese immigrants, Flushing would not have seen the same growth as it did, as it was not considered an attractive investment opportunity at the time.
Jasen highlighted the establishment of the Taiwan Center in Flushing as a pivotal moment that fostered social community building. Over the past 30 years, Taiwanese immigrants played a significant role in the development of the Queens Botanical Garden.
Flushing Botanical Garden, located on Main Street in the heart of Flushing, experienced significant changes through cooperation between former Executive Director of the Queens Botanical Garden, Susan Lacerte, and the local Taiwanese community. The renovation of the Botanical Garden contributed to the transformation of Flushing into a beautiful community recreational space. This revitalization attracted further development in Flushing, with Taiwanese-owned properties along Northern Boulevard and a rejuvenated Botanical Garden becoming a sought-after relaxation spot.
Huang Bailin, a Taiwanese immigrant who arrived in New York to study in 1988 and now serves as an ambassador for the Queens Botanical Garden, witnessed the transformation of Flushing firsthand. Reflecting on her early days in Flushing, Huang recalled the small-scale houses and businesses compared to the towering skyscrapers and bustling establishments present today. She referenced Cai Rentai, a Taiwanese immigrant who established Asia Bank in Flushing, providing financial assistance to fellow Taiwanese entrepreneurs, which greatly aided in the community’s growth.
Huang emphasized the significant impact of Taiwanese investment in developing high-end commercial buildings and reshaping the landscape of Flushing. She expressed a strong sense of attachment to Flushing, dubbing it their second home for Taiwanese immigrants who have invested their time and effort to make Flushing prosper.