New York City Mayor Eric Adams and the Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) launched "Housing Week" by unveiling a major redevelopment plan for the long-unused Flushing Airport site. The proposal, announced yesterday, outlines the creation of approximately 3,000 new housing units and 60 acres of public green space in College Point, Queens. The project will be led by Cirrus Workforce Housing and LCOR Incorporated, two NYC-based firms, and is expected to generate around $3.2 billion in economic activity over the next 30 years. "For too many decades, this valuable land has sat vacant, but our administration said it was time to change that," Mayor Adams said in a press release.
The development aligns with Mayor Adams's executive order from the previous year, calling on city agencies to identify potential housing sites on city-owned land. The Cirrus-LCOR proposal pledges to not only provide housing but also to incorporate sustainable designs and quality landscaping that respects the surrounding wetlands. Construction is eyeing a 2028 start, following a successful Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) and environmental assessment. Also central to this initiative is the use of union labor, with over 1,300 construction jobs and 530 permanent positions to be created. Notably, the project pledges to "explore the use of mass timber construction," as per the official announcement.
Supporters of the redevelopment, including Gary LaBarbera, president of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York, emphasized the project's wider impact on the local labor force. "The redevelopment of the former Flushing Airport will deliver thousands of affordable and accessible homes that are financed by, built by, and lived in by union workers," LaBarbera told the Mayor's office. Other union leaders shared similar views, noting the project’s potential to provide stable, affordable housing for the city’s workforce while also strengthening the local economy.
As part of a broader effort to address the housing shortage, Mayor Adams's administration has been advancing large-scale neighborhood plans that, if approved, could produce over 50,000 housing units over the next 15 years. These efforts are supported by investments in the "City of Yes for Housing Opportunity," which aims to create 80,000 new homes within the same timeframe. Earlier this year, Adams introduced the "City of Yes for Families" initiative, reflecting a focus on building housing on city-owned land and promoting homeownership. City agencies have been directed to support these initiatives by enhancing tenant protections and homeowner assistance. The most recent state budget includes additional provisions to encourage housing growth, including tax incentives for multifamily rental development and office-to-residential conversions, as reported by the Mayor's office.
Community leaders and union representatives have voiced strong support for the plan to transform the Flushing Airport site into a new residential hub. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. highlighted the joint efforts that made the initiative possible, emphasizing the importance of creating both affordable housing and well-paying jobs on a long-vacant, historically significant site. The project’s dual focus on housing and employment is being recognized as a key step in supporting the city's development and meeting the needs of its workforce.
