The state of New York on Thursday issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the first phase of the Creedmoor Mixed-Use Project. The project is part of an effort to transform formerly underutilized land in eastern Queens into a fully affordable, mixed-use community featuring hundreds of new homes, green space and neighborhood amenities.
The development is planned in the Bellerose neighborhood of eastern Queens on a parcel at 79-25 Winchester Boulevard, part of the 125-acre Creedmoor Psychiatric campus. The facility dates back to the early 1900s, although many buildings are now left abandoned and unused for decades following the consolidation of state psychiatric services.
The RFP, issued by Empire State Development (ESD), follows approval this year of the Creedmoor Community Master Plan (CCMP) by both the ESD Board and Public Authorities Control Board (PACB). The master plan grew out of an extensive community-driven planning process involving civic groups, local officials and hundreds of residents.
The RFP seeks a developer to build a 100% affordable mixed-use development under the project’s first phase. This includes affordable rentals, homeownership options, retail, open space and parking. Community facilities like grocery, urgent care, child care and a senior center may be included.
Phase one targets the portion of the campus along Hillside Avenue and Avenue C. It includes demolition of several vacant or underused buildings, along with existing roadways and surface parking lots. This phase will reuse existing site infrastructure and connect to the surrounding streets, water, storm and sanitary network.
The state’s $500 million Redevelopment of Underutilized Sites for Housing (NY-RUSH) initiative will make funding available to offset infrastructure and utility costs. Building demolition, roadway and utility construction and demolition, parking and open space development are all included as eligible funding uses.
Under the approved plan, over time the project could deliver more than 2,000 new homes, including more than 950 affordable rental units (for seniors, veterans and supportive housing) and more than 1,000 homeownership units. The plan includes over 10 acres of open space, community facilities, retail and other neighborhood amenities.
A site tour for interested developers is scheduled for Dec. 17, while first-phase proposals are due March 18, 2026. Developers are encouraged to include provisions for minority- or women-owned businesses and local hiring during construction in their proposals.
The project represents part of a broader statewide push to unlock state-owned land for affordable housing in the face of New York’s housing shortage and affordability crisis. It offers residents of eastern Queens access to new, affordable housing options and neighborhood amenities on a long-dormant site.
Photo by Aleks Marinkovic from Pexels
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