Community District
Find the planning projects in your community district.
Queens CD02 Projects
Quick Links
Queens Community District 02
43-22 50th Street
Woodside, NY 11377
Phone: 718.533.8773
Fax: 718.533.8777
Email: commboard2@nyc.rr.com
Quick Links
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
Quick Links
Mayor's Press Release Announcing Intention to Buy the Site
Queens West
The City and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey have announced their intentions for the City to acquire approximately 26 acres of the southern portion of Queens West that is currently owned by the Port. The City would pay $100 million for the land as well as be responsible for another $46 million of infrastructure at the site. The City intends to use that site to develop up to 5,000 residential units of workforce housing, aimed at those earning between $60,000 and $145,000 for a family of four.
The City has been in discussions with the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY), and its chairman, Stephen Ross, to develop the site. Mr. Ross has proposed that REBNY create a non-profit corporation to develop the site at no profit to the developers. Several community groups, however, are concerned with turning over control of this site to REBNY instead of having the city issue an RFP.
The area involved was rezoned in 2004, paving the way for new residential development.
Recent headlines
Open Space at Queens West Opens to Public
July 17, 2008
Queens Chronicle
Smell From Queens West Site Causing Concern
July 10, 2008
New York Daily News
Community Meeting in Queens West Focuses on Affordable Housing
June 4, 2008
Queens Gazette
Silvercup West
Silvercup Studios, currently home to the filming of many movies and TV shows such as The Sopranos, is proposing a two-million-square-foot development just south of the Queensboro bridge in Queens. The $1 billion complex will include soundstages, offices, and 1000 apartments, 150 of which will be earmarked for people with low and moderate incomes. The site now hosts a power generating station, a city salt pile, and the Terra Cotta building, which will be restored. Sitework is set to begin in 2008, with completion expected in 2012.
Recent headlines
The Hotel Boom in Long Island City
February 18, 2007
New York Times
Green Building in Queens
January 4, 2007
Queens Chronicle
Silvercup Goes Green
September 25, 2006
BusinessWeek