Mayor Eric Adams along, with community leaders came together in Queens to celebrate the commencement of construction for a scale affordable housing development at Willets Point. This significant milestone signifies the step, in the citys plan to revitalize and transform the vicinity surrounding Citi Field.
The Willets Point transformation involves collaboration between the city government and co developers, Related Companies and Sterling Equities. The goal of this project is to provide over 2,500 homes, create 35,000 square feet of new public open space and make significant improvements to the infrastructure. Over the three decades it is estimated that this initiative will generate an impact of $6.1 billion while also creating 1,550 permanent jobs and 14,200 construction jobs.
First Phase of the affordable housing development at Willets Point
According to Adams, the project, at 38 21 Seaver Way will include 880 apartments. This development is part of a plan to bring market rate apartments to Willets Point in the near future. It’s noteworthy that this initiative represents the city’s expansion of affordable housing, in forty years.
“We’re embarking on a project of a lifetime constructing the affordable housing development our city has seen in four decades” the mayor expressed. “What we’re witnessing in Willets Point represents the future of New York City—a future where every New Yorker can comfortably reside in an apartment, near schools well-paying jobs, green spaces and convenient public transportation.”
The first part of the plan to redevelop Willets Point, dubbed “Phase One”, is set to wrap up in 2026. This initial stage will see two apartment buildings go up, which will serve as the cornerstone for the broader ambitions to transform the neighborhood. The larger vision calls for tons of new housing, a professional soccer stadium, a brand new public school, 22,000 square feet of shops and restaurants, and 30,000 square feet of community green spaces and plazas for people to gather.
Out of the new affordable houses being built at Willets Point Phase One, about 15% of them will be reserved for New Yorkers who were previously homeless and getting back on their feet. Another 40% of the units will be priced way below market rate, to make sure lower income families can afford them too. They’re setting aside these “deeply affordable” homes so folks earning less than 60% of the typical household income in the area will have quality housing options as well.
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