Emerging Shore Life
By MEGAN MONTALVO
For several decades, shorelines throughout Queens have been a premier destination to live, work and play.
From the plethora of museums lining the shores in Long Island City to the wildlife refuge at Jamaica Bay, the local waterfronts have served as a draw for residents and tourists alike.
Though the waterfronts have experienced little change through the years, the City is now on the cusp of completing several new developments that will forever alter the face of the borough’s harbors.
2020 Vision
In March 2011, Mayor Michael Bloomberg unveiled a comprehensive plan for the City’s waterways.
The plan, known as Vision 2020, detailed a blueprint to reconnect more New Yorkers and visitors to the water as part of an ongoing effort to reclaim the City’s standing as the top-ranking waterfront city in the world.
In addition to being the first Citywide plan for the waterfront in nearly two decades, Vision 2020 also marked the first-ever comprehensive plan for the waterways themselves as it aims to transform the 520 miles of shoreline.
Supported by Council Speaker Christine Quinn (D-Manhattan), the plan’s Waterfront Vision and Enhancement Strategy seeks to complete a three-year action agenda comprised of 130 funded projects, including the development of more than 50 acres of new waterfront parks, creation of 14 new waterfront esplanades and introduction of new commuter ferry service.
“The greatness of New York City grew directly from our connection to our water,” Quinn said. “But at some point in our history, we both literally and figuratively turned our back on the waterfront. Now we’ve made a decision to more fully embrace the waterfront, in a way that’s both thoughtful and strategic.”
The string of projects includes renovations to Astoria, Long Island City, Whitestone, Jamaica and the Rockaways.
Once completed, the Bloomberg administration anticipates the 130 action agenda projects will create 13,000 construction jobs and at least 3,400 permanent maritime and industrial jobs.
“New York City has more miles of waterfront than Seattle, San Francisco, Chicago, and Portland combined – but for decades, too many neighborhoods have been blocked off from it,” Bloomberg said during the unveiling. “Our waterfront and waterways – what we are calling New York City’s sixth borough – are invaluable assets, and when our work is complete, New York City will again be known as one of the world’s premier waterfront cities.”
Within the first year of WAVES, the City completed 34 initiatives and another 71 initiatives are on schedule for completion. Completed projects within Queens include the placement of combined sewer overflow storage facilities in Alley Creek and Flushing and feasibility testing for the cleanup of Newtown Creek in Astoria.
East Meets West
As the City worked towards the beautification of the shorelines, a string of investors concurrently began placing bids for vacant waterfront properties throughout Queens, most of which encompassed the western region of the borough.
One of the most significant projects included the redevelopment of Hunters Point South on a 30-acre parcel of land along the East River in Long Island City.
As part of Bloomberg’s $7.5 billion New Housing Marketplace Plan, up to 5,000 housing units are expected to be developed on the site, 60 percent of which will be affordable to middle income families.
According to the City Economic Development Corp., the completed project will feature 11 acres of landscaped waterfront parkland, new retail shops, community facility space and a new 1,100-seat intermediate/high school.
In 2011, the first phase of construction began. Bound by the East River, 50th Avenue, 2nd Street and Borden Avenue, Phase 1 primarily includes an ongoing infrastructure installation of storm sewers, water mains, curbs, roadways and sidewalks.
Projected to open in fall 2013, the locale’s 5-acre park will showcase a playground, basketball court, dog run, train track rail garden and large oval that will serve as a place for active recreation as well as passive uses.
As construction at Hunters Point South gained momentum, plans for the redevelopment of Hallets Point in Astoria were announced.
Proposed by the Lincoln Equities Group, a New Jersey-based real estate company, the $1 billion development project would add a water taxi stop as well as a new park, supermarket and 2,300 residential units to 300,000 square-feet of land along the East River.
While some residents and local officials have voiced concerns about increased traffic congestion and potential blocked views of Manhattan’s skyline, others like Lisa Gneo of Z Hotel in LIC have said the string of developments could potentially bring business to the area.
As an LIC resident and director of sales at the hotel, Gneo said she understands the impact the developments will have on both levels.
“Any time there is development in the area, it helps bring more global awareness and more business,” Gneo said. “I think it’s going to be great for Long Island City families as well. It will be great to have more parks, shops and other amenities in our area.”
In June, the project gained support from the State Legislature, which passed a bill that may make it easier to rezone the area by transferring the ownership of the land from the State Parks Dept. to the New York City Housing Authority. If the rezoning is approved by the City Council, Lincoln Equities could break ground as soon as late 2013.
Two months after Hallets Point gained a boost from the State, Alma Realty announced they were in talks with the City to develop 1,800 units of housing across four towers and a promenade with shops, restaurants, a supermarket and open space on an 8.5-acre parcel on 26th Avenue. The Long Island City firm plans to file official applications for the project, named Astoria Cove, by the end of the year.
This project joins another potential four-acre site across the street, which recently hit the market in August. Avison Young, a Toronto-based commercial real estate brokerage, is marketing the parcel, located at 3-15 26th Ave. in Astoria, for $80 million.
While the project is still in its early stages, the space could potentially be built up to 800,000 square-feet. Currently, the land is occupied by a lumber company and a movie studio directly adjacent to Whitey Ford Field.
Despite the overwhelming public appeal each of the western projects have garnered, State Sen. Michael Gianaris (D-Astoria) cautions developers to allow the community to give input before proceeding with any further plans.
“The continued growth of western Queens is good news for the future of our local economy,” Gianaris said. “With all these new developments, however, it is critical this growth be responsible by ensuring our infrastructure keeps pace with the strains that will be placed on it. These projects should only proceed after the community has the opportunity to lend its input on necessary improvements.”
Whitestone Waterfront
Aside from the trio of projects proposed for the western region of Queens, the newest development for waterfront property in Whitestone is also in the works.
After a 10-month wait on the market, investors with Barone Management have recently paid a deposit on a 13-acre property, located at 151-45 6th Road.
As the firm began the process of working with the bank to finalize the acquisition, which would allow it to move forward with plans to develop 52 single-family luxury homes, State Sen. Tony Avella (D-Bayside) asked the State Dept. of Environmental Conservation to test for soil contamination at the site.
“After receiving concerned calls from the community about prior illegal dumping, I asked the DEC to conduct a remediation program,” Avella said. “I think the housing units will fit in well with the character of the community, but first we have to ensure that the soil is safe.”
For Devon O’Connor, head of the Welcome to Whitestone Civic Association, the new renovations offer a dual perspective.
While the renovations could be beneficial for local businesses and residents, O’Connor said the increase in neighbors might also lead to school overcrowding.
“There are a lot of families in Whitestone who also own businesses in the area,” O’Connor said. “My biggest concern is that as younger families move in, we might have a lack of room in the schools. But, at the same time, the new development could also be better for our family-owned businesses, which would create a better sense of community.”
According to Barone Management, plans for construction could begin as early as the middle of next year.
Reach Reporter Megan Montalvo at (718) 357-7400 Ext. 128 or [email protected].
