The City Council of Queens is expected to give final approval to a massive redevelopment project on Thursday, which includes a 7-story soccer stadium for the New York City Football Club and 1,400 affordable apartments in the Willets Point section of the borough. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Mayor Eric Adams, and local Councilman Francisco Moya celebrated the breakthrough on Wednesday, highlighting the positive impact the project will have on the community. The stadium, which is expected to open in 2027, will be the city’s first soccer-specific venue, providing a permanent home for the NYC team.
The NYC team has been playing home games at nearby Citi Field and Yankee Stadium in the South Bronx, making the construction of the new stadium a significant milestone for the organization. In addition to the stadium, the project includes 2,500 units of new housing, with 1,400 units designated as affordable or below market rate. This represents the largest addition of housing in Queens in 40 years, addressing the growing need for affordable housing in the borough. About 15% of the affordable units will be set aside for homeless individuals, providing much-needed support for vulnerable community members.
The Willets Point redevelopment project is expected to create new jobs and help reduce the borough’s current 4% unemployment rate, which is the lowest in the city. The new jobs will benefit neighborhoods that were most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, providing economic opportunities for local residents. The celebratory press conference following the City Council’s approval of phase 2 of the project will include representatives from NYCFC and soccer fans, developers Related Companies and Sterling Equities, elected officials, housing advocates, and union members who played a key role in bringing the project to fruition.
Borough President Donovan Richards expressed his enthusiasm for the project, emphasizing the positive impact it will have on Queens. He described the stadium as a significant addition to the borough, bringing the world’s most popular sport to the world’s most diverse borough. The project represents a major milestone for Queens, with the addition of a soccer-specific venue and a significant increase in affordable housing units. The housing component of the project will address the growing need for affordable housing in the borough and provide support for vulnerable community members like homeless individuals.
The development of the Willets Point area will serve as a catalyst for economic growth and job creation in Queens, benefiting residents who have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic. The project will provide much-needed support for local businesses and help revitalize the community, creating a vibrant and dynamic neighborhood. The completion of the project will mark a significant achievement for the borough and showcase its commitment to creating a more inclusive and thriving community for all residents. The final approval of the project by the City Council is a major step forward towards realizing the full potential of the Willets Point redevelopment and bringing lasting positive change to the area.
