New Housing Development Announced at Former Airport Site
In Queens, a project is set to transform the long-abandoned Flushing airport site in College Point into a new neighborhood featuring 3,000 homes. Mayor Eric Adams revealed these plans on Monday.
Construction is projected to kick off in 2028, with the New York City Construction Workers Union indicating it will help provide both labor and a pension fund for the initiative.
“There’s a real need for housing, and this development will inject new life and homes into University Point,” Adams mentioned during the announcement at the site.
This declaration was part of the City Hall’s “Housing Week,” which began on Monday. Some social media users playfully critiqued the mayor’s announcement as an attempt to outshine his election competitor, Zoran Mamdani, highlighting a video that, amusingly, made it sound like he was stealing ideas.
The plan underscores the accomplishments of Adams’s administration, especially the “Yes City” zoning reforms expected to enable the construction of 80,000 new residences over the next 15 years.
An executive order from Adams aimed at allowing more homes on city-owned land has facilitated developments at the Flushing airport site.
Since the airport’s closure in 1984, the 80-acre area has largely reverted to wetlands.
However, the city’s Economic Development Corporation initiated action by issuing a request for proposals last November to redevelop the area.
The design of the new homes will be led by Cirrus Workforce Housing and LCOR Incorporated, featuring sustainable building practices like mass timber construction.
Officials stated that around 20 acres will be utilized for housing and will be woven into a “modern wetland environment.” This will include nature trails, open spaces, and habitats for wildlife.
Approximately 60 acres of the site will be set aside as parkland.
“What we’re creating is about 20 acres along the main avenue, leading to 3,000 units for New York’s essential workers,” remarked Joseph McDonnell, managing partner at Cirrus. “Think teachers, police officers, firefighters, nurses—many of whom are commuting from quite a distance, like the Poconos or Pennsylvania.”
“It’s beneficial for everyone involved,” he added.
Additionally, Adams participated in groundbreaking ceremonies for another significant development project, which will add 3,500 new residents to Coney Island.
