A New Hospital For Long Island City???

DONOVAN Richards gave his thumbs up to the OneLIC Plan this week, with some stipulations, the oddest of which is a request for a new hospital in Long Island City. Oddest yes, but the newfangled demands were multiple and both small and large including a new library for QueensBridge and a batch of $10k small business grants. According to the link below, it was a 4-page laundry list, none of which seem to be binding on the City.

More importantly, other than a requirement for affordable housing, what is binding on the owners and developers of the land in the plan? Maybe nothing and the city kicks in the rest in anticipation of higher tax revenues from the upgraded properties. That’s fine, but similar to Julie Won’s wantings’ there seems to be a tone deafness as to what everyone in the community actually wants, as well as some of the logistical challenges in Long Island City, both of which I have previously outlined.

By everyone, I should say everyone not in Queensbridge, whose items are very clear, numerous and range from deserved to munificent. I’m not sure if the hospital is part of this, but this is the first time I have ever heard that request in my 12+ years of reporting on LIC, and it is way too large an item for me to have overlooked. Is it also extraneous? In addition to never ever having heard of a demand for a new hospital to be located here, a quick review of the need for a new hospital indicates the following:

A: Yes, it is extraneous. There are much bigger priorities.

As for the one item that can be foisted on the owners/developers, a word of caution about Donovan Richards specific request: “the mapping of only Mandatory Inclusionary Housing Options 1 and 2 within the rezoning area to preserve deep affordability.” This basically means he wants to make it affordable to those with lesser means, which means it comes with a bigger rent discount. That discount will be eaten by the developer in return for upsized zoning. Which means the economics of the project will not be as attractive -> slower uptake by developers, which will probably lead to a slower rollout of any type of housing. So be it, not for me to hash out.

While the hospital and many of the other baubles are frustrating to read about, more frustrating is the omission, singular. A Rec Center in Hunters Point. The overwhelmingly largest plot of land in OneLIC has a singular owner. That plot of land has been somewhat incongruously tacked on to the rest of the zone – maybe for good reason. That plot of land is ideally situated among an already highly populated neighborhood that has no Rec Center. That plot of land will also become home to thousands more residents all within very close proximity of said Rec Center. Make like a president and cut a deal Mr. Borough President, you and Ms. Won currently have the leverage to do so. This will not last once the deal is passed.

//Urban Market’s expanded store in Hunter’s Point is expected to open in August – hallelujah!

BP backs city’s plan to rezone Long Island City

Borough President recommends approval of One LIC Neighborhood Plan with conditions