One of the five original "towns" in Queens, Long Island City was formerly an independent municipality before Queens became part of New York City in 1898.  A location at the terminus of the Queensboro Bridge and rapid transit lines brought throngs of factories to the area, leaving few residential pockets.  However, the past three decades have seen a reversal of that trend.  Many manufacturing operations have moved out, leaving loft-sized housing possibilities that have drawn artists and others seeking reasonable rent close to Manhattan.  Two former bakeries now house the Northeast's largest television commercial production facility and LaGuardia Community College.  Long Island City has become home to back-office operations for many Manhattan firms, although some vintage operations remain including the nation's largest fortune cookie company.  The New York City waterfront project at Hunter's Point, a mixed-use community within Long Island City, will position the area for accelerated revitalization.