Friday, January 16, 2015, by Jeremiah Budin
[Photo via Photo Pool/Adrian Cabrero]
A 2001 rezoning of 34 blocks of Long Island City allowed for the current development boom sweeping through the Queens neighborhood. Its purpose was, in the words of the Wall Street Journal, “to spur residential high-rises while looking to maintain a mix of manufacturing and commercial space.” But now the city has gotten around to thinking, hey, what did we want to save all that manufacturing space for again? More high-rises! And hence, another rezoning is being considered.
The new rezoning would, ostensibly, result in more affordable housing, as well as improvements to schools and transportation, and office space for tech companies. City Council Majority Leader Jimmy Van Bramer, who represents Long Island City, described himself as being, “very much open to this idea as long as it includes those things that I already outlined and is done in a smart way that speaks to the needs of community and takes into account the additional folks who will then be in the neighborhood.”
· Setting Sights on More High-Rises in Long Island City [WSJ]
· Long Island City coverage [Curbed]
