New York City has just made major progress on plans that aim to deliver thousands of homes to multiple communities.
In fact, one of them, the Jamaica Neighborhood Plan, has gotten the final approval from the city's Council thanks to a unanimous 47-0 vote. This means, pending Mayor Eric Adams' signature, that nearly 12,000 new homes will be coming to Queens through almost 230 blocks, with roughly 4,000 getting designated affordable. Moreover, Adams' administration is investing more than $400 million in Jamaica's infrastructure, which includes enhancements to the sewer, improvements to public spaces and safer and walkable spaces.
Another big piece of news was the OneLIC Neighborhood Plan getting the green light from both the New York City Council’s Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises and Committee on Land Use. This initiative would deliver nearly 15,000 new homes to the community, with 4,350 permanently affordable units. Plus, OneLIC will include a $905 million investment, which will also bring in new schools to the area, renovated parks and open spaces, upgrades to NYCHA residences and enhance transportation and public realm. To turn the plan into action, all that is needed is final approval from the NYC Council and Adams' signature.
And lastly, the New York City Council approved a plan that will redevelop the Bronx's Kingsbridge Armory. This will be delivered over two phases. The first will include space for light industrial manufacturing, entertainment, recreational, commercial and community space. And the second portion will get about 500 permanent affordable homes. The project in Kingsbridge will get a $216 million investment and generate an estimated $2.9 billion economic output to NYC, according to Adams.
"With today’s three HISTORIC votes, we’re delivering thousands of new homes across Jamaica, Long Island City, and Kingsbridge Heights to working-class New Yorkers," the Mayor celebrated in an X post.
"There’s no other way to say it: We are the MOST PRO-HOUSING ADMINISTRATION in city history."
This all comes after the City Council gave the final thumbs up to the Midtown South Mixed-Use Plan over the summer, which aims to create roughly 9,700 homes (more than 2,800 affordable) in Manhattan. Plus, $488 million will be invested in making infrastructure and benefits improvements in the area. This applies to trees, lighting upgrades, subway renovations, creating a car-free busway, revitalizing schools and hospital projects.
Next up, voters will decide in the coming days who the next Mayor of Gotham will be. As of now, all signs point to it being Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani, barring a big upset. The latest Kalshi odds give him a 91 percent chance of winning. Plus, on the ballot, voters can approve three ballot initiatives, which fast-track applications, simplify the review process for modest projects and establish an appeals board to potentially override decisions. These can all lead to major changes in the planning and approval process in the city — but the hope is that this will lead to more homes quicker.
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