Photos of Jamaica, Queens

Jamaica Center, the downtown section of Jamaica, Queens, is one of the most varied areas in the borough, and it's one at a crossroads. A clothing store mecca, retail space along Jamaica Avenue between Parsons Boulevard and 165th Street is thriving. Art deco buildings and a colonial-era church once abandoned are getting renovated. At the same time, the area hurts for decent restaurants and a respite from choking traffic and a lack of parking. The city plan to rezone large areas of the downtown for higher residential density living remains controversial.