Net Zero Development Coming to New York City

A $1-billion project on New York's Rockaway peninsula promises to be the city's first net-zero community, according to an article by Aysha Diallo. "The development will incorporate geothermal heating, passive house design to optimize energy efficiency, and a plan to raise the storm surge elevation, given the land’s vulnerability to flooding."

"The site, named Arverne East, is expected to have 1,650 units of housing, 1,320 of which are designated as affordable for formerly homeless, low, moderate and middle-income households. The design incorporates a range of green spaces, including a 35-acre nature preserve and an urban farm," writes Diallo.

As with similar redevelopment efforts, some residents worry the new development will deepen the socio-economic divide and drive up housing costs. "Compared to the west side of the peninsula, which has long been a summer getaway spot for middle- to upper-class city residents, these neighborhoods have larger minority populations and have historically fallen behind." But others hope the project will also bring much-needed economic development.

The developers will also shore up the peninsula's flood defenses, building resilience against future events like Hurricane Sandy. "The developers plan to elevate the land between three and eight feet, depending on location, so that ground floor spaces across the property are elevated by a total of 16 feet or more — higher than Hurricane Sandy’s storm surge of 14 feet."

Arverne East is the result of a years-long design and selection process that culminated in the current design by L+M Development Partners, the Bluestone Organization and Triangle Equities.