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Resilient, Affordable Homes Come to Downtown Far Rockaway
A.E.CBy the Boardwalk:
Bringing more affordable housing to downtown Far Rockaway, Queens, is one matter — but the recent completion of two major projects in the neighborhood also is increasing the area’s safety through major infrastructure upgrades and climate resiliency, just in time for the 10th anniversary of Superstorm Sandy.
“The completion of these projects will have a
The new project will include more than 200 affordable housing units.
massive impact on the Far Rockaway community for years to come,” said New York State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. “By building more than 200 affordable housing units, this project will benefit hundreds of current residents and has the potential to bring in new people who may not have been able to live in Far Rockaway and become part of this amazing community. The new pedestrian plaza will beautify the area, while the improved storm sewers and climate resiliency measures will better fortify Downtown Far Rockaway against flooding and other issues brought about by climate change.”
Led by the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) and the New York City Housing Development Corporation (HDC), the $120 million Beach 21st transformed vacant, city-owned land into a 100% affordable, mixed-use development project
Community space Amenities include retail.
Rooftop terrace
with 224 affordable homes near the Far Rockaway-Mott Avenue subway station.
Supporting access to transit, daycare, and jobs, the building offers apartments affordable to New Yorkers earning between 40% and 80% of area median income, with 23 homes with onsite services reserved for New Yorkers who formerly experienced homelessness. The building includes on-site laundry, a fitness room and a rooftop terrace with a walking track, as well as approximately 28,000 square feet of retail and community space, including a day care center.
Carried out by the New York City Department of Design and Construction (DDC), in partnership with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT), the $114 million infrastructure project was originally estimated to cost $139 million and require seven years, then promised to the community in three years. Instead, it was delivered three months ahead of the promised three-year schedule and $25 million under budget. The project includes critical street safety improvements, including new streets, curbs, and sidewalks, a new pedestrian plaza, and new bike lanes and green space. Below ground, the neighborhood now has more than two miles of modern storm sewers along with new catch basins and 10,000 feet of new water mains. We saved even more time using innovative solutions like our Early Completion pilot and by adding financial incentives at critical milestones to achieve schedule savings. These initiatives shaved months off the schedule, while providing upgraded sewers and streetscapes and allowing businesses to return to normal operations more quickly. Overall, it’s a remarkable transformation for a neighborhood that has been historically underserved and was heavily impacted by Superstorm Sandy.”
The infrastructure project received the Award for Excellence in Design from the New York City Public Design Commission in 2017. DDC is also building the new Far Rockaway Library for Queens Public Library in the same community, which is anticipated to open next year.
the addition of more sidewalks, new landscaping and green infrastructure. It also includes upgrades to 25 blocks of stormwater draining to help reduce the flooding risk from heavy rain. A new, 15,000-foot pedestrian plaza will offer community space maintained by DOT, the Rockaway East Merchants Association and the Horticultural Society of New York for events, seating, greenery, bike racks and a public restroom.
In total, the work included: more than two miles of new storm sewers and 88 new catch basins to alleviate flooding; more than two miles of new curbs; 101,000 square feet of new sidewalks; 10,000 feet of existing sanitary sewers replaced with new pipes; 10,000 feet of aging water mains replaced with new pipes and a net gain of 71 new trees for the neighborhood.
“In fulfilling its pledge to the downtown Far Rockaway community, the Department of Design and Construction completed seven years’ worth of infrastructure work in less than three years and did so well under budget,” said DDC Commissioner Thomas Foley. “Above ground, the streetscape has been vastly improved, with
