City Council Votes to Rewrite Jamaica, Queens' Development Blueprint
A sweeping rezoning of Jamaica, Queens has been approved by the City Council, paving the way for a radical transformation of a 230-block area. The plan, which was voted on unanimously and is expected to be one of the largest in New York City in decades, aims to create thousands of new homes, jobs, and community spaces.
According to city officials, the rezoning will result in the construction of 12,000 new homes, including 4,000 deemed affordable. This influx of housing is predicted to generate more than 7,000 new jobs, thanks to the creation of over 2 million square feet of commercial space. The plan also includes upgrades to local infrastructure such as sewers and parks.
Councilmember Nantasha Williams described the rezoning as a key step in revitalizing Jamaica, saying "we are building a Jamaica that is walkable, vibrant and thriving". The Council's decision comes despite vocal opposition from local residents who expressed concerns about increased density, higher rents, and the potential impact on small businesses.
Mayor Eric Adams welcomed the Council's action, stating that it will help to modernize Jamaica's outdated zoning code. "From bustling storefronts to busy train lines, Jamaica is exactly where our city should be building new housing and creating new jobs," he said.
City planners believe that the rezoning will also make the most of Jamaica's proximity to JFK Airport, improving access to other parts of the city. The plan was developed by the Department of City Planning, which director Dan Garodnick hailed as a major step forward for the neighborhood.
A sweeping rezoning of Jamaica, Queens has been approved by the City Council, paving the way for a radical transformation of a 230-block area. The plan, which was voted on unanimously and is expected to be one of the largest in New York City in decades, aims to create thousands of new homes, jobs, and community spaces.
According to city officials, the rezoning will result in the construction of 12,000 new homes, including 4,000 deemed affordable. This influx of housing is predicted to generate more than 7,000 new jobs, thanks to the creation of over 2 million square feet of commercial space. The plan also includes upgrades to local infrastructure such as sewers and parks.
Councilmember Nantasha Williams described the rezoning as a key step in revitalizing Jamaica, saying "we are building a Jamaica that is walkable, vibrant and thriving". The Council's decision comes despite vocal opposition from local residents who expressed concerns about increased density, higher rents, and the potential impact on small businesses.
Mayor Eric Adams welcomed the Council's action, stating that it will help to modernize Jamaica's outdated zoning code. "From bustling storefronts to busy train lines, Jamaica is exactly where our city should be building new housing and creating new jobs," he said.
City planners believe that the rezoning will also make the most of Jamaica's proximity to JFK Airport, improving access to other parts of the city. The plan was developed by the Department of City Planning, which director Dan Garodnick hailed as a major step forward for the neighborhood.
i mean idc if people are worried about density and rents but at least its not just empty warehouses lol. 12k new homes sounds like a dream come true for ppl who cant afford it now. & 7k new jobs? that's awesome, can't wait to see the community spaces & parks get upgraded too 
I'm kinda mixed about this rezoning deal... on one hand, 12k new homes and 7k jobs are always a good thing 
, but at what cost? The density is gonna be crazy high and I'm worried those small shops might get pushed out 
. And what's the plan for affordable housing, really? 4k units seem like a drop in the bucket compared to the whole area... still, it's Jamaica so maybe this will bring some life to the neighborhood 
the fact that they're creating 12k new homes and jobs is def going to benefit so many people and it's awesome that councilmember Nantasha Williams is thinking about building a "walkable, vibrant" community. i'm not surprised that some locals were opposed but I think we gotta consider progress and growth sometimes 
and who knows maybe this will be a chance for small businesses to thrive in new areas? anyway, let's hope it all works out for Jamaica and the rest of Queens 
councilmember nantasha williams is on point with her vision for a walkable and thriving jamaica 
i just hope they don't forget about the small businesses 
but overall, i'm super stoked about this new development blueprint 
. Anyway, I'm so here for this positive change and can't wait to see Jamaica thrive! 
This rezoning plan in Jamaica, Queens seems like it's gonna bring a lot of positive change to the area. More homes and jobs can only be good for the community, right? 
I do hope they're careful with the infrastructure upgrades though - we don't want any major headaches down the line.
And it's awesome to see Mayor Eric Adams on board with this plan too. I just hope they're listening to some of the local concerns and doing what's best for everyone involved.
also can't wait to see what kinda shops and restaurants pop up in all these new spaces 
. This rezoning in Jamaica, Queens is definitely a big deal! 12,000 new homes? That's a lot of people getting a chance to start fresh or expand their families 
. We're not just talking about a bunch of buildings and streets, we're talking about people's lives. What are their needs going to be in this transformed Jamaica? Are they gonna have access to green spaces? Affordable housing? Community facilities that cater to their needs?