Omni tapped to develop affordable housing complex in Jamaica

Proposed project would have 350 apartments and retail space

Eugene Schneur and a rendering of The Proposed Building On 168th Street (Credit: Omni New York via Crain's)
Eugene Schneur and a rendering of The Proposed Building On 168th Street (Credit: Omni New York via Crain's)

The city selected developer Omni New York to convert a NYPD parking garage in Jamaica into an affordable housing complex.

The proposed building, located on 168th Street between Jamaica and 93rd Avenues, would feature 350 affordable units and retail space, Crain’s reported. A portion of the parking in the building will be dedicated for NYPD use, according to the publication.

The development is part of Mayor Bill de Blasio’s 2015 economic development initiative called the Jamaica NOW Action Plan, aimed at creating jobs and encouraging retail development in the neighborhood. The city began calling for proposals for the site in February 2015. Omni submitted the winning bid, city officials announced Thursday.

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Omni, led by Eugene Schneur and former New York Mets player Mo Vaughn, specializes in affordable housing. In June, the company filed plans for a 154-unit rental building in the Bronx.

The company runs Bronx Mitchell Lama complex River Residences. Earlier this month, the city’s Human Rights Commission accused the company of refusing to rent to tenants who use Section 8 vouchers and similar public assistance. The firm has denied the allegations.