A historic neighborhood rezoning plan that will bring approximately 15,000 new homes to New York City is moving forward.
The New York City Council’s Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises and Committee on Land Use recently approved the OneLIC Neighborhood Plan, which involves rezoning that will bring new homes to Long Island City, Queens, including 4,350 permanently affordable housing units.
The approval marked the second of two of the largest neighborhood rezonings in over two decades within New York City, which were approved within weeks of each other by the city council.
The plan includes more than $905 million in community investments for Long Island City, including improvements to public housing, new schools, transportation infrastructure, and enhanced park and recreation space, council said.
Highlights of the plan include:
- Approximately 14,700 new homes, including 4,350 permanently affordable units
- $102 million over six years to implement the Waste Plumbing Initiative at Queensbridge Houses to ensure modernization of plumbing waste lines, add new hot and cold water lines, renovate chase walls, update bathrooms, install new kitchen cabinets, and remediate mold and abatement of any lead.
- $98.3 million in investments for Queensbridge Houses North and South to replace or repair 80 elevators, fix two sinkholes and an underground water pipe, add new playground space, install new in-building interior compactors, build new bathrooms in property management and staff offices, and install new building interior lighting and fixtures.
- $176.7 million for the School Construction Authority (SCA) to finish building a 547-seat elementary school in Court Square to open in September 2028.
- $131.4 million for the SCA to complete construction of a new 547-seat elementary school in Hunters Point to open in September 2027.
- $95 million to relocate City operations and construct new open space under the Queensboro Bridge
- $79 million to create a new waterfront esplanade and nearly 2 acres of open space under the Queensboro Bridge, plus $10.9 million to develop and advance a unified master plan for the waterfront esplanade.
- $30 million to renew Queensbridge Park, including building a new playground and adult fitness equipment, improvements to the fields and court areas, expanding pathways, building a new destination water play area, upgrading park lighting, and reconstructing restroom facilities.
- $30 million for improvements to 44th Drive corridor to make it safer for pedestrians, cyclists, transit riders, and truck drivers.
- $280,000 to renovate Queensbridge Houses Resident Association Office.
- $13 million to improve transportation hub at 21st Street and 41st Avenue, including new bus bulbs, adding a bike path along 21st Street, street furniture, median construction and curb extensions, and secure bike parking facilities.
- $10 million to assess the feasibility and construct a new community center that includes a gym, and subject to funding availability, a swimming pool.
- $5.3 million to improve the Jacob Riis Community Center, including renovations to walls, floors, and rooms, new interior finishes and panting, accessible ramps and stairs for the front entrance, ADA accessible bathrooms, new commercial kitchen equipment, and new sewer lines.
- $2.3 million to construct Queensbridge Baby Park at 21st Street, and include new landscaping, seating, lighting, and other recreational amenities.
An online public tracker to ensure ongoing accountability and transparency on the progress of the investments will be launched in December, with bi-annual updates provided for each commitment, including their funding and timeline of implementation, the city council said.
Photo by Maria Orlova from Pexels
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