New York Construction Report staff writer
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani met with President Donald Trump this week to propose a historic investment in affordable housing at Sunnyside Yard, home to the busiest rail yard in North America. The proposal is being called a once-in-a-generation opportunity that would create about 30,000, good-paying construction union jobs.
Mamdani is looking for more than $21 billion in federal grants to construct the world’s largest deck over the site, allowing the city to build 12,000 new affordable homes, new parks, schools and health care clinics. If approved, the project would be the largest housing and infrastructure investment in New York City in more than 50 years.
“New York City is facing a generational affordability challenge,” Mamdani said. “Working families are being priced out of the neighborhoods they built. To meet this moment, we need a true federal partner prepared to invest boldly and act urgently.
“I appreciated the opportunity to speak directly with President Trump about building more housing in any single project than our city has seen since 1973.”
Mamdani also underscored New York’s commitment to transparency, fiscal responsibility and collaboration in deploying federal funds – ensuring every dollar delivers safe, affordable housing for New Yorkers.
Discussions are expected to continue in the weeks ahead.
