Long Island City rezoning approved, set to add 15,000 housing units and enhance waterfront development.
The New York City Council has approved an ambitious rezoning plan for Long Island City, known as “OneLIC,” which is set to transform the area with the construction of approximately 15,000 new homes. This approval was granted during a significant vote on Wednesday, marking it as the largest neighborhood development initiative in decades. The OneLIC plan is designed to rezone a substantial 54-block waterfront area, facilitating the creation of nearly 15,000 residential units, with 4,350 of these designated as affordable housing. Additionally, the plan will introduce around 4 million square feet of commercial and community space to the region.
Local Councilmember Julie Won has been a strong advocate for the project, actively securing nearly billion in funding aimed at enhancing parks, infrastructure, public housing, and educational facilities. During negotiations, she emphasized that this financial support is long overdue, especially in a community that has seen extensive development over the past three decades. Won expressed optimism that the implementation of the OneLIC Plan will foster a more integrated Long Island City, where current and future residents can thrive.
The rezoning area also falls within the jurisdiction of mayoral-elect Zohran Mamdani, who formally endorsed the OneLIC plan. Mamdani described it as a significant victory for local residents, promising new affordable housing and nearly billion in investment for community needs, including public housing and open spaces. Although he did not play a direct role in the rezoning process as an Assembly member, the transition into the mayoral office positions him to confront the city’s ongoing housing challenges.
Long Island City has already experienced substantial growth, largely driven by prior rezonings and development initiatives, although past efforts have been criticized for not adequately addressing the need for affordable housing. The passage of the OneLIC Plan is positioned as a step toward rectifying these past shortcomings.
While senior officials from the Adam administration were present to celebrate the passage of the rezoning, Mayor Adams, who is set to leave office on December 31, was notably absent from the event. This last neighborhood rezoning reflects a broader strategy to create, preserve, or plan for over 433,000 homes, although officials acknowledge that this figure falls short of the ambitious target of 500,000 homes initially set by the Adams administration. First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro expressed hope that the incoming administration will continue the momentum for neighborhood-wide rezonings in the future.
As Long Island City embarks on this new chapter of development, the implications for its residents and the surrounding community remain to be seen, highlighting the ongoing dialogue around housing, affordability, and urban growth within New York City.
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