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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.

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Dutch Kills Rezoning Approved by Community Board with Conditions

Thursday, June 26, 2008 | Queens Chronicle | Topic: Land Use

Community Board 1 in Queens approved rezoning plans for Dutch Kills on Tuesday with some conditions. The rezoning would split the community in four sub-districts and each would vary on density and development that will be permitted. The Community Board wants the City to reconsider the residential components of two of the sub-districts and also include a light manufacturing zone in the area. Many in the community are disappointed in how slow the rezoning process has been and blame the city for the dozens of new hotels that have been built in the area recently.

Hunters Point South Plan Approved By Community Board 2

Thursday, June 26, 2008 | Queens Chronicle | Topic: Land Use

Community Board 2 in Queens voted unanimously on Monday in support of plans for Hunters Point South with a condition that a “more inclusive and more comprehensive” plan for affordable housing be developed. Some of the Board’s requests include more affordable housing for seniors, the disabled and civil servants, a height restriction of 42 stories, and expanding public transportation alternatives and routes.

Community Board 2 Votes on Hunters Point South

Sunday, June 22, 2008 | New York Daily News | Topic: Housing

Community Board 2 votes on Monday on whether to recommend approval of the City’s plan to develop over 5,000 units of housing along the Long Island City waterfront in the Hunters Point South development project. Despite the promise that 60% of those units will be reserved for families of four making between $55,000 and $158,000, many affordable housing advocates and elected officials are worried that the development will not be affordable enough. They point to the median incomes of Queens and Long Island City, $48,000 and $44,000 respectively, as proof of the need for more affordable housing.

Developer Proposes Office Tower in LIC

Tuesday, June 17, 2008 | New York Post | Topic: Economic Development

Rockrose Development Corp. is proposing an office tower to be built in Long Island City. The building, which would be known as 10 Court Square, will be 800,000 square feet and is currently looking for an anchor tenant to secure the project. Rockrose believes that the short train ride from Manhattan in addition to the other projects going on in Long Island City make this area desirable for office space. In order to piece together the development site, Rockrose bought out 12 private property owners since 1988. Rockrose is already developing an apartment complex on the Long Island City waterfront.

Council Member Wants New Hotel Construction in Dutch Kills Stopped

Thursday, June 12, 2008 | The Real Deal | Topic: Land Use

Council Member Eric Gioia is urging the Department of City Planning to halt building of any new hotels in Dutch Kills, Queens even though the City’s current rezoning plan allows hotel construction on Northern Blvd. The Dutch Kills Civic Association supports the current rezoning but it also not opposed to the changes Gioia is pushing for.

DCP Certifies Dutch Kills Rezoning

Wednesday, June 11, 2008 | Queens Gazette | Topic: Land Use

The Department of City Planning certified a rezoning of the Dutch Kills area in Long Island City. The next step in the ULURP, public review process, is a vote by Community Board 1 on June 17th. The Community Board is expected to pass the rezoning as well, since the community has been pushing for a rezoning of the area for upwards of 3 years. A rezoning in the area will make sure that new development, especially a large increase in high-rise hotel and condo development, will happen in a contextual manner.

LIC Municipal Garage May Be Redeveloped into Office Tower

Tuesday, May 27, 2008 | New York Daily News | Topic: Economic Development

Tishman Speyer's proposal to transform a City-owned parking garage in Long Island City to an office tower is undergoing negotiations with both the City and the Modell’s family, who currently has a long-standing lease on the Queens Plaza property. The plans identify the City’s Health Department as the primary tenant, occupying 650,000 square feet and leaving approximately 150,000 square feet for other purposes, which could include retail and additional commercial usage. Although no contract has been signed, sources anticipate that the various parties will come to an agreement within the next month.

Dutch Kills Residents Believe Growth is Abundant and Large in Scale

Sunday, April 27, 2008 | New York Times | Topic: Land Use

Many Dutch Kills residents are expressing concern that the construction taking place in the Queens neighborhood is abundant and out of scale. In a roughly eight-block area, 14 sites have sparked interest from developers to build hotels, many of which are over 9 stories tall. The Department of City Planning (DCP) initiated a rezoning of the area in 2005 that would significantly thwart commercial development. Since then, developers have raced to the area to build before a rezoning goes through. The City is still in the process of redeveloping the plan and is currently working on the environmental review, which is expected to be completed in the next month or so. The plan must still then go through the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP), a seven-month public review process. Many neighborhood residents think that the City has acted too slowly.

Hunters Point South Project Possibly Financed By Tax Free Bonds

Thursday, April 24, 2008 | New York Daily News | Topic: Finance

The city’s redevelopment plan for Hunters Point South that will create 3000 new residential housing units for middle-income families can be financed by tax free bonds issued by a non-profit group, according to an official from the city’s Economic Development Corporation (EDC). By using this technique for financing, some housing advocates claim that the city is circumventing a federal requirement that true affordable housing be built, which would be required if the city applied for tax free bonds itself. The city says that by issuing tax free bonds through a non-profit organization the construction costs will be significantly reduced.

EDC Announces Jackson Ave Beautification Project

Monday, April 21, 2008 | liQcity.com | Topic: General

The Economic Development Corporation (EDC) announced that the Jackson Avenue beautification project could break ground in May. The beautification project will use artistic elements, new lighting, outdoor furniture and a landscaped median to divide and transform Jackson Avenue into Long Island City’s major thoroughfare.

City Plans to Move Forward on Willets Point and Hunters Point South Plans

Saturday, April 19, 2008 | Crain's New York Business | Topic: General

The city plans to certify two Queens projects into the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) this Monday: Willets Point and Hunters Point South. The Willets Point redevelopment project has faced fierce scrutiny over the use of eminent domain and the displacement of local businesses. Hunters Point South has been a less controversial plan, but has still faced opposition over the lack of low-income housing. Financing the Hunters Point project could be trouble for the city as it is not able to issue bonds since the plan does not include 20% affordable housing. Certification of projects is the official trigger of the seven-month public review process, ULURP.

Community Board Approves CUNY Housing Complex in LIC

Thursday, April 10, 2008 | Queens Chronicle | Topic: Land Use

Community Board 2 approved a plan by the City University of New York (CUNY) to build a housing complex for university housing and market rate units. A variance is needed for the construction as it exceeds the allowable height and building density in the area. Although the Board voted to approve the plans, some residents are concerned by the size and scope of the project and the externalities it could place on the surrounding community. The plan will not go before the Board of Standards and Appeals.

Artists Being Pushed out of LIC

Thursday, April 03, 2008 | Queens Chronicle | Topic: Housing

Long Island City (LIC) is known to host a large artist population and some are concerned that rising housing prices may force these artists out of their homes and studios. Alyson Baker, who serves at the President of the Long Island City Cultural Alliance and also runs the Socrates Sculpture Park in Queens, has suggested the city undertake an affordable housing initiative for artists. Several cultural and art institutions, such as P.S.1 Contemporary Art Center, are fairly secure in their locations in LIC.

Inland Long Island City Developing

Thursday, April 03, 2008 | New York Post | Topic: Economic Development

Areas of Long Island City (LIC) not located on the waterfront, including Queens Plaza, Court Square and Dutch Kills are seeing new growth and development. While the area lacks some basic amenities such as grocery stores, some residents are moving to the area in hope of new things to come. The city’s Economic Development Corporation (EDC) is planning on completing two projects in LIC – streetscape improvements on Jackson Avenue and reconstruction of Queens Plaza which will make it more pedestrian and bike friendly. Work on the EDC projects are not expected to be completed for another two years.

CUNY Dorm Developers to Present Modified Plan to LIC Community Board

Thursday, April 03, 2008 | New York Daily News | Topic: General

The developers of a new CUNY dorm will attempt to gain support from the local community board in Long Island City Thursday night. The developers have already presented plans seeking a zoning variance to construct a 13-story housing development for CUNY doctoral students and faculty to the community board; the plans were poorly received. The developers will use Thursday's meeting to present a slightly different plan, which will designate 6,000 square feet of space to the Queens Council on the Arts in an effort to enhance the community. The proposal is slated for a hearing before the Board of Standards and Appeals on Tuesday.

Long Island City CUNY Project Debated by Community

Thursday, March 27, 2008 | Queens Chronicle | Topic: Land Use

Plans were unveiled to the community for development of a site in Long Island City that will include market rate housing, CUNY graduate and faculty housing, open space, community space and a host of other amenities. Some in the community were concerned about the lack of affordable housing in the plan and were fearful of allowing a zoning variance for the construction, which would be greater than what is currently allowed in the area. The design for the site, which occupies a full block, attempts to say within the context of the neighborhood by including small gardens and courtyards. The site needs to be remediated and is expected to be done by 2010. The developers have said that because of the high costs of remediation, they will need a variance to make the project economically viable. Community Board 2 will vote on the plan in the next month.

Plans for CUNY Dorm Raise Tension in LIC

Tuesday, March 04, 2008 | New York Daily News | Topic: Land Use

A developer, OCA LIC, plans to reintroduce a proposal to build a 13-story mixed use building that would house doctoral students in Long Island City. This time around the developer plans to dedicate space to the Queens Council of the Arts to help garner public approval. The initial plan was rejected by the Land Use Committee of Community Board 2 in November. Some residents are upset with the proposal, stating that full time residents should be drawn to the neighborhood, not students. The City University of New York (CUNY) has said that the dormitory space would be used for Ph.D. candidates, some of whom have families and may stay for longer periods of time. This development is permissible under the zoning code that allows for greater density buildings if they contain a “community use.”

Second Phase of Cleanup at PepsiCo Site in LIC Set to Begin

Thursday, February 21, 2008 | Queens Chronicle | Topic: Environment

Efforts are underway to begin the second phase of cleanup at the former PepsiCo bottling plant in Long Island City. The bottling plant was demolished in 2003 to make way for development but remediation work was needed on the site to clean up damages most likely caused between 1850 -1936 when the site was used as an oil refinery. Development plans for the site include four buildings for residential and retail space, a school, parking garages and a park overlooking the East River. This phase of the remediation is expected to last from April till December of this year.

Dutch Kills Residents Demand Action from City Planning

Tuesday, February 19, 2008 | New York Daily News | Topic: Land Use

At a Dutch Kills Civic Association meeting last Thursday, residents attacked the city for taking too long to rezone their neighborhood to prevent as-of-right commercial buildings that they believe have overtaken their neighborhood. Efforts to rezone Dutch Kills began in May 2005 and according to the city, have been delayed because of a thorough environmental impact review. Since then, 11 new hotels have been built as-of-right in anticipation of the down zoning that will limit commercial development. John Young, Queens Planning Commissioner, has said that rezoning plans will be certified by May of this year. The certification triggers the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP), which could take up to 7 months to complete.

Councilmember Pushes for Special Permits Requirement for Hotels

Thursday, February 14, 2008 | Times Ledger | Topic: General

Eleven new hotels are currently being developed in Dutch Kills, an area with large numbers of residents in Long Island City. City Councilmember Eric Gioia is submitting a proposal to the city mandating that developers acquire special permits to build hotels in the city. Goia believes that hotels severely impact neighborhoods by impeding on the available parking and changing the overall character. Several of the 11 hotels in Dutch Kills currently under construction were not required to provide additional parking besides on-street parking.

Urban Farm to be Built at PS1 in Long Island City

Thursday, February 07, 2008 | New York Times | Topic: Urban Design & Architecture

Work Architecture’s unique “urban farm” concept was chosen as the winner of the Young Architects Program, the annual design contest to redesign the courtyard of the P.S.1 Contemporary Art Center. Barry Beldorf, who is chief curator of architecture and design at MoMA – a partner in the competition, said that the concept was quite different than any of the past winners’ designs. Principal architect Dan Wood described the design as “kind of a folded farm with a pool carved out of the middle.” The idea is to create an urban farm of sorts that is integrated with multimedia art installations. The architects have been talking to the Horticultural Society of New York and the Queens Botanical Garden and are interested in possibly designing part of the space to accommodate a real farmer’s market.

Rezoning in Dutch Kills Slow Process

Thursday, January 31, 2008 | Queens Chronicle | Topic: Land Use

Some residents of the Dutch Kills area in Eastern Queens are expressing anger at the speed in which the city has proceeded in rezoning efforts. In 2006 the city announced a proposal that would limit large commercial growth while promoting mixed use development and residential growth. An environmental impact study is still underway for the rezoning. Many residents are concerned that as the study progresses, developers are quickly buying land and building out of scale projects before the rezoning is made effective. Officials from the Department of City Planning contend that they remain committed to finalizing rezoning plans for this area of Queens.

MTA To Use Eminent Domain for East Side Access Project

Wednesday, December 19, 2007 | Newsday.com | Topic: Land Use

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is using eminent domain in order to acquire a converted warehouse that has housed Flux Factory, a non-profit art organization and gallery, for five years. This warehouse, located in Long Island City, is only part of the MTA’s larger plan to acquire land in the neighborhood for the East Side Access project.

New Condos for Long Island City

Friday, November 23, 2007 | Queens Ledger | Topic: Housing

The developer of two new condo buildings in Hunters Point celebrated their opening at a P.S. 1 to show their support and commitment to the community and the arts. The group plans to encourage the growth of the area’s art scene through continued contributions to P.S. 1. The two towers include residential units ranging in price from $400,000 to $1 million. The developer has said that Hunters Point’s attractions such as restaurants, access to the arts and views of Manhattan have made the market for real estate greater in the area. 25% of the condos in the two buildings have already been sold.

Advocates Claim That Hunters Point South Isn’t Affordable

Wednesday, November 21, 2007 | New York Daily News | Topic: Housing

Affordable housing advocates contend that the proposed Hunters Point South housing development in Queens West is too expensive for 60% of local residents. Mayor Bloomberg announced that the housing would target families making approximately $60,000 to $145,000 a year, but advocates maintain that most families living in Queens make less than $45,000 a year.

New Zoning Not Coming Fast Enough in LIC, say Some Residents

Monday, November 19, 2007 | New York Daily News | Topic: Land Use

As residents anticipate the rezoning of a 70 acre site in Long Island City, many worry that developers are rushing to build large scale developments to avoid the new zoning change. The expected new zoning will allow for mixed use buildings, 3-4 story commercial buildings and 6-7 story apartment buildings. Some in the Dutch Hills Civic Association claim that large hotels are being built on side streets which may lead to condo conversions. Currently, special permits are needed from the city for new residential space. The environmental review process needed for zoning changes will begin soon.

Long Island City Ripe for Development

Thursday, October 04, 2007 | New York Sun | Topic: Economic Development

Property in Long Island City is being purchased quickly by many large real estate investors who see the tremendous potential that the neighborhood has. These investors are proposing residential development as well as commercial and retail investments. Some of this development can be attributed to Long Island City's location directly across the East River from Manhattan, to viable transit options and to the city’s plan to redevelop Queens Plaza starting in 2008. The Vice Chairman of the real estate company Cushman –Wakefield credited the “upzoning of the area” as an attraction for businesses to move to Long Island City."

Site of Hunters Point Power Plant Cleared for Condominiums

Tuesday, August 21, 2007 | New York Daily News | Topic: Economic Development

Construction continues on a 175-unit condominium in Long Island City on the site formerly occupied by the Hunters Point power plant. The new condominium complex is a sign to many of the area’s conversion from its industrial past to today’s residential reality. In spite of arguments by preservationists, the historical chimneys marking the power plant were demolished two years ago to make room for the new construction.

Ross's Queens West Vision

Wednesday, May 16, 2007 | New York Times | Topic: Housing

One of New York City’s most prolific developers, Stephen M. Ross, wants a publicly-owned land parcel in Queens West in Long Island City to be the new home to a middle-income housing complex. Ross’s vision for this site is unique, however; he wants fellow private developers to build, rent, and sell the apartments at a profit margin of zero.

Cause of Hotel Boom in Long Island City: Manhattan Condo-Hotels?

Friday, April 20, 2007 | Times Ledger | Topic: Economic Development

The arrival of two new luxury hotels in Long Island City, the Ravel Hotel and the Z Hotel, signal the area’s attractiveness to tourists and business travelers. The Ravel Hotel will open by this summer’s end, while the Z hotel will welcome its first guests within two years. When asked to explain the growth of “upscale” hotels in Long Island City some developers responded that the recent phenomenon of hotel-condominiums in Manhattan have made Queens a likely spot for hotel construction. Analysts believe that New York’s massive tourism industry is well served by diversifying locations for hotels.

Long Island City Residents See Developments along 31th Street

Wednesday, April 18, 2007 | Queens Gazette | Topic: Housing

Queens residents in Long Island City are already experiencing an upturn in residential development in their area, citing separate projects on 31st Street near Broadway, 37th Avenue, and 38th Avenue. The 65-unit development near Broadway, scheduled to be finished in the fall of 2008, will also feature parking and medical office space. In many cases these developments in Long Island City are occurring on previously vacant and underutilized parcels of land. The Dutch Kills Civic Association credits the permanence of homeownership in the area on recent zoning changes.

First Quarter Home Sales in Queens are Low

Wednesday, April 18, 2007 | The Real Estate, New York Observer | Topic: Housing

Housing data released by firms Miller Samuel and Prudential Douglas Elliman show that homes in Queens sold less quickly in the first quarter of 2007 by 12%, as measured by the “average number of days it takes to sell,” from their figures in the fourth quarter of 2006. Compounding this slowdown is the fact that average sales prices of homes are also down in Queens by as much at 10% during the two periods. These trends in Queens contrast strongly with those in Manhattan where selling time is down and sales prices of homes are high. Miller Samuel does not think that the data is problematic in that new home development is a relatively new phenomenon in the city’s second most populous borough. He cites the recent development of Queens West, a 5,000-unit development in Long Island City as evidence of change.

Long Island City Emerging as New Residential Center

Monday, April 02, 2007 | AM New York | Topic: Housing

Long Island City is finally being recognized for development potential with easy access to Manhattan with a recent burst of redevelopment in the area. At least twenty-five residential developments have been built or are planned for the waterfront. Developers have invested heavily in the area, for example Rockrose development has one residential tower completed, one under construction, and five more planned. In addition the 5,000 unit Queens West development is being targeted for middle-income housing.

A New Solution to the Financing Subsidized Developments?

Thursday, March 29, 2007 | Times Ledger | Topic: Finance

The Real Estate Board of New York is supporting creation of a specialized not-for-profit organization which will be able to support financing of Queens West housing development through tax-exempt bonds. If the city were to create the non-profit, The Real Estate Board could actually issue the bonds to the non-profit which would technically own the development. The city in turn would own the non-profit. The city has no plans to create such a nonprofit at this time, but the Real Estate Board believes it could be a valuable tool in financing other large developments throughout the city. The Queens West project is expected to cover 24 acres of land which was transferred from Port Authority to the city in order to build a mixed use development focusing on middle-income affordable housing.

Catalyst for Growth: A Failed Olympic Bid

Sunday, March 18, 2007 | Crain's New York Business | Topic: Economic Development

New York's loss to London in its attempt to host the 2012 Olympics has steered the city onto a path of economic development and rebuilding, according to Crain's New York Business. The article details how many current development projects in New York, particularly those situated on prime waterfront property and suited for transportation sites and housing, are fruits of the failed bid. Deputy Mayor Daniel Doctoroff, who worked with Yale urban planner Alex Garvin, engineered a plan to redevelop underutilized land in the city for the Olympics. The plan, according to Doctoroff, is now informing the city's sustainable growth plan for the year 2025.

Long Island City Affordable-Housing Project Seeking Financing Solutions

Sunday, March 18, 2007 | Crain's New York Business | Topic: Finance

With the New York State Housing Finance Agency short of funds, developers are looking for innovative solutions to their financing. Developers of a proposed 24-acre affordable housing development in Long Island City have proposed creating a non-profit group to issue tax-exempt bonds to the project. While the State Housing Finance Agency has a limited number of federal bonds it can issue, non-profits do not have such limitations. The Real Estate Board has stated that an announcement about a new affordable housing program in New York would be made within sixty days. Plans for the Long Island City project are still unclear, but after rezoning and infrastructure investment the hope is to create at least 5,000 new housing units, with at least sixty percent affordable to middle-income families.

Commission Considers Landmarks in West Village and Queens

Wednesday, March 07, 2007 | AM New York | Topic: Historic Preservation & Landmarks

The city's Landmarks Preservation Commission has granted landmark status to three buildings in the West Village area: the Keller Hotel at 150 Barrow Street, 354 West 11th Street, and 159 Charles Street. The Keller Hotel's tie to the maritime trade along the Hudson River was the primary motivation for its landmark designation. The Commission is also considering landmark status for the entire Sunnyside Gardens development in Queens, a 610 townhouse and 54 acre complex built between 1924 and 1928 for the borough's middle and low-income workers.

The Hotel Boom in Long Island City

Sunday, February 18, 2007 | New York Times | Topic: Economic Development

Six years after Long Island City, Queens had a rezoning to allow for more commercial and residential uses the area has become home to a thriving hotel market. Situated across the East River, Long Island City is popular among hotel and condominium developers fleeing higher land costs in Manhattan. The popularity of the "hotel-condo" in Manhattan has caused the supply of hotel rooms in the city to diminish. Developers point not only to lower development costs in the area but easy transportation to the heart of Manhattan as a reason for their migration to Long Island City.

Long Island City Activists Focus on Diversity and Density

Thursday, January 25, 2007 | New York Sun | Topic: Land Use

With the rapid change of pace in Long Island City, community leaders are both welcome the large scale developments that have already been planned while trying to maintain diversity and an eco-friendly focus in the neighborhood. Residential towers have been welcomed as a land and energy efficient form of expansion. However, neighborhood activist Mr. Baard also hopes to attract eco-friendly businesses, maintain green space in the form of a 16-mile waterfront greenway, and secure cheap space for artists.

Long Island City in First Stages of Transformation

Thursday, January 25, 2007 | New York Post | Topic: Economic Development

With approximately fifty new buildings either under construction or in the planning stages, residents believe that Long Island City, Queens, may become the next booming neighborhood of the outer-boroughs. Rockrose Development, which is planning six water-front residential towers in the area, cites the easy access to Manhattan and transportation as well as the excellent views as factors that are bringing in new residents.

LPC Turns Down Historical Hackett Building in Queens

Friday, January 19, 2007 | New York Daily News | Topic: Historic Preservation & Landmarks

The city’s Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) has rejected an application to designate landmark status to the historical Hackett Building in Long Island City. Having served as Queens Borough Hall from 1898 to 1916, the building is underway for condominium development. The Commission cited the presence of numerous retail tenants as evidence of the building’s compromise as a historical building.

A Call for More Landmarks in Queens

Friday, January 19, 2007 | Queens Chronicle | Topic: Historic Preservation & Landmarks

This piece by the Queens Chronicle advocates for the use of landmark designations to preserve historical neighborhoods in Queens, like Sunnyside Gardens, from the continued growth of commercial and residential real estate development. Citing the borough’s lack of landmarking relative to Manhattan and Brooklyn, the Chronicle argues that landmarks actually preserve neighborhood unity and increase quality of life, contrary to the claims of landmarking critics.

Queens Left Out of 421-A Reforms, Advocates Suggest

Wednesday, January 10, 2007 | New York Daily News | Topic: Housing

Tenant advocates argue that poor and middle-income residents of Queens were ignored last month when the City Council revamped 421-A, a tax system that awards tax breaks to developers who build affordable housing units. The Council’s overhaul of the system, seen as a give-away to luxury developers, allows tax breaks to developers in major areas of Brooklyn and Manhattan only if 20% of constructed units are affordable to low-and median-income residents. In Queens, however, only a geographic area along the East River mandates 20% affordable units. While tenant advocates fear this limited affordability mandate will hurt low-income Queens’ residents, local supporters of the 421-A overhaul believe that Queens would forego necessary investment and development with a greater affordability requirement for developers.

Many New Rental Apartments Being Built

Thursday, November 30, 2006 | New York Sun | Topic: Housing

Manhattan’s incredibly low vacancy rate for rental apartments has triggered a number of developers to focus on construction of residential rental apartments. New rental buildings are planned or already under construction in West Chelsea, the Lower East Side, and Long Island City.

MetLife To Shrink Long Island City Workforce

Friday, November 24, 2006 | Queens Tribune | Topic: Economic Development

MetLife recently renegotiated a deal with the City to relocate more than 1,000 jobs from Long Island City to Manhattan. The insurer will keep a significant force in Queens for the next few years. MetLife made the move to Long Island City in 2001 in a deal that included tax breaks in exchange for an assurance that they would remain in New York City through 2021.

Upgrading Long Island City's Electrical Grid

Thursday, November 09, 2006 | Queens Ledger | Topic: Economic Development

Con Ed has promised to invest $58 million in Long Island City’s electrical infrastructure and to add 250 phone lines to its call centers in the wake of last summer’s blackout. Queens officials have argued that with projected population growth in Long Island City of one million people over the next ten years the utility and the City need ensure that the system is prepared for future heat waves.

Affordable Housing Advocates and City Differ on Queens West

Wednesday, November 08, 2006 | Queens Gazette | Topic: Housing

Community activists maintain that 5,000 planned affordable units in Queens West development are out of reach for lower-income individuals and families, given that 60% of Queens’ families make less than $60,000 per year. The City, through its Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), disagrees, arguing that the $60,000 to $145,000 per year qualification is the range of income for a family of four. Accordingly, the minimum eligible income will fall, according to HPD, for families with fewer members.

Who's The Winner: Jacobs Or Moses?

Monday, November 06, 2006 | Gotham Gazette | Topic: Politics & Government

The Gotham Gazette considers the recent sale of Stuyvesant Town and the City's announced housing development in Long Island City through the prism of two luminaries in the planning community: Robert Moses and Jane Jacobs. The Gazette analyzes whether the Jacobs or Moses philosophy is more influential in present day New York.

Queens West: Advocate for the Middle Class?

Friday, November 03, 2006 | New York Daily News | Topic: Housing

In an opinion piece, Errol Louis argues that affordable housing advocates are misguided in their assertion that the city’s Queens West project will dislocate and price out the area’s poorest residents. He argues that middle-class housing, like Queens West, with subsidized apartments for families of four, is exactly what the city needs to keep the middle-class from leaving for the suburbs.

Is Proposed Queens Housing Truly Affordable?

Wednesday, November 01, 2006 | NY1 | Topic: Housing

Queens residents are concerned that new housing to be developed by the City in Long Island City won’t be affordable to most current residents of the area. The Queens Affordable Housing Coalition says that three out of every five area households could not afford to live in the proposed complex.

A New Gateway To Queens

Thursday, October 26, 2006 | Queens Ledger | Topic: Land Use

Queens congresswoman Carolyn Maloney says that “there are 39 new development projects already in the ground, and 4 million new square feet of new space on the drawing board" for the borough. One major project which she hopes will come to fruition is the improvement of Queens Plaza by redesigning traffic flows and creating new open space. While official plans are forthcoming, the Queens Ledger says the project could cost about $22 million and be completed by 2009.

5,000 Affordable Housing Units Join Queens West

Wednesday, October 25, 2006 | Queens Gazette | Topic: Economic Development

Plans to build 5,000 units of affordable housing along the East River waterfront in Long Island City, announced last week by Mayor Michael Bloomberg, will go a long way toward completing development of the swath of land stretching north from Newtown Creek. The development is joined on the north by the luxury residential housing already built as part of the Queens West development.

Queens Senior Housing Nearing Completion

Thursday, October 19, 2006 | Queens Chronicle | Topic: Housing

A 79 unit apartment complex reserved for low income senior citizens in the Hunters Point Queens West development is anticipated to be completed by May 2006. The 32 story building is partially funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which gave $13.9 million for the construction, and the Queens West Development Corporation. Special services will be available for residents, many of whom are eagerly anticipating moving to their new home.

Long Island City: Big Moves To Come?

Thursday, September 28, 2006 | New York Sun | Topic: Economic Development

The New York Sun reports on a boom in real estate activity in Long Island City, including one unconfirmed report that entertainment giant Viacom could be planning a significant move to the Queens neighborhood. The article also reports on moves by a large number of financial firms, suggesting that LIC could soon be called “Wall Street East.” Also included is a recounting of major commercial real estate activity in the neighborhood since the 1980’s.

Bank Branch For Underserved Queens Neighborhood

Tuesday, September 26, 2006 | Crain's New York Business | Topic: Economic Development

Amalgamated Bank, the country's only union-owned bank, is opening a new branch in Long Island City, Queens. The neighborhood is one of 11 in the city identified as underserved by the New York State Banking Department. Expected to open in February 2007, the branch will benefit from below-market-rate deposits from the city and the state.

Silvercup Goes Green

Monday, September 25, 2006 | BusinessWeek | Topic: Environment

Silvercup Studios is on board to adopt a new green roof. Long Island City has been singled out as the best suited for the environmentally friendly measure because of its limited park space, flat rooftops, and asthma inducing air quality. The use of green-roofs in Chicago is widespread because it is required of any developer who receives financial help from the city.

Metlife's Potential Move Is Bad News For Long Island City

Thursday, September 14, 2006 | New York Times | Topic: Economic Development

The New York Times reports that the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company is close to making a deal to move 1,700 workers back to Manhattan from Long Island City where they moved five years ago partially spurred by incentives offered by the Giuliani administration. Some city officials are angry about MetLife’s decision. One city council member said: “They got a lot of taxpayer benefits to move here. The city should recoup every dime.”

Long Island City's Green Revolution

Thursday, September 14, 2006 | Metropolis Magazine | Topic: Urban Design & Architecture

Long Island City’s Silvercup Studios has became the site of New York’s largest green roof. A 2002 study found that there is enough suitable flat roof space in Long Island City to cover more than 26 million square feet with green-roof technology. Environmental advocates believe the neighborhood could become a model for green-roof development – and hope the Silvercup project will act as a catalyst.

Two Thumbs Up For Silvercup Studios

Thursday, August 17, 2006 | Times Ledger | Topic: General

The approval of the $1 billion expansion project for Silvercup Studios passed as expected. The design will build eight new soundstages, affordable and luxury housing and retail space along the Long Island City Waterfront and create nearly 4,000 new jobs.

Silvercup's Approved and Long Island City's the Place-to-Be

Wednesday, August 16, 2006 | New York Sun | Topic: Economic Development

Yesterday, the Silvercup West project received unanimous approval from the City Council's Land Use Committee, and it is expected to pass the full council today. The project required several zoning changes, including a switch to residential from manufacturing use. Long Island City is fast becoming the next hot thing in New York neighborhoods.

Future's Bright for Queens

Thursday, June 15, 2006 | Queens Tribune | Topic: Politics & Government

New York State Comptroller Alan Hevesi joined Borough President Helen Marshall and the Queens Economic Development Corporation to report a growing and vibrant Queen's economy, calling it "an attractive place to live" and the "immigrant center of the world."

City Makes First Move To Rezone Dutch Kills

Thursday, May 18, 2006 | Queens Chronicle | Topic: Land Use

Officials from the New York City Department of City Planning unveiled plans to rezone the Dutch Kills area of Long Island City at a meeting of the Dutch Kills Civic Association last Thursday night at St. Patrick’s School.

Zoning Review In Queens

Thursday, April 13, 2006 | Queens Tribune | Topic: Land Use

14 Queens neighborhoods are under zoning review by the Department of City planning. The review is intended to develop zoning ideas that would develop the various neighborhoods.

Silvercup Project Gets CB2's Approval

Wednesday, April 12, 2006 | Other | Topic: General

The commercial and residential complex proposed for construction in Long Island City, known as Silvercup West, has received CB2's approval at a recent meeting. The plan was endorsed at great length by experts, officials, and citizens while being criticized only briefly.

2 CoEast River Development: Two Condo Towers

Wednesday, March 29, 2006 | Other | Topic: Land Use

Twin 19-story residential towers will soon rise at 34-45 Vernon Blvd thanks to a zoning change from R5 to R7-1. The change will also help create a publicly accessible waterfront.

Housing Stock to Increase

Wednesday, March 22, 2006 | Other | Topic: Land Use

Land Use hearings in Borough Hall indicate that the housing stock in Long Island City and Flushing is likely to increase. Variances are being granted to those willing to keep community goals in mind.

Silvercup Development May Help Neighborhood

Wednesday, March 15, 2006 | Other | Topic: Economic Development

The Silvercup West studio development may provide much-needed jobs and retail to its Long Island City neighborhood, which includes the Queensbridge Houses, the largest public housing complex in the US.

Another Big Building Going Up

Thursday, March 09, 2006 | New York Daily News | Topic: Urban Design & Architecture

Ground broke yesterday on the 5th major building at the site of the former Pepsi Plant in Queens West. This glass-walled tower is part of the larger, $1 billion project underway, at the 21 acre site.

Long Island City: 27 New Residential Projects In The Works

Thursday, March 02, 2006 | Times Ledger | Topic: Economic Development

Business leaders, developers, and realtors alike all agree that Long Island City is fast becoming a hot spot for residential development.

Silvercup West Moving Forward

Wednesday, February 22, 2006 | Other | Topic: Economic Development

The Silvercup West facility will be adjacent to the landmark property known as the New York Architectural Terra Cotta Co. building. An element of Silvercup's redevelopment will include restoring the landmark for reuse and will incorporate many environmentally sound designs.

Silvercup Builder Ambitious On The East River

Wednesday, February 22, 2006 | New York Post | Topic: Economic Development

Renderings of Silvercup West, what would be one of Queen's biggest private developments ever, were unveiled at a City Planning Commission on Feb. 21 as a seven-month public review of the proposal began.

Silvercup Studio Proposes A One Billion Dollar, Six-Acre, Complex In Long Island City

Wednesday, February 22, 2006 | New York Times | Topic: Economic Development

Silvercup Studios hopes to create a Hollywood of the east that would be called Silvercup West. The project was designed by Lord Richard Rogers, best known for the Pompidou Center, and would include eight soundstages, production and studio support space, offices for media and entertainment companies, stores, 1000 apartments, a catering hall, and a cultural institution.

Queens: The Booming Borough

Thursday, February 02, 2006 | Other | Topic: Economic Development

Housing vacancy in Queens is at a citywide low (2 percent) and developers are responding by increasing the residential supply. Various neighborhoods, including Long Island City are experiencing a rapid change from Old Industrial to Urban Living.

Time Is Ticking Towards A Development Explosion In Lond Island City

Monday, January 16, 2006 | Other | Topic: Economic Development

Recent zoning modifications that allow high-density, mixed-use development in the area combined with economic incentives are sparking major plans for development that would transform the Long Island City's waterfront community.

A service of the Furman Center for Real Estate and Urban Policy at New York University

A capstone project of the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service

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