In a meeting with Willets Point Queens Community Board 7, the New York City Football Club presented its plans to construct a 25,000-seat soccer stadium near Citi Field in Corona, Queens. Known as the Willets Point Revitalization Plan, the scope of work also includes a 100-percent affordable housing project with more than 2,500 units, a 650-seat school, a 250-key hotel, retail and dining locations, and more than 40,000 square feet of public open space.
While plans for the project were well received by community leaders, the project will still need to pass the city’s Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP), set to begin this year.
“From the beginning, New York City Football Club has understood the importance of strong communication and collaboration with mayor [Eric] Adams, councilmember Francisco Moya, borough president Richards, and the local Queens community as we move forward with plans for a privately financed soccer-specific stadium,” said the club’s vice chairman Marty Edelman. “This continued investment in New York City will create a long-overdue home for our first team, and create a new neighborhood for Queens.”
Rendering of the New York City Football Club soccer stadium in Willets Point, Queens
Rendering inside the New York City Football Club soccer stadium in Willets Point, Queens
Renderings from HOK, a global architecture and engineering firm, depict a sprawling campus with the stadium as the focal point. The main entrance to the stadium will be located along 126th Street at the western boundary of Citi Field. S9 Architecture has designed the affordable housing component, which includes several mid-rise structures with large central courtyards that complement the shape and massing of the stadium.
Total project costs are estimated around $780 million.
Since the ULURP process has yet to begin, the project team cannot confirm when the stadium component can be expected. The first phase of housing could break ground by the end of this year.
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A soccer stadium and housing replacing New York City’s biggest eyesore: The Iron Triangle. That is a win.
Let’s hope ULURP doesn’t torpedo this by requiring 150% of units with free housing or something ridiculous.
Love the exterior design and how it doesn’t feature and crazy curves. It will just blend in with the housing, which I personally prefer.
I will turn 75 years of age in September. I grew up in Fresh Meadows on the other side of what was then Horace Harding Blvd and then the LIE from its opening in ’60. I now live out west in AZ. However, I keep track of what’s going on in the City with YIMBY; I at least get back to NY about three times per year. It has, literally, taken my lifetime for this dump to be transformed. FINALLY.
The area is properly Willets Point Blvd., a road that goes to Willets Point, the site of Fort Totten near the Throggs Neck Bridge. For years, the auto parts stores have been an eyesore and frequently under suspicion for the high auto theft rates in Flushing. The site has three problems, the elevated #7 train that rumbles by frequently on the south. To the east is Flushing Creek which assaults another organ of sense, especially at low tide. The area is a former marsh and is still not that elevated despite landfill. Flushing Meadows Park to the south is likely the largest venue for amateur soccer in the city and the new stadium will likely prove popular.
Not a NYCFC fan, but this is an awesome project! 2,500 units—massive!
Dome. Dome. Dome.
Please plan for year-round events, shows, concerts, etc.