Page 22 - The Indian EYE 082225

The Indian Eye
NORTH AMERICAN Newsline AUGUST 22, 2025 22

Mayor Adams Celebrates City Planning

Commission’s Approval of Jamaica Neighborhood

Plan to Create 12,000 New Homes, 7,000 New Jobs

Thanks to Initiatives Like Jamaica Neighborhood Plan, Adams Administration Has

Created, Preserved, or Planned Over 426,000 Homes for New Yorkers to Date

OUR BUREAU
NEW YORK, NY
ew York City Mayor Eric Adams and New
York City Department of City Planning
N(DCP) Director and City Planning Com-
mission (CPC) Chair Dan Garodnick have celebrat-
ed the CPC’s vote in favor of the Jamaica Neigh-
borhood Plan, a bold vision to bring thousands of
homes and jobs as well as hundreds of millions of
dollars in infrastructure and other investments to
Jamaica, Queens. The transformative plan would
update the area’s zoning code to create over 12,000
new homes across 230 blocks of this transit-acces-
sible neighborhood. By mapping Mandatory In-
clusionary Housing (MIH) in the neighborhood at
scale for the first time and requiring new develop-
ments to include affordable housing, the plan will
ensure that approximately 4,000 of the new homes ry, or shattering affordable housing records year Boulevard and Union Hall Street in Queens.
are permanently affordable, creating the largest after year after year, we are proud to be the most The Jamaica Neighborhood Plan would bring addition-
MIH area in the city to date. pro-housing administration in city history.” al updates to:
Additionally, by creating more commercial and “With Jamaica’s central location and incredible • The Downtown Core: The plan would allow
industrial space, the plan will unlock new econom- access to jobs and transit, it is time for us to support high-density mixed-use developments with per-
ic opportunities for residents and businesses and the local community with affordable homes, jobs, manently affordable housing, active ground floor
generate 7,000 new permanent jobs. In addition to and hundreds of millions of dollars in infrastructure retail, and community services along Jamaica
updating the neighborhood’s zoning, the proposal investments,” said DCP Director and CPC Chair Avenue and Archer Avenue, a transit-rich area
also includes strategic investments to support the Garodnick. “With today’s vote, Jamaica is one step served by the E, J, and Z trains. Densities would
community’s growth, including over $300 million closer to a more affordable and prosperous future. slightly decrease further north, between Jamaica
for sewer improvements. As the planning process Thanks to the City Planning Commissioners for Avenue and Hillside Avenue.
advances, the city will continue to consider further their overwhelming support.” • Transit Corridors: Through updated zoning, the
investments in transit access, open space, job train- Creating More Affordable Housing plan would encourage mixed-use, mid-rise de-
ing, and cultural institutions with key stakeholders. velopments with locally-serving retail and com-
Along with four additional neighborhood plans and nder Jamaica’s current zoning rules, there munity facilities along Hillside Avenue, western
“City of Yes for Housing Opportunity” — the first are no requirements for affordable hous- Jamaica Avenue, Liberty Avenue, Sutphin Bou-
citywide rezoning in 60 years — the Jamaica Neigh- Uing in the neighborhood while industrial levard, Guy R. Brewer Boulevard, and Merrick
borhood Plan is a key part of the Adams administra- businesses are stymied from growing and reaching Boulevard.
tion’s work to create, preserve, or plan over 426,000 their full potential. The Jamaica Neighborhood • South Core: For the first time in 60 years, the
homes for New Yorkers. Plan directly responds to these long-term challeng- plan would allow new housing immediately to
“With its rich diversity of culture, cuisine, mu- es. Tailored to respect the unique character of each the south of Jamaica Station and the Jamai-
sic, and more, Jamaica represents so much of what of the neighborhood’s different hubs and corridors, ca Center – Parsons/Archer subway station. It
makes our city great. Unfortunately, the neighbor- the Jamaica Neighborhood Plan would update zon- would also encourage commercial and light
hood’s outdated zoning code is not one of them. For ing to spur the development of 12,000 new homes. manufacturing near world-class transit resources.
decades, Jamaica’s zoning has curtailed new hous- Approximately 4,000 of those homes would be per- • Industrial Growth Area: New growth manufac-
ing and limited new businesses; it’s made it harder manently income-restricted affordable through a turing zoning would support new employment
for working-class families to work and stay in the combination of MIH — making these 230 blocks and local businesses.
area. But our Jamaica Neighborhood Plan will help of Jamaica the largest geographic area in New York The Jamaica Neighborhood Plan would also
change that,” said Mayor Adams. “With this ambi- City where this policy would be mapped to date — generate over 2 million square feet of new com-
tious vision, we’ll bring thousands of new homes and and through city financing of affordable homes on mercial and community facility space, ultimately
jobs to Jamaica and make sure that working-class public land. As part of these efforts, the Adams creating over 7,000 new jobs for New Yorkers and
families can live in the city they love. Whether it’s administration has committed to building a total strengthening Jamaica’s role as a live-work neigh-
crafting neighborhood plans like this one, passing of nearly 120 income-restricted affordable homes borhood where residents can find good jobs close
the most pro-housing zoning reform in city histo- across five city-owned sites along Guy R. Brewer to home.

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