New York City Mayor Eric Adams marked the completion of two major projects transforming downtown Far Rockaway with 224 affordable homes and major infrastructure upgrades ahead of schedule.
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Together, the two projects brought $234 million in investment to downtown Far Rockaway — delivering on key commitments from the “Downtown Far Rockaway Roadmap for Action,” a comprehensive plan released in 2016 to revitalize the neighborhood and improve quality of life for local residents.
“These projects exemplify what it means for New York to become a ‘City of Yes,’” said Mayor Adams.
“This is the kind of community-led and community-supported investment we want to see more of and a prime example of government working the right way for the people of this city — getting this done ahead of schedule and under budget. Today is a great day for the Rockaways and another great day of ‘Getting Stuff Done’ for New Yorkers.”
“I am so proud to stand with Mayor Adams and the multiple city agencies who worked collaboratively and efficiently to complete this transformative project that will reinvigorate the Far Rockaway community,” said First Deputy Mayor Lorraine Grillo.
“Our city’s economic comeback is driven by our mayor’s strategic investments in neighborhoods that have historically been left behind,” said Deputy Mayor for Economic and Workforce Development Maria Torres-Springer.
“The city is delivering on promises made to Far Rockaway today with transformative affordable housing, green infrastructure, and streetscape projects that make the area safer and more attractive to residents and businesses. My thanks to the city agencies, elected officials, and community stakeholders involved in making the community’s vision a reality.”
Led by the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), and the New York City Housing Development Corporation (HDC), the $120 million project — called Beach 21st — transformed vacant city-owned land into a new, 100-percent affordable, mixed-use development project with 224 affordable homes near the Far Rockaway-Mott Avenue subway station.
Supporting access to vital transit, daycare, and jobs, the building offers apartments affordable to New Yorkers earning between 40 and 80 percent of area median income, with 23 homes with on-site services reserved for New Yorkers who formerly experienced homelessness.
The building includes on-site laundry, a fitness room, and a rooftop terrace with a walking track, as well as approximately 28,000 square feet of retail and community space, including a day care center.
Carried out by the New York City Department of Design and Construction (DDC), in partnership with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT), the $114 million infrastructure project was originally estimated to cost $139 million and require seven years, then promised to the community in three years, and now has been delivered three months ahead of the promised three-year schedule and $25 million under budget.
The project includes critical street safety improvements, including the addition of more sidewalks, new landscaping, and green infrastructure.
It also includes upgrades to 25 blocks of stormwater draining to help reduce the flooding risk from heavy rain.
A new, 15,000-foot pedestrian plaza will offer community space maintained by DOT, the Rockaway East Merchants Association, and the Horticultural Society of New York for events, seating, greenery, bike racks, and a public restroom. ■
A low pressure wave forming along a cold front will track across the New England coast this morning, bringing a period of rain, heavy at times for much of New England, especially for Maine today.