Mayor Adams Celebrates Largest All-Affordable Housing Project in 40 Years, City’s First Soccer-Speci
Mayor Adams Celebrates Largest All-Affordable Housing Project in 40 Years, City's First Soccer-Speci nyc.gov
sdgtalks
Willets Point Phase 2 Development Approved, Bringing Affordable Housing and Economic Growth to New York City
April 11, 2024
Watch the video here at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10gBNPelJuI
[embedded content]
Introduction
Willets Point’s 23 Acres of Land Will Include All-Affordable Housing Project, New Hotel, Over 150,000 Square Feet of New Public Open Space, and Soccer Stadium
Willets Point Development Will Add Over $6 Billion in Economic Impact, Create Over 14,000 Construction Jobs and More Than 1,500 Permanent Jobs
New York City Mayor Celebrates Approval of Willets Point Phase 2 Development
New York City Mayor Eric Adams celebrated a historic win for affordable housing and economic development in the city of New York after the City Council voted to approve the Willets Point Phase 2 development as part of the Uniform Land User Review Procedure (ULURP). The complete Willets Point Transformation, announced by Mayor Adams in November 2022, will feature the largest 100-percent affordable housing project in 40 years and include more than 150,000 square feet of new public open space, over 20,000 square feet of retail space, a 250-key hotel, and the city’s first soccer-specific stadium that will be privately financed by NYCFC.
The project is expected to generate over $6 billion in economic impact over the next 30 years – creating over 14,000 construction jobs and over 1,500 permanent jobs. Mayor Adams’ vision for the transformation of Willets Point builds on core goals in his “Rebuild, Renew, Reinvent: A Blueprint for New York City’s Economic Recovery” and “Housing Our Neighbors: A Blueprint for Housing and Homelessness,” including leveraging neighborhood infrastructure investments to catalyze equitable community development and creating housing opportunities in neighborhoods with strong access to jobs, transit, schools, parks, and other amenities.
Achieving Sustainable Development Goals
The Willets Point Phase 2 project aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations. These goals include:
- Goal 1: No Poverty
- Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Community Benefits and Partnerships
“Housing is the goal – and with today’s City Council vote, I’m proud to say that we just scored the goal of the decade,” said Mayor Adams. “We’re bringing 2,500 affordable housing units, 150,000 square feet of public open space, thousands of good-paying jobs, and the city’s first soccer-specific stadium to a neighborhood in Queens that used to be known for its junkyards. We’re building a brand-new community out of the ‘Valley of Ashes’, and we couldn’t have done it without all our partners, including Councilmember Moya and the rest of the City Council, Borough President Richards, NYCFC, Queens Development Group, our union members, and everyone living in Willets Point who made their voices heard and demanded a new future for themselves. After today’s vote, we’re one step closer to delivering that future.”
The Willets Point Phase 2 project has received support and collaboration from various stakeholders:
- New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC)
- New York City Councilmember Francisco Moya
- Queens Borough President Donovan Richards
- New York City Football Club (NYCFC)
- Queens Development Group (QDG)
Construction and Timeline
Construction for the first phase of 100-percent affordable housing at Willets Point is already underway, a year ahead of schedule. In December 2023, Mayor Adams and city officials broke ground on the first 880 units of affordable housing, which are expected to be completed by the end of 2026. The next housing development to commence construction will be an additional 220 affordable homes set aside for low-income seniors.
The Willets Point Phase 2 project will deliver the remaining 1,400 of the 2,500 total affordable homes, as well as a new 250-key hotel, and a soccer-specific stadium that will be the permanent home of NYCFC. The 25,000-seat stadium will be the first privately-financed major league stadium in New York City in generations. No new parking will be created for the stadium. Instead, NYCFC will utilize parking at Citi Field on match and event days based on an agreement with the New York Mets. Additionally, the stadium will be the first fully-electric stadium in Major League Soccer and the first fully electric professional sports stadium in New York City. The stadium is expected to be completed and operational by the 2027 MLS Season. Phase 2 will also deliver key infrastructure that builds upon the work of Phase 1 and enables Willets Point to grow and function as the city’s newest neighborhood.
Conclusion
The approval of the Willets Point Phase 2 development marks a significant milestone for affordable housing and economic growth in New York City. With its focus on sustainable development and alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals, this project sets an example for future community development initiatives. Through partnerships and collaboration, Willets Point is transforming from a neglected area into a vibrant neighborhood that offers housing, job opportunities, public spaces, and sports facilities for its residents.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. SDGs Addressed:
- SDG 1: No Poverty
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
2. Specific Targets:
- SDG 1.4: By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership, and control over land and other forms of property.
- SDG 8.1: Sustain per capita economic growth in accordance with national circumstances and, in particular, at least 7 percent gross domestic product growth per annum in the least developed countries.
- SDG 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums.
- SDG 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.
3. Indicators:
- Indicator for SDG 1.4: Proportion of total adult population with secure tenure rights to land, with legally recognized documentation and who perceive their rights to land as secure, by sex and by type of tenure.
- Indicator for SDG 8.1: Annual growth rate of real GDP per capita.
- Indicator for SDG 11.1: Proportion of urban population living in slums, informal settlements, or inadequate housing.
- Indicator for SDG 17.17: Number of countries that have national statistical legislation that complies with the Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 1: No Poverty | Target 1.4: By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership, and control over land and other forms of property. | Indicator: Proportion of total adult population with secure tenure rights to land, with legally recognized documentation and who perceive their rights to land as secure, by sex and by type of tenure. |
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | Target 8.1: Sustain per capita economic growth in accordance with national circumstances and, in particular, at least 7 percent gross domestic product growth per annum in the least developed countries. | Indicator: Annual growth rate of real GDP per capita. |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums. | Indicator: Proportion of urban population living in slums, informal settlements, or inadequate housing. |
| SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals | Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships. | Indicator: Number of countries that have national statistical legislation that complies with the Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics. |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: nyc.gov
Join us, as fellow seekers of change, on a transformative journey at https://sdgtalks.ai/welcome, where you can become a member and actively contribute to shaping a brighter future.
