Project Will Include Over 350 Units of 100% Affordable Housing and Recreational & Commercial/Retail Space in Jamaica, Queens
First Major Milestone of the Jamaica NOW Action Plan
New York, NY – (RealEstateRama) — New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), and Housing Development Corporation (HDC) today announced plans to transform an underutilized New York Police Department (NYPD) parking garage in Jamaica, Queens into an approximately 450,000 square foot mixed-use development that will include over 350 units of 100% affordable housing, recreational and commercial/retail space, which will generate hundreds of good-paying construction and permanent jobs.
In February 2015, NYCEDC issued a request for proposals to redevelop the parking garage into a mixed-use, mixed-income development. The selected proposal was submitted by Omni New York LLC, an experienced development team that has successfully built and rehabilitated over 6,370 units of quality, well-managed affordable housing in historically neglected neighborhoods throughout the City of New York.
The proposed project will create over 350 affordable apartments, a substantial community facility, ground-floor retail/commercial space and below-grade parking with space allocated for NYPD use. Additionally, the project is expected to create approximately 250-300 permanent jobs and 300-350 construction jobs.
“The selected proposal builds on Southeast Queens’ strengths as a commercial and transit hub by delivering over 350 units of 100% affordable housing, hundreds of good-paying jobs, and community, recreational and retail space to downtown Jamaica,” said NYCEDC President Maria Torres-Springer. “The redevelopment of the 168th Street NYPD garage into a thriving mixed-use facility furthers Mayor de Blasio’s Housing New York initiative to create more affordable housing options for New Yorkers. I thank our sister agencies, Council Member I. Daneek Miller, Borough President Katz, other local elected officials, the NYPD, Community Board 12, the Jamaica Now Leadership Council and Omni for their commitment to making the first major milestone of the Jamaica NOW Action Plan a reality.”
“This project is a culmination of the various stakeholders coming together and implementing a program that has the best of intentions for those living in the community,” said Councilman I. Daneek Miller. “Since working with the New York City Economic Development Corporation, Omni New York LLC, local elected officials and Community Boards, and the Jamaica Now Committee, we discussed what was needed most to ensure those living in Jamaica today can benefit from this project now and into the future. With mandates on local hiring, the use of MWBE firms, and the opportunity for those living in Southeast Queens to live in these apartments, this development is an example of what can be done across the City. I want to thank all those involved in the process and looking forward to seeing this come to fruition.”
“Under Housing New York, we committed to looking at every city-owned site as an opportunity to build affordable housing. We are thrilled that in partnership with EDC and the NYPD, we now have a proposal to develop a dynamic mixed-use facility with affordable homes, a recreational facility and commercial space in the heart of Jamaica, Queens. Thanks to Council Member Daneek Miller, Omni Development, Monadnock, and our partners for making this possible,” said HPD Commissioner Vicki Been.
“Congratulations to Omni on its successful bid to transform this former NYPD parking garage into a vibrant new 100% affordable housing development, with recreational, retail, and commercial space. As the first major initiative under the City’s Jamaica NOW Action Plan, we are not only putting underused City-owned land to good use, we are making practical investments in the larger community by creating hundreds of local jobs, supporting small business development, and increasing industry competition through required M/WBE developer and workforce participation,” said HDC President Eric Enderlin.
“The selection of a developer to convert the 168th Street NYPD parking garage into an 100% affordable housing project is great news and shows that the Jamaica NOW Action Plan is well on its way to revitalizing downtown Jamaica,” said Queens Borough President Melinda Katz. “Jamaica is a community on the move and is well-positioned for further growth. The Jamaica NOW Leadership Council worked closely with Omni New York LLC to ensure maximum MWBE participation and local hiring on this project and we look forward to the affordable housing, recreational and retail space and hundreds of good-paying permanent jobs the project will bring. The New York City Economic Development Corporation should also be commended for its work on this important project.”
“I am pleased this local redevelopment will directly improve the lives of residents of Jamaica, Queens. A significant milestone in the Jamaica NOW Action Plan, this effort will put hundreds of families in affordable housing and create hundreds of local jobs. It is both sensible and fair that women and minorities are promised many of these new jobs, ensuring that the project will utilize a diverse workforce. I thank Queens Borough President Melinda Katz and the NYCEDC for their work on this and for their continued effort to fulfill the goals laid out in the Jamaica NOW Action Plan,” said U.S. Congressman Gregory W. Meeks (NY-05).
“Redeveloping Downtown Jamaica through projects like this 100% affordable housing and commercial retail complex will bring good-paying union jobs to our community, provide business opportunities for MWBEs, and increase the amount of affordable units available to residents,” said State Senator Leroy Comrie. “I will continue to work alongside Assembly Member Alicia Hyndman, Council Member I. Daneek Miller, the NYCEDC, and community leaders as we implement the Jamaica NOW Action Plan to ensure that we meet these vital criteria for future projects.”
“As the first major project to arise from the Jamaica NOW plan, this development will provide over 350 units of affordable housing for our community” said Assemblywoman Alicia Hyndman. “I’m proud to work alongside my colleagues in government to reach a proposal that was fair for our community, including a commitment to 30% M/WBE participation. We will continue to work together to ensure that our neighborhoods are responsibly developed.”
“Omni New York is dedicated to the revitalization and advancement of New York City’s historically underserved communities. We know that development is only successful when combined with efforts to enhance the quality of life socially and economically for the surrounding community. The redevelopment of the 168th Street parking garage provides a unique opportunity to bring 100% affordable housing, community space, and job creation to downtown Jamaica, Queens,” said Eugene Schneur, Managing Director, Omni New York. We applaud the New York City Economic Development Corporation for their vision and leadership, and we look forward to continuing our work with Council Member I. Daneek Miller and other partners to ensure this project does not only meet the needs of the community but exceeds them.”
“The 168th Street corridor is fast emerging as a hotbed of opportunity for Jamaica residents,” said Justin Rodgers, Managing Real Estate Director, Greater Jamaica Development Corporation; Housing Committee Chair, Jamaica Now Leadership Council. “Today’s designation by the City along with the pipeline of activity planned here will bring much-needed affordable housing and retail to the residents of Downtown Jamaica and Southeast Queens.”
“The transformation of the 168th Street NYPD garage has been on the front burner for years. We applaud the construction of 350 units of affordable housing and recreational and commercial retail space. The accommodation of housing is of paramount importance, as is job provision and a commitment to a substantive MWBE workforce,” said Adrienne Adams, Chairperson, Community Board 12; Member of Jamaica Now Committee.
“The advancement of this redevelopment project is further testament to the City’s commitment to Jamaica’s success,” said Hope Knight, president and CEO of the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation. “We look forward to working with Omni New York as a new stakeholder in Jamaica’s future.”
Omni New York and Monadnock, its construction contractor, have committed to a 30% M/WBE goal and 40% minority and female workforce participation in construction jobs and new staff positions created for the project. Additionally, the development team will participate in HireNYC, a free City program that connects New Yorkers with workforce development services and job opportunities for various investment projects.
The redevelopment of the NYPD garage is the first major milestone to arise from the Jamaica NOW Action Plan, a $153 million dollar neighborhood revitalization initiative announced in 2015 by the de Blasio Administration, Queens Borough President Melinda Katz and NYCEDC. The twenty-one point strategic plan aims to economically revitalize Jamaica, Queens by providing workforce training and small business support, and improving the livability of the neighborhood through investments in safety measures, green spaces and more.
This project will count towards Mayor de Blasio’s Housing New York plan which seeks to address New York City’s housing affordability crisis by building or preserving 200,000 units of affordable housing by promoting mixed-use, mixed-income and healthy communities.
About NYCEDC
New York City Economic Development Corporation is the City’s primary vehicle for promoting economic growth in each of the five boroughs. NYCEDC’s mission is to stimulate growth through expansion and redevelopment programs that encourage investment, generate prosperity and strengthen the City’s competitive position. NYCEDC serves as an advocate to the business community by building relationships with companies that allow them to take advantage of New York City’s many opportunities. Find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter, Instagram or visit our blog to learn more about NYCEDC projects and initiatives.
About the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD)
The New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) is the nation’s largest municipal housing preservation and development agency. Its mission is to promote quality housing and diverse, thriving neighborhoods for New Yorkers through loan and development programs for new affordable housing, preservation of the affordability of the existing housing stock, enforcement of housing quality standards, and educational programs for tenants and building owners. HPD is tasked with fulfilling Mayor de Blasio’s Housing New York: A Five-Borough Ten-Year Plan to create and preserve 200,000 affordable units for New Yorkers at the very lowest incomes to those in the middle class. For more information visit www.nyc.gov/hpd and for regular updates on HPD news and services, connect with us via www.facebook.com/nychpd and www.twitter.com/nychousing.
About the New York City Housing Development Corporation (HDC)
HDC is the nation’s largest municipal Housing Finance Agency and is charged with helping to finance the creation or preservation of affordable housing under Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Housing New York plan. Since 2003, HDC has financed more than 120,000 housing units using over $13.7 billion in bonds, and provided in excess of $1.6 billion in subsidy from corporate reserves. HDC ranks among the nation’s top issuers of mortgage revenue bonds for affordable multi-family housing on Thomson Reuter’s annual list of multi-family bond issuers. In each of the last four consecutive years, HDC’s annual bond issuance has surpassed $1 billion. For additional information, visit: http://www.nychdc.com
