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COMMUNITY OP-ED APRIL 26, 2024 | The Indian Eye 12
SCORING A GOAL FOR
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Construction for the first phase of housing at Willets is already underway — a year ahead of schedule.
The first 880 affordable homes are expected to be completed by the end of 2026. The next phase will
include the remaining 1,400 homes, with 220 affordable homes set aside for low-income seniors
ERIC ADAMS
n November 2022, our admin-
istration announced a historic
Ionce-in-a-generation transfor-
mation of the Willets Points neigh-
borhood in Queens. This neighbor-
hood, which was once called the
“Valley of Ashes” and known for its The Willets Point project represents the future of New York city, a future in which all New Yorkers can afford to live in a safe apartment that is
junkyards, is now being transformed
into a vibrant neighborhood with close to a good school, good-paying jobs, outdoor space, and great public transportation (File photo)
2,500 new all-affordable homes —
the largest all-affordable housing five boroughs is the cornerstone to Willets Point to generate $6.1 billion City Council, including Councilmem-
project in the city over the last 40 livability and prosperity. I know this in economic impact as it creates ber Francisco Moya and Speaker
years — a new school, 150,000 square from personal experience. 1,550 permanent jobs and 14,200 Adrienne Adams, as well as Queens
feet of new open public space, retail Growing up on the edge of construction jobs. Borough President Donovan Rich-
space, a hotel, and the city’s first-ev- homelessness, my siblings and I had Our new soccer stadium will be ards, the New York City Football
er soccer-specific stadium that will to take trash bags full of clothes the first fully electric stadium in Ma- Club, Queens Development Group,
be home to, and privately financed to school because we didn’t know jor League Soccer and the first fully and all the hard-working New York-
by, the New York City Football Club. where we would sleep the next night. electric professional sports stadium ers who made Willets Point possible.
With the City Council’s vote to No child should have to feel that way. in New York City. And it is expected This project will also advance our
approve phase 2 of the development, You cannot plan for the future if you to be ready to open its doors and wel- ongoing work to build our way out of
we are one major step closer to vic- are worried about today. come soccer fans by the 2027 MLS our city’s housing and affordability
tory for all New Yorkers. The Willets Construction for the first phase Season. This, along with New York crisis, including our historic “City of
Point project represents the future of housing at Willets is already un- City co-hosting the World Cup in 2026 Yes for Housing Opportunity” pro-
of our city, a future in which all New derway — a year ahead of schedule. with New Jersey, puts us on the map posal to build a little more housing
Yorkers can afford to live in a safe The first 880 affordable homes are as a world-class soccer destination. in every neighborhood. And it will
apartment that is close to a good expected to be completed by the end It also makes Willets Point the get us closer to our moonshot goal of
school, good-paying jobs, outdoor of 2026. The next phase will include city’s premier sports hub, with the New 500,000 affordable homes over the
space, and great public transportation. the remaining 1,400 homes, with York Mets’ Citi Field and U.S. Tennis next decade.
When we came into office two 220 affordable homes set aside for Association’s Billie Jean King Nation- Safe and affordable housing
years ago, we had a mission: to pro- low-income seniors. Our new homes al Tennis Center, which hosts the U.S. is the key to the American Dream.
tect public safety, rebuild our econ- will have in-building laundry, bike Open, both within walking distance Willets Point brings us one big step
omy, and make this city more liv- storage, a landscaped inner court- of the Mets-Willets Point subway closer to making that dream a reality
able for hardworking New Yorkers. yard, and more, as well as LEED and Long Island Rail Road station. for New Yorkers.
Building more affordable housing Gold certification and all-electric Lo- None of this could have hap- Eric Adams is the Mayor of
in every neighborhood across all cal Law 97 compliance. We expect pened without our partners on the New York City, NY
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