City picks team to develop megaproject in Sunnyside Yard

Architect Vishaan Chakrabarti will lead the team developing a master plan for Sunnyside Yard in Queens, a 180-acre train yard between Sunnyside and Long Island City.

Although the Economic Development Corp. said it has not designated an official team yet and PAU, Chakrabarti’s firm, declined to comment, multiple sources told Crain’s that PAU won the request for proposals the city had issued in November.

The de Blasio administration released a study about Sunnyside Yard last February that showed it was possible to build a deck over 85 percent of the pit supporting a mix of residential, commercial, retail, cultural and open space. PAU will likely build on this work by the city and come up with a more detailed plan regarding what development should go on the site.

Most decisions on a master plan will not come until after 2021, when Mayor Bill de Blasio is already out of office, but his administration has said it is important to come up with a plan now so that Amtrak, the owner of most of the yard, can consider what the city wants to do while it improves its facilities. [Crain’s] – Eddie Small