Affordable housing in New York City is poised for a significant upswing, marking a pivotal moment in the city’s ongoing efforts to address housing affordability challenges. This week, New York City Mayor Eric Adams has announced a “historic win” for the Willets Point community in Queens following the City Council’s approval vote for the Willets Point Phase 2 development as an integral part of the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP).
Initiated by Mayor Adams in November 2022 as “once-in-a-generation opportunity to create a brand-new neighborhood,” Willets Point Transformation emerges as the largest 100-percent affordable housing project in 40 years.
The project will include more than 150,000 square feet of new public open space, over 20,000 square feet of retail space. The blueprint also includes plans for a 250-key hotel and the city’s inaugural soccer-specific stadium, to be financed privately by NYCFC.
Conceptual renderings of Mayor Adams’ vision for Willets Point. Credit: S9 Architecture
According to Mayor’s Office, the project will result in $6 billion in economic impact over the next 30 years. It is projected to create over 14,000 construction jobs and over 1,500 permanent jobs.
We just scored the goal of the decade.
NYC Mayor Eric Adams
Mayor Adams’ vision for the transformation of Willets Point builds on core goals in his “Rebuild, Renew, Reinvent: A Blueprint for New York City’s Economic Recovery” and “Housing Our Neighbors: A Blueprint for Housing and Homelessness.”
“Housing is the goal — and with today’s City Council vote, I’m proud to say that we just scored the goal of the decade,” noted Adams.
“We’re bringing 2,500 affordable housing units, 150,000 square feet of public open space, thousands of good-paying jobs, and the city’s first soccer-specific stadium to a neighborhood in Queens that used to be known for its junkyards,” he continued. “After today’s vote, we’re one step closer to delivering that future.”
NYCEDC President and CEO Andrew Kimball, said “History has been made” for Queens and New York City.
“I am incredibly excited and proud to have joined my colleagues on the City Council vote in supporting Willets Point Phase II Redevelopment Plan,” said New York City Councilmember Francisco Moya.
“This once-in-a-generation project will create a community like no other in New York City, with access to all-affordable housing, a brand-new public school, and New York City’s only soccer-specific stadium. These amenities will support our children’s future.”
New York City Councilmember Francisco Moya.
Construction for the first phase of 100-percent affordable housing at Willets Point is well underway, accelerating a year ahead of schedule. In December 2023, Mayor Adams and city officials broke ground on the first 880 units of affordable housing, which are expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams delivers remarks at New York City Football Club’s (NYCFC) rally in support of the Willets Point Transformation, which will bring 100 percent affordable housing, economic activity, and New York City’s first-ever soccer-specific stadium to Queens, City Hall on Thursday , April 11, 2024. [ Photo credit: Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office]
With the creation of a new soccer-specific stadium, Willets Point will become the city’s premier sports hub, with the New York Mets’ Citi Field and US Tennis Association’s Billie Jean King National Tennis Center both within walking distance of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Mets-Willets Point subway and Long Island Rail Road station.
The 2,500 100-percent affordable homes will cover seven buildings, including one with 220 homes for low-income seniors.
According to Mayor’s Office, QDG will participate in HireNYC. They will seek to achieve high standards of environmental sustainability through either LEED Gold US Green Building Council certification or Enterprise Green Communities.
