New York City Mayor Eric Adams unveiled a proposal to build approximately 3,000 homes and 60 acres of public space on the site of the former Flushing Airport in College Point, Queens. The development will be led by Cirrus Workforce Housing and LCOR Incorporated, with construction expected to begin in 2028.
After Adams issued an executive order last year requiring city agencies to identify potential sites for new housing, the New York City Economic Development Corporation led a competitive RFP process to identify a developer for the former Flushing Airport. The airport has been vacant since 1984.
In its heyday in 1929, the Flushing Airport was one of the busiest in New York City.
In 1984, the airport closed, and for the past 40 years or so, the only things landing and taking off don’t have engines.
The 60 acres of wetland will remain as is, but will be situated next to a brand-new sprawling housing development, with construction in College Point scheduled to begin in 2028.
“We are protecting nature, but making sure we’re protecting children and families to have the housing they need,” Adams said.
The project is a partnership between Adams, Cirrus Workforce Housing and the New York City Building Trades.
“We’ve put together a public, private partnership that’s going to try to bring 3,000 units to what today is basically fallow land,” Joseph McDonnell of Cirrus Workforce Housing said.
The project is part of a larger effort to create more affordable housing in the city. The Mayor’s goal is to have 500,000 new homes by 2032.
“We’re turning over every opportunity, using my executive order requiring all of our agencies to review their portfolios and find a city-owned site for housing,” Adams said.
Many say the Mayor’s “City Of Yes” plan is needed now more than ever.
“Workforce Housing is the city’s essential workers, it’s union construction workers, it’s cops, it’s firefighters, it’s nurses, it’s sanitation, it’s teachers, this is the backbone of the city and these are the essential workers,” Gary LaBarbera of Building and Construction Trades Council said.
