Big moves in Queens as Governor Kathy Hochul steps up to the housing challenge with a redevelopment plan that's been long in the making. The Creedmoor Mixed-Use Project is set to transform 46.5 acres of what used to be just ideas and overgrown land into a bustling community with over 2,000 homes. This initiative is part of the Governor’s $500 million NY-RUSH program aimed to make better use of state-owned property, as seen in an announcement detailed by the Governor's Office official website.
Eye-catching is the promise of affordable housing—the plan is swinging into action to provide more than 950 affordable rental units, and a mix of over 1,000 affordable and market-rate homeownership units. Also included are new open spaces, and essentials like childcare and senior services. "By working together with local leaders and residents, we’re building a stronger future for Queens and for our entire state," Governor Hochul said, in a statement obtained by the Governor's Office.
The community's voice has been central to the Creedmoor project from the start, carving out a plan that mirrors local needs. Empire State Development (ESD) has been in ongoing conversations with local officials and neighborhood associations, taking note of what Eastern Queens demands. The master plan emerged to spot-on identify local priorities and it did not just end there—the conversation keeps going with the formation of the Creedmoor Community Advisory Committee. This committee’s job is to keep the feedback loop going strong as development progresses.
The bones of this plan reach beyond just construction. It's rooted in New York's wider goal to tackle the housing crisis head-on, a commitment that Governor Hochul has been vocal about. “Governor Hochul’s vision for Creedmoor is about more than building housing — it’s about building community," ESD President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight noted, capturing the project's larger ambition for Queens, according to the Governor's Office.
Part of the developmental gusto can be traced back to the Creedmoor Psychiatric Center, which has historical roots but will soon be witnessing a renaissance of sorts. The plan generously sprinkles amenities throughout the project, boasting more than ten acres of green space, a new school, senior centers, childcare facilities, and retail spaces aimed at strengthening local economies. These are not just throw-ins; they're infrastructure improvements meant to engage existing communities and foster new connections.
With the rental vacancy rate in Queens at a mere 0.9 percent, there's no argument that the housing crisis has been biting hard. The Creedmoor Redevelopment Project is a response to a squeezed market, providing not just a roof, but a viable, affordable living solution that respects the desire of New Yorkers to remain in a city they love. Governor Hochul's housing strategy doesn't just stop at Creedmoor—it’s a piece of a bigger puzzle that includes extensive budget allocations for housing across the state, and a push for initiatives like the Pro-Housing Community Program.
In Queens, where the Creedmoor site has called for action for decades, it seems like there's now more than just talk—there's actual shovel-ready progress. "From homeownership opportunities to housing dedicated for seniors and veterans, this plan will be nothing short of transformative for so many in this community," Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. expressed, as he anticipates the project's impact, as per the Governor's Office.
