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Queens CD01 Projects
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Queens Community District 01
36-01 35th Avenue
Astoria, NY 11106
Phone: 718.786.3335
Fax: 718.786.3368
Email: qn01@cb.nyc.gov
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Queens West Community Homepage
Queens West Development Homepage
Long Island City
In 2001, the City approved the rezoning of a 37 block area in the center of Long Island City (LIC) in Queens. The Department of City Planning (DCP) initiated the rezoning to take advantage of an area that was well served by mass transit and transform it into a residential and commercial hub. Also initiated were major vehicular traffic modifications, such as Queens Plaza, to help correct existing problems and mitigate the impacts of future growth.
After the rezoning, several projects began construction, including Silvercup West, a plan by the Silvercup Studios to build new production facilities and housing. The Queens West project in nearby Hunter’s Point is also moving forward and was aided by this rezoning. Many other smaller projects have also started construction or have been proposed in Long Island City including several housing developments and a proposed dorm facility for Ph.D. candidates at CUNY. Several upscale hotels have opened in the area as well.
There are some concerns about the new developments in LIC. One of the concerns is whether the existing infrastructure can handle the projected growth in the area. Con Ed has pledged tens of millions of dollars to upgrade the electrical system in the area in the wake of the 2006 blackout. The City, has committed to improving traffic flow and parking conditions in the area as well, partly through the implementation of the Queens Plaza project that is currently underway. Many residents, however, have expressed frustration that much of the development that is occurring is not affordable to the current residents of the area. In addition, community groups have expressed concern over the destruction of potential landmarks and historic sites to make way for development. Another problem is the need to remediate environmental contamination at some sites that was caused by past industrial users.
Finally, there are other competing land use priorities in the region. For instance, the MTA has discussed its need to acquire several properties for its East Side Access project. In addition, residents outside of the center of LIC, such as those in Dutch Kills, are concerned that the current zoning in their neighborhood allows commercial construction that they feel is out of character with the neighborhood. With the development boom nearby, the City has started the rezoning process for Dutch Kills to prohibit such construction, but residents and local elected officials are concerned about its slow pace.
Recent headlines
Dutch Kills Rezoning Approved by Community Board with Conditions
June 26, 2008
Queens Chronicle
Hunters Point South Plan Approved By Community Board 2
June 26, 2008
Queens Chronicle
Community Board 2 Votes on Hunters Point South
June 22, 2008
New York Daily News
Queens Plaza
A renovation of Queens Plaza is expected to begin in early 2007 with a projected construction period of 18 months. The project has been designed by the Department of City Planning (DCP) and will be managed, during construction, by the city's Economic Development Corporation. Initial designs include plans is to realign traffic lanes and entire streets in order to achieve several goals: make automobile traffic smoother, encourage alternate means of transport, like biking, walking, buses and subways, and to create new green space. The rough boundaries of the $22 million project will be the East River, Queens Plaza North, Queens Plaza South, and Queens Plaza East. It will include new bike lanes, landscaping, public art, lighting, crosswalks, street furniture, directional signs, and artistic banners. The parking spaces at the JFK commuter triangle will be relocated to the municipal garage (a location across Hunter Street that itself may soon be developed into a skyscraper on top of a parking garage) and will be replaced further to the north (after all the traffic patterns are redirected) by what DCP is tentatively calling JFK Park.
Recent headlines
Politicians Express Frustration Over Queens Plaza Progress
December 27, 2007
Times Ledger
Queens Plaza Improvements on Track
June 26, 2007
New York Daily News
Strong Praise For Queens Plaza
November 8, 2006
Queens Gazette