Councilmember Julie Won testifying at the Committee on Zoning and Franchises hearing Wednesday (Emil Cohen/NYC Council Media Unit)
Oct. 20, 2022 By Christian Murray
The Innovation QNS development took center stage in City Hall Wednesday, with elected officials, business leaders and residents weighing in on the massive proposal during a public hearing held by the Committee on Zoning and Franchises.
Most of the arguments for and against the 2,800-unit mixed-use proposal—which would take up 5 blocks in the vicinity of Steinway Street and 35th Avenue—were not new.
Councilmember Julie Won said that the proposed development did not provide enough affordable housing and that the project in its current form would drive up rents in the neighborhood, forcing people in the area out of their homes.
The Innovation QNS development would go up on 5 blocks in the vicinity of Steinway Street and 35th Avenue
Meanwhile, supporters of the project, such as Queens Borough President Donovan Richards said that the developers have pledged to set aside 40 percent of the units—1,100 apartments—for affordable housing, an opportunity that should not be wasted.
The development would go up on land primarily used for warehouse space, big box stores and private parking lots.
“We are in the midst of a housing crisis in Queens, and I’ll be damned if we’re going to settle for parking lots and tow pound lots during a housing crisis,” Richards said during the hearing.
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards testifying at the Committee on Zoning and Franchises hearing Wednesday (Emil Cohen/NYC Council Media Unit)
Richards initially came out in opposition to the project but changed his mind when the developers—Silverstein Properties, BedRock Real Estate Partners and Kaufman Astoria Studios–pledged to increase the number of affordable units from 25 percent to 40 percent.
However, the 40 percent on offer is not enough for Won, who noted that the developers would not be financing all 1,100 of them—and that taxpayers would be on the hook for a portion of them. Furthermore, the 40 percent number is not guaranteed.
Currently, 25 percent of the affordable units would be financed by the developers, with the remaining 15 percent covered by taxpayers through city subsidies that have yet to be secured.
Jay Martin, a principal at BedRock, said during the hearing that they have yet to get a commitment from the city to fund a portion of the affordable units.
Won is calling on the developers to commit to setting aside 55 percent of the units as affordable, with 40 percent financed by the developers and 15 percent covered via public subsidies.
The rendering presented to Community Board 1’s Land Use & Zoning Committee on June 1 (Screenshot)
There were some tense moments between Won and Richards during the hearing.
Richards criticized Won for demanding that 55 percent of the units be affordable, saying that the two of them had agreed in private to negotiate for 40 percent affordability.
“I know you’re new here,” he said. “I support the councilwoman and her push in the community for more, but at the end of the day, the rubber has to meet the road.”
Won argued that the way to combat the shortage of affordable housing is to build more and that is what she is advocating for. She said the 40 percent number that Richards cited is a number that she believes the developers should be financing.
Many Astoria residents are in agreement with Won and spoke in opposition to the project during the hearing.
My community is asking for 55% affordability from Innovation QNS. I believe that the solution to our affordable housing crisis is simple: build more affordable housing. We as a City should no longer allow luxury development to outpace the construction of affordable housing. pic.twitter.com/qPaNmhPCGM
— Council Member Julie Won (@CMJulieWon) October 19, 2022
Advocates for the project tended to be labor union representatives, as well as local business and non-profit leaders.
The hearing was held after dueling rallies took place on the steps of City Hall Wednesday morning.
The rally in support of the project was held by two large labor unions–32BJ SEIU and Laborers Local 79—which was also attended by Richards and Bishop Mitchell Taylor, leader of the non-profit organization Urban Upbound.
Meanwhile, a rally in opposition to the project was led by Won, who was joined by public advocate Jumaane Williams, Congresswoman Nydia Velasquez and local groups.
The committee could vote on the Innovation QNS proposal as soon as next week. The proposal would then be followed by a vote by the full council before Nov. 21.
In #Queens, we choose affordable housing over truck depots.
Proud to join my @32BJSEIU, @local79nyc and other union brothers and sisters this morning at City Hall to say with one voice — we need Innovation QNS. https://t.co/xXe9m2cl0S pic.twitter.com/LZ3Rvg1JzW
— Queens Borough President Donovan Richards (@QnsBPRichards) October 19, 2022
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12 Comments
Julie Won seems to actually working for her constituents, something to be commended. Sadly I’m not able to give those kind of “Props” to the Borough President that seems to be working for the Developers.
DO NOT LET THIS DEVELOPMENT DIE.
Imagine driving thru Astoria and Sunnyside with your grandkids in 30 years and it looks exactly the same as when you lived there in 2022.
That would be embarrassing for you and death for NYC.
just call it the inflation reduction QNS and itll sail right by the dems
AOC kills the amazon deal, now this one ready to kill this deal, last week she argued for eliminating gang records of NYPD, the hates improvement in the community but loves crime, typical democrat.
There is a a need for truly affordable housing. To make this happen AMIs have to be scrapped so truly low income households can apply.
Aside from this, the project is so big it will overwhelm the infrastructure.
AOC was in Qns this week. Her community forum went viral. Few care what julie has to say. The media and voters are too busy defending AOC.
Council Member Julie Won: Thank you, and please stay strong. If you firmly oppose, and REBNY, the Mayor, and Boro Prez negate traditional member deference, and CB2, to force this mega through, not just Western Queens but all New Yorkers lose, forever.
__________
https://www.facebook.com/SmallTownConfidential/posts/pfbid02uGGdTGMHQcP4eJgG5dttUSH7vzsovLdTYJQ5JHcnxr5jLUkhKkuN7BXQto4g8jXpl
If she votes against the development then it will never get built leaving an event bigger scarcity of housing…..meaning your rent will increase more. please don’t let this incompetent decide your future and vote her out of office
Thank you Julie Won.
BUILD IT. QUEENS WILL BE BETTER FOR IT!
We need housing. We are 300-1M housing units short.
Build new market rate housing and the older housing will become affordable housing. No to vouchers, housing subsidies, NYCHA and section 8. They have all proven to be expensive failures.