Late last week, the New York City Board of Standards and Appeals granted a zoning variance to developer Stephen Bahar. The variance allows Bahar to continue construction on his hotel, located on 27th Street. The structure is taller than the zoning allows, as the area was rezoned in 2008.

Community board members in Long Island City postponed a vote this week on a rezoning proposal that would allow the construction of a 19-story dormitory in the neighborhood. The site, currently zoned for manufacturing, would need to be rezoned to allow dormitory use. The developer, Edward J.

The City plans to build a park with funds from 5,000 apartments to be constructed in Hunters Points South. A group of activists, New York City Park Advocates, are concerned that the park will feel too exclusive and not open to residents.

Plans are being set for an 11-acre park at Hunters Point South in Long Island City. Though the park will contain a renovated pier, two dog parks, a recreation area and more, community members are concerned that there is a lack of river access as well as inadequate use of artificial turf for grass areas.

Residents in Long Island City voiced their opposition to Toyoko Inn New York LLC's proposed 35-story hotel. Though Toyoko Inn would provide improved transit access, residents and community boards have voiced their concern that the hotel may not be ecnomically viable in the current fiscal climate.

A Japanese hotel developer is planning a 699-room, 35-story hotel in Long Island City across from the Citibank tower. It would be the largest hotel outside of Manhattan if built as planned. The proposed hotel is offering to pump money into nearby subway infrastructure in exchange for a higher floor area ratio than is allowed under the existing zoning.

The City and the Federal Government plan to invest more than $75 million for improvements to Long Island City (LIC). The project will improve traffic flow and reconfigure the area to be more accessible for pedestrians. The City will contribute $22.5 million, while the Federal Government will add as much as $56 million, including stimulus funds.

Some residents of new developments in Hunters Point complain of noise and air pollution from idling trains at a nearby rail yard. Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) officials counter that shutting off the trains is often cost-prohibitive. Queens Community Board 2 Chairman Joe Conley notes that the dispute stems from the neighborhood’s transition from an industrial to a residential.

The City acquired a 30 acre waterfront parcel in Hunter’s Point for construction of Hunter’s Point South, a middle-income housing complex. The land was formerly owned by the Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC) and the Port Authority. Once completed, Hunter’s Point South will contain 5,000 housing units, 60% of which will be reserved for middle-income tenants.

Gantry Plaza State Park along the Hunters Point waterfront will be opening on July 1st. The photos offered by Curbed show a verdant expanse with Adirondack chairs.