Flushing is a neighborhood in the Queens borough of New York. When someone mentions Flushing they usually mean Downtown Flushing which is predominantly populated by Asians; people of Chinese descent make up nearly 40% of the population.1 Flushing is a large commercial and retail area and is the fourth largest central business district in New York City. The intersection of Roosevelt Avenue and Main Street is the third busiest intersection in New York City, behind only Times Square and Herald Square.2 Flushing is the largest urban center in Queens and is growing larger with perpetual construction projects throughout Flushing. Flushing has a rich history built on religious tolerance and cultural diversity. In 1645, Flushing was founded and settled by English settlers under the charter of the Dutch West India Company and was the first settlement in Queens.3 Flushing is considered the birthplace of religious freedom in North America because settlers like John Bowne challenged the ban on host Quakers and allowed them to hold meetings at his establishment. In December 1657, the Flushing Remonstrance was passed by Flushing settlers protesting religious persecution and eventually caused Quakers and others to worship freely.4 Growing up, I lived on Bowne Street which was named for John Bowne and right in front of his house. The Bowne House was built by John Bowne in 1661 and is Flushing's oldest landmark. It is believed to be the “oldest extant house of worship in America” and is celebrated by many as a “national shrine to religious freedom.”5 In the mid-17th century, the English took over the colony from the Dutch and renamed it the Province of New York. Queens County was founded in 1683 and...... middle of paper ......or the founding of Flushing. With Flushing constantly changing, is it beneficial or detrimental to many of the residents who have been alive in Flushing for decades? There are at least two affordable housing developments in Flushing and many of the developments are occurring around these developments. As Flushing becomes more commercialized, there will be pressure from businesses and political forces who would like to see this affordable housing relocated. Flushing has changed and will change for many years to come, just like any other neighborhood, but at a higher and faster level. evaluate. This will push low- and middle-income families further away from downtown Flushing. Most of these families will be the Chinese families that are changing the landscape right now in Flushing. The landscape and demographics will continue to change in Flushing.