QBP RICHARDS RECOMMENDS APPROVAL WITH CONDITIONS OF WILLETS POINT REDEVELOPMENT PHASE II

(January 10, 2024 at 10:45am)

QUEENS, NY – Following last month’s public hearing, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. today announced his recommendation to approve with conditions Phase II of the Willets Point redevelopment plan.

“Through the decades, many plans have been imagined at Willets Point and only one has been approved,” writes Borough President RICHARDS in his recommendation. “I am proud to see the former ‘Valley of Ashes’ transform into better housing, schooling and open space, but I must see material and serious commitments to the surrounding communities of Corona, Flushing and East Elmhurst.”

Phase II of the Willets Point redevelopment plan includes 1,400 units of affordable housing, a 25,000-seat soccer stadium to be used by Major League Soccer’s New York City Football Club, a 250-room hotel, 80,000 square feet of commercial retail space, nearly 3 acres of public open space and more.

The recommendation to approve the plan with conditions comes nearly a month after Borough President Richards held a December 13, 2023 public hearing to hear from and question the applicant team — the New York City Economic Development Corporation, New York City Football Club (NYCFC) and Queens Development Group — as well as hear from more than two dozen area residents who offered testimony. Video of that hearing can be found by clicking here.

Specific conditions laid out in Borough President Richards’ recommendation include a written agreement from the development team that housing affordability levels in Phase II of the project be comparable to Phase I — which will stipulate a commitment to having more than half of the 1,400 units created be available at or below 80 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI) — and a full list of community benefits the applicant team has pledged throughout the ULURP process.

Lastly, the BP recommends the applicant team put forth a letter of commitments regarding:

  • Local Hiring
    • Minority- and Women-Owned Businesses and area residents should make up at least 30 percent of contracts and hires, with the applicant team providing quarterly reports to the Borough President, local Councilmember and area community boards.
    • The applicant team should also work with the Borough President and local Councilmember to determine a mutually agreeable set-aside for local street vendors and concessionaires within and surrounding the soccer stadium.
    • Establish outreach strategies with Queens colleges and universities regarding employment opportunities for young adults.
  • Community Partnerships
    • The applicant team should work with one or more culturally competent community-based organization to execute workforce development and other community needs, with quarterly reports submitted to the Borough President, local Councilmember and area community boards.
    • The creation of a Community Advisory Board, which would meet on a quarterly basis.
    • Discounted NYCFC match tickets for local residents.
  • Area Infrastructure Improvements
    • The applicant team should work with the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation to identify areas in and around Flushing Meadows Corona Park in need of capital improvements, such as the Flushing Promenade, area sports fields and playgrounds.
    • The applicant team should work with NYC Transit to update and help fund transportation improvements to local bus and subway systems.
    • NYCEDC should conduct a feasibility study regarding extending ferry service to Willets Point or a nearby location.
    • The applicant team should work with the NYC Department of Environmental Protection on the creation of a functioning and updated sewage and stormwater management plan.
    • The applicant team should explore the creation of small children’s playgrounds throughout the project area.
    • Phase II of the development proposal should also include sustainability investments such as permeable pavement and bioswales.

The Borough President also recommends that no NYCFC games be scheduled on days where either the New York Mets are playing a home game at Citi Field or where the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center are in use, as to avoid excess congestion in the area.

Late last month, Borough President Richards helped break ground on Phase I of the Willets Point redevelopment plan, which includes the construction of nearly 900 units of affordable housing.

“When I set foot in the City Council, the first thing I did was work to create a true path towards bringing affordable housing to Queens, and I’m grateful to have a supportive partner in government like Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, who shares and supports these efforts,” said City Council Member FRANCISCO MOYA. “Together, we’re making Queens better with the largest affordable housing project in 40 years, a new 650-seat elementary school, and the first privately financed electric stadium in NYC. This isn’t just about buildings; it’s about shaping our community’s future. It will help kids with education, boost our local economy, create jobs, and support our hardworking laborers who built this city.”

Follow the Office of the Queens Borough President via @QnsBPRichards on X (formerly Twitter) and @QueensBPRichards on Facebook and Instagram

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