2.7-Million-Square-Foot Astoria Project Approved

New York’s City Planning Commission gave the green light to a massive development in Astoria, Queens that will include 2,835 housing units, retail space and restaurants, a community facility, an elementary school, and two acres of open space. The project, which would replace surface parking lots and some commercial buildings, was lauded by the Commission as a positive step toward easing the city’s housing crisis and offering stability to local residents.

According to Urbanize New York, “In a 10-3 vote, the Commission has approved the Innovation QNS project, which would rise from a sprawling site in Astoria, Queens that is roughly bounded by 35th Avenue, 36th Avenue, 37th Street, and 43rd Street.”

Commission chair Dan Garodnick praised the development, known as Innovation QNS, saying, “At a time when our housing crisis is more pronounced than ever, Innovation QNS is a big opportunity to take the pressure off the rents in this and surrounding communities.” Project designer ODA is also focusing on public open space, which makes up 25 percent of the development’s ground floor area.