Long Island City rezoning approved, enabling 15,000 new homes and waterfront development.

The New York City Council has approved the Adams administration’s ambitious “OneLIC” rezoning initiative, paving the way for the construction of approximately 15,000 new homes in Long Island City, marking a significant urban development effort in the area. This plan, which encompasses around 54 blocks along the waterfront, is hailed as the largest neighborhood rezoning in decades.

The “OneLIC” plan aims to facilitate the development of nearly 15,000 new apartments, including 4,350 units designated as affordable housing. In addition to residential offerings, the project will create around 4 million square feet of commercial and community space, responding to the growing demand for diverse urban services and amenities in this burgeoning neighborhood.

Local Councilmember Julie Won has been a prominent supporter of the initiative, having recently secured nearly billion in funding for infrastructure improvements, parks, NYCHA (New York City Housing Authority), and the addition of 1,300 new school seats. Won characterized this funding as “long overdue,” emphasizing its importance in supporting the community’s needs.

In a statement following the final vote, Won expressed her belief that the plan represents a crucial step towards creating a more integrated Long Island City. She noted the historical context, remarking that developers have had significant influence over neighborhood development for the past three decades, a trend that the OneLIC plan seeks to reverse.

The rezoned area falls within the district of mayoral-elect Zohran Mamdani, who publicly endorsed the plan, stating that it will deliver new affordable housing and nearly billion in investments focused on community infrastructure, schools, and access to public spaces along the waterfront. While Mamdani, as an Assembly member, did not play a formal role in the rezoning process, he is expected to take on significant responsibilities as mayor in addressing the city’s ongoing housing crisis.

Long Island City has already been experiencing a surge in population and development activity as a result of previous rezonings and initiatives that aimed to increase affordable housing stock. However, critics have noted that earlier efforts have often fallen short of addressing the critical housing needs of the community.

While the recent approval of the OneLIC plan has been met with enthusiasm among local leaders, it has also sparked discussions about the future direction of housing policy in New York City. Recent efforts under Mayor Adams have facilitated initiatives aimed at creating, preserving, or planning for over 433,000 homes. Despite these advancements, the city remains below the ambitious goal of 500,000 new homes set by the administration.

First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro noted the importance of continued collaboration between city officials and the City Council to foster further neighborhood-wide rezonings, suggesting a commitment to expanded housing development initiatives in the years to come. As the Adams administration prepares for its transition, the effectiveness and impact of the OneLIC plan will be closely monitored by both residents and officials alike.

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