New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Dan Garodnick, the Director of City Planning and Chair of the City Planning Commission, have announced the initiation of the public review process for the Jamaica Neighborhood Plan. This plan aims to revitalize Jamaica, Queens, by creating nearly 12,000 new homes, including around 4,000 that will be permanently income-restricted affordable homes, as outlined in an update on zoning to encourage development within a 230-block vicinity. In a statement to the press, the Mayor highlighted the effort to construct a forward-thinking neighborhood with sustainable jobs, affordable housing, and inviting public spaces. “A home is more than just four walls and a roof — it’s the foundation needed to achieve the American Dream and thrive in the greatest city on the globe. For the residents of Jamaica, we’re one step closer to making that dream a reality for generations to come,“ Adams told NYC.gov.

As the Jamaica Neighborhood Plan's public review is underway, investments have also been announced, including $300 million to improve sewer systems, enhance access to transit, and establish open spaces, besides fostering job training and backing for local cultural institutions. Touted as a strategy to bolster the local economy, this ambitious plan anticipates the creation of more than 7,000 jobs.

The undergoing plan is designed after more than two years of engaging with the community. Deputy Mayor for Housing Economic Development and Workforce Adolfo Carrión, Jr., expressed gratitude for the community’s inputs that helped shape the plan. "Jamaica is already an incredibly rich and diverse neighborhood, and we look forward to heralding its next chapter as we formally kick off the public review process for the Jamaica Neighborhood Plan, which will deliver over 12,000 new homes and strengthen the local economy, as well as improving area infrastructure and quality of life,” Carrión stated, as obtained by the city's website.

The proposal also includes the expansion of commercial and industrial spaces, thereby generating an additional 2 million square feet for these sectors. These developments are part of a broader initiative by Mayor Adams to scale up affordable housing across the boroughs. His administration has been instrumental in forwarding diverse housing projects such as the recent announcement of a new phase for Coney Island and continuous investments in the city's infrastructure. In addition to the zoning updates in Jamaica, the Adams administration is enhancing public spaces and infrastructure, as per the plan, to accommodate the neighborhood's growth, demonstrating the holistic nature of the project.

Community engagement has been a cornerstone in crafting the Jamaica Neighborhood Plan, with input gathered through a collaborative process involving over 50 neighborhood stakeholders. This engagement resulted in 40 public meetings with hundreds attending, alongside nearly 3,000 comments recorded. These meetings were steered by Queens Community Board 12, local advocacy groups, and elected officials. Additionally, the Department of City Planning collaborated with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology on a tool to visualize the influence of public feedback on the plan. The initiative now enters a rough seven-month Uniform Land Use Review Procedure, including community board reviews and votes at the City Planning Commission and the New York City Council.

“The Jamaica Neighborhood Plan will ensure the area remains a home for working class residents, expanded job opportunities, much needed infrastructure improvements, new green spaces and enhancements to the public realm. We appreciate the Adams administration, the Department of City Planning, Borough President Richards and Councilmember Williams for their commitment to Jamaica,” Justin Rodgers, president & CEO of the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation, explained, as noted by NYC.gov.