The New York City Council has officially approved the Jamaica Neighborhood Plan, a rezoning initiative led by the Department of City Planning under the Adams administration. Spanning nearly 230 blocks in Jamaica, Queens, the plan will enable the creation of approximately 12,000 new homes, including 4,000 permanently affordable units, making it the largest Mandatory Inclusionary Housing zone in New York City to date. The plan is also expected to support 7,000 new jobs through over 2 million square feet of new commercial and community facility space.
The rezoning targets several key areas across Jamaica. In the Downtown Core, high-density mixed-use development with active retail and affordable housing will be permitted near Jamaica and Archer Avenues. The Southern Corridors will allow mid-rise, mixed-use buildings, while the South Core, south of Jamaica Station, will see housing introduced for the first time in decades. A new Industrial Growth Area will support light manufacturing and employment. The Adams administration has committed to building 120 income-restricted homes across five city-owned sites, and additional support programs will aid both renters and homeowners in the area.
Illustration of Jamaica Avenue and 165th Street, via jamaicaplan.nyc.
To support this scale of development, more than $400 million will be invested in infrastructure, including $315 million for sewer system improvements to mitigate flooding. Additional funding will go toward green infrastructure, upgraded public spaces, and public health projects, such as hospital expansion and a new Trauma Recovery Center. Parks and streetscapes throughout the neighborhood will also receive enhancements, including new transit plazas, redesigned corridors, and safety improvements under Vision Zero.
“Anyone who has spent time in Jamaica knows that it’s one of the city’s most bustling hubs, but for too long, outdated zoning held it back,” said DCP Director and CPC Chair Garodnick. “Thanks to today’s vote, that will change. Jamaica will see new homes, jobs, and investments that improve life for everyone who lives, works, and spends time there.”
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Great. Crimes will be committed in nicer looking areas.
Please elaborate.
What about schools? The schools are crumbling & old. They need renovations and modernizing. They need central heating and cooling systems self-directed. They need better equipments for students.
Also more schools need to be built to keep up with the class size law. Also build alternative schools for students that are failing and need to catch up or that have behavior issues.
They need more youth development programs too where kids can socialize and have fun. You pay taxes for stuff like this.
I’ll avoid taking a cynical stance. I find the market owners and shop workers here to be helpful, pleasant-enough and hard working. NYC needs to eliminate the idle crowd that gathers and hangs out there for hours. I’m sure the merchants would support such.
Sounds brilliant, great and authentically caring and efficient. Kudos to the inventors and planners. GOD’s guidance throughout.
Great I hope no more street vendors on the side walk.The side walk is for people to freely walking specially the old people.The streets should always be clean.Very important for Jamaica residents.