Mayor Eric Adams has introduced a new neighborhood plan for the Jewel Streets area in Brooklyn and Queens, targeting issues affecting local residents, including chronic flooding, unsafe streets, and a housing shortage. The City of New York is allocating over $146 million to improve infrastructure and build thousands of new homes as part of the effort to redevelop the 12-block neighborhood commonly known as "The Hole" due to its sunken, water-logged streets, according to the Mayor’s Office.
The plan includes a new drainage system intended to replace outdated septic systems, a pump station for stormwater management, and street reconstructions incorporating trees and pedestrian safety features. In an official announcement, Mayor Adams stated, "New Yorkers in this neighborhood are the crown jewel of our city; unfortunately, we cannot say the same for the area’s infrastructure," highlighting the city administration's focus on addressing long-standing urban challenges. The neighborhood has faced neglect over many years due to shortcomings in infrastructure development and maintenance.
The engagement process, conducted over two years, included more than 60 meetings with local advocates and elected officials, along with multiple public workshops to allow residents to provide input on the plans affecting their neighborhood. The community’s advocacy has contributed to improvements that have decreased water drainage time from 60 days to two days at certain intersections in the Jewel Streets area.
To address flooding concerns and improve traffic and pedestrian safety in the Jewel Streets area, the Department of Transportation (DOT) will implement a series of improvements to Linden Boulevard, a major transit corridor. Planned for 2026, these enhancements will include new traffic markings intended to reduce vehicle speeds and intersection upgrades to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists. Additionally, the city plans to pursue rezoning that could enable the development of up to 3,600 new housing units, with a scoping hearing scheduled by the end of this year.
Approximately 1,400 new housing units will be constructed on a 17-acre parcel of city-owned land within the Jewel Streets neighborhood. This housing initiative is part of Mayor Adams’ broader strategy, aligned with an executive order to identify city properties suitable for residential development. The plan also includes a Resilient Acquisitions pilot program, which provides residents with options to retrofit their homes for improved flood resiliency or to relocate to lower-risk areas. According to the East New York Community Land Trust, "The plan is a testament to the power of community organizing and what can be achieved when residents and city agencies work together in good faith," as communicated to the Mayor’s Office.
The neighborhood redevelopment plan includes Jewel Streets among the communities identified in Mayor Adams’ approach to equitable urban development across New York City. The environmental review process is set to begin with a scoping hearing before 2026.
