New York Construction Report staff writer
A major new development plan for Long Island City (LIC) in Queens has officially entered the public review process, marking a significant step toward transforming the area into a more affordable, accessible, and economically robust neighborhood. The OneLIC Neighborhood Plan aims to bring nearly 15,000 new homes and 14,400 new jobs to the area, along with a revitalized waterfront and expanded commercial space.
This initiative would revamp local zoning and map Mandatory Inclusionary Housing — which requires new developments to include permanently affordable housing — on a wide scale in the neighborhood for the first time, creating nearly 14,700 new homes. Finally, the plan would increase commercial and industrial space in the area, creating 14,400 new jobs and bolstering economic opportunities for residents, workers, and business owners alike. OneLIC is the Adams administration’s fifth neighborhood plan to enter the public review process.
If adopted, the five neighborhood plans would deliver more than 50,000 housing units to New Yorkers over the next 15 years.
Spanning parts of the East River waterfront and stretching from Crescent Street to 47th Avenue, the plan includes an ambitious zoning overhaul to unlock new housing opportunities and provide more equitable access to LIC’s waterfront. One of the most notable features of the plan is the application of Mandatory Inclusionary Housing (MIH), which will require new developments to set aside permanently affordable housing units.
More than 45 percent of renters in Long Island City spend more than 30 percent of their income on rent. The OneLIC plan seeks to address this challenge by creating an estimated 4,000 income-restricted homes, enough to house roughly 10,000 New Yorkers. It also envisions the use of city-owned sites to further increase affordable housing availability, such as the planned development at 44-59 45th Avenue, which will offer 320 income-restricted units.
“Long Island City is exactly the kind of place where we should add new homes,” said Dan Garodnick, Director of the Department of City Planning (DCP) and Chair of the City Planning Commission (CPC). “With its central location, great transit access, and diverse economic base, this plan will help unlock new housing and job opportunities while creating a more accessible and resilient waterfront.”
In addition to affordable housing, there will also be more than 3.5 million square feet of new commercial and industrial space. A key part of this initiative is the transformation of city-owned sites, like the one at 44-36 Vernon Boulevard, which will be developed into a mix of community-focused uses, potentially including commercial, cultural, and retail spaces.
One of the standout features of the OneLIC plan is its focus on improving waterfront access. Despite LIC’s expansive waterfront, public access has been limited or disjointed in many areas. The plan seeks to unify the waterfront from Gantry Plaza State Park to Queensbridge Park, creating a continuous and resilient public space. By coordinating between public and private property owners, the plan aims to incentivize active street-level uses, recreational areas, and waterfront amenities, creating vibrant public spaces for both residents and visitors.
“By transforming these underutilized areas and improving public access, we will make the waterfront a central part of the community,” said Leila Bozorg, Executive Director for Housing. “This plan will provide better spaces for recreation and bring people closer to the water.”
The plan also emphasizes the importance of supporting existing residents while encouraging new development. To that end, the city plans to collaborate with community-based organizations and local leaders to offer resources like tenant rights education, housing resource fairs, and programs aimed at assisting homeowners with repairs and financial support.
The OneLIC Neighborhood Plan follows nearly two years of community engagement, ensuring that local voices are central to the development process. As part of the public review, residents and stakeholders will have the opportunity to provide feedback, which will help shape the final plan before it moves forward.
Long Island City has become a rapidly growing economic and cultural hub, thanks to its strategic location, strong transit connections, and proximity to Manhattan. However, parts of the neighborhood have been held back by outdated zoning rules that restrict new development, particularly in areas with great potential for growth.
The OneLIC plan is expected to create a balanced approach that offers more housing and jobs while enhancing the quality of life for current and future residents.
