Council Member Julie Won has spearheaded the landmark OneLIC Neighborhood Plan, a transformative initiative poised to inject nearly $2 billion in crucial investments into Long Island City. This plan, unanimously approved by the City Council, addresses long-standing community needs and aims to rectify the shortcomings of previous developer-led proposals. Unlike past rezonings that offered significant concessions without commensurate community benefits, OneLIC prioritizes affordable housing, infrastructure improvements, and public spaces, marking a significant victory for Long Island City residents.
The OneLIC plan encompasses 54 blocks and represents a monumental step in affordable housing, promising the largest increase in such units ever generated by a rezoning. It will facilitate the creation of approximately 14,700 new housing units, with a substantial portion, around 4,350 units, designated as permanently affordable. This focus on affordability is underpinned by the mandatory inclusion of Mandatory Inclusionary Housing (MIH) for the first time in Long Island City, requiring a minimum of 20-25% of units on private sites to be permanently affordable. Council Member Won has further ensured that the most deeply affordable MIH options will be prioritized, specifically Option 1 (serving households earning up to 60% of AMI) and Option 3 (serving households earning up to 40% of AMI), making housing more accessible to low- and moderate-income families.
Beyond housing, OneLIC is set to deliver critical infrastructure and public amenities:
- Enhanced Public Spaces: The plan includes the restoration of Queensbridge Baby Park and the creation of over 5 acres of new open space under the Queensboro Bridge, representing the most significant parkland expansion through a rezoning in a decade. A Waterfront Access Plan will also establish a publicly accessible waterfront connecting Gantry Park to Queensbridge Park, revitalizing the area’s connection to the East River.
- Educational Facilities: To accommodate future growth and address current demands, OneLIC guarantees 1,300 new school seats, including two new elementary schools, a new middle school, and a new home for the Brooklyn School for Global Studies (BSGE).
- Queensbridge Houses Revitalization: A substantial $206 million investment is earmarked for Queensbridge Houses to upgrade community facilities and preserve approximately 675 units of public housing. This funding will address long-standing plumbing issues and bring vacant units back into use.
- Infrastructure Resilience: The plan incorporates crucial investments in sewer and stormwater management infrastructure to combat existing flooding issues and bolster the neighborhood’s resilience against climate change impacts.
The development of the waterfront portion of Con Edison’s property is proceeding, with a timeline for easement transfer, design, and construction expected to culminate by 2033.
In addition to City investments, private developers within the rezoning area have committed to a range of community benefits. These include the construction of a new community center with a swimming pool, new school facilities in collaboration with the School Construction Authority, spaces for early childhood education and senior centers, and affordable spaces for arts and culture nonprofits and faith-based organizations, including a new Islamic community center.
The OneLIC plan is the result of an extensive two-year community engagement process, involving over 1,800 attendees at 21 public events and receiving thousands of comments and survey responses. This inclusive approach, led by the Department of City Planning in partnership with Council Member Won’s office, has shaped a community-driven proposal that directly addresses the priorities of Long Island City residents.
The journey to this approval has been marked by robust public testimony, with approximately 75% of public comments expressing support for the plan. To ensure accountability and transparency, a Community Oversight Committee will be established to track the implementation of all promised commitments. Residents interested in joining this committee are encouraged to fill out the provided Google Form.
The OneLIC Neighborhood Plan is not merely a rezoning; it is a comprehensive strategy to foster a more equitable, livable, and resilient Long Island City for current and future generations. By prioritizing community needs and securing significant public and private investments, this plan sets a new precedent for urban development in New York City.