City takes control of Hunters Point South land
May 27, 2009 06:30PM By Adam Pincus
Hunter's Point (Source: NYC Economic Development Corp.)
The city took possession of 30 acres of western Queens riverfront property this month where it is creating plans to build the city's largest middle-income housing project since the 1970s, known as Hunters Point South.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and the state's Empire State Development transferred the property May 20 to the city, Lisa Willner, a spokesperson for the state development agency, said.
The transfer was in two parts, with 24 acres being transferred to a city agency that was not immediately identified, and six acres to the city's Economic Development Corporation (EDC), said Andrew Brent, a spokesperson for Mayor Michael Bloomberg. The city will take title to the EDC properties soon, he said.
Port Authority spokesperson Steve Coleman put the sales tag at $100 million for the 30 acres.
The Hunters Point South property runs from 50th Avenue south to Newtown Creek, and was formerly known as Queens West Stages 3 and 4. It is the southern portion of the four-part Queens West site, a massive project to build residential and commercial towers on former industrial land by the East River.
In stages 1 and 2 of the Queens West development, private firms AvalonBay Communities and Rockrose Development have constructed several apartment towers.
As many as 5,000 residential units are expected to be built at Hunters Point South, with some 60 percent of them affordable to middle-income residents. However, housing advocates have complained that the units will not be affordable to lower-income Queens residents.
The City Council approved the Hunters Point plan in November 2008.
The city wants to build affordable housing at the site as part of Mayor Michael Bloomberg's pledge to create or preserve 165,000 units of affordable housing in the city.
The transfer was reviewed in a public process last year, and the Queens West Development Corporation, which is a subsidiary of Empire State Development, approved the move in January, Willner said.
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Comments
Anonymous
"with 24 acres being transferred to a city agency that was not immediately identified," I don't like that sentence.
Comment #1 Posted By: Anonymous 05/28/09
Anonymous
All I heard was "housing project" and the value of LIC river front property went down in my mind.
Comment #2 Posted By: Anonymous 05/28/09
Anonymous
It will border The Power House condos which run into the millions. I'm sure they are thrilled.
Comment #3 Posted By: Anonymous 05/28/09
Anonymous
The developers of some new luxury projects in that area are promoting that site as a future park with tennis courts to potential buyers.
Comment #4 Posted By: Anonymous 05/28/09
Anonymous
Some how even though one earns a "middle income" in this city they can never manage to be one of the lucky ones to buy a "middle income" property. Thus they're stuck struggling to find a market rate unit that they can afford.
Comment #5 Posted By: Anonymous 05/28/09
Anonymous
Oh yeah, who wants a waterfront apartment? Lol
Comment #6 Posted By: Anonymous 05/28/09
Anonymous
Powerhouse....Millions!...you slay me!
Comment #7 Posted By: Anonymous 05/30/09
Anonymous
There goes the neighborhood!!!
Comment #8 Posted By: Anonymous 05/31/09
Anonymous
how much do they cost and when will they be built and how can i apply and buy ? why all that secretcy?
Comment #9 Posted By: Anonymous 06/17/09
Anonymous
in LIC there is already some low income apartments like at the citylights, was a requirement by law. this new area will be a mixed probably lot of rentals not sale. that will affect the price of all units in LIC big time. powerhouse etc.. good luck, no view, high price you paid, and lies form the ph saying that the tennis court will not be away for next 5 years lol
Comment #10 Posted By: Anonymous 07/07/09
Anonymous
I just purchased at the PH and theywere still saying the same thing 8 weeks ago. They lied badly to the people who bought. I did not pay in the millions or even close to 1 million but still feel ripped. I am moving in this Thursday and feel sick about it. I am trying to find legal ground for the lies that were told. They new since last November. My big problem with the city is how they could devalue property from homeownwers like that without so much as taking a look at it. And for affordable housing no less. The cant afford the view but are happy tot take it away form someone who actually PAID for it.
Comment #11 Posted By: Anonymous 08/24/09