Tuesday, October 7, 2014

More Sunnyside Railyard development talk

From the Queens Courier:

The space above the Sunnyside Yards railroad complex could contain a hospital, affordable housing buildings, a school, a public space or some combination of those to form a new community.

At this point, Community Board 2 isn’t sure what could be built, but members approved urging Borough President Melinda Katz to begin a feasibility study regarding “decking,” or building a platform above the railroad tracks, in a public meeting Thursday — a plan that has long been floated around by top city officials.


Board chair Joseph Conley brought the matter up in the meeting for a vote, even though he wasn’t sure how much square footage of space the area would create and couldn’t pinpoint future challenges.

However, he suggested the project would cover just the Long Island City end of the yards — the southwest portion from about Jackson Avenue and 21st Street eastward to either the Thomson Avenue or Queens Boulevard walk-overs.

Some members complained that creating more housing in the area would increase the need for public services and infrastructure.

But Conley reasoned that it would be good to explore the ability to use the space, especially for affordable housing, as land prices continue to shoot upward in nearby communities such as Long Island City.

9 comments:

r185 said...

Is anyone thinking about the impact on the subway and infrastructure?!

Anonymous said...


That is why the location is ideal.

Rail lines and subways all converge to supply significant transit opportunitie both locally as well as regionally.

Also, a new hosptal to serve western Queens, which has been an urgent need for the last two decades, should be built.

Anonymous said...

Rail lines and subways all converge to supply significant transit opportunitie both locally as well as regionally.

SURE THEY CONVERGE. THE ROADS AT THE JERSEY TUNNELS CONVERGE TOO.

YOU FORGOT TO MENTION THAT THEY ARE TRANSIT OPPORTUNITIES THAT ALREADY AT 110%. DOES ANYONE THINK THAT TAKING A HALF HOUR TO CROSS THE BRIDGE IS A FORWARD STEP?

Anonymous said...

That Conley is a developer shill.

The difference between him and his other long term associate in CB1 is "Big Mike" Dinato acts and looks like a thug out of central casting.

We need to put the 'community' back into 'community' boards.

Anonymous said...

There were already hospitals in good locations like St John's and Mary Immaculate. Why the hell would the city spend the additional money in the site prep and construction at the train yard than simply take over and upgrade existing hospital structures?

By the way, I thought we had seen the last of the caps lock clowns at QC. I guess you never really get rid of them.

Anonymous said...

Naw, its just fun to do it sometimes.

The caps lock that is.

Anonymous said...

Notice how they talk of schools! hospitals! blah! blah!

How much resources have to be diverted from other communities to build this. How many people and how much resources they are going to need to sustain them and who is going to pay for it.

How is it going to impact on the surrounding housing and business districts?

The question why 1000s of more people is a good one because I cannot think of any reason it will improve my life or the life of anyone I know.

The schools and hospitals are merely bait to cover the back room bribes er campaign donations that are going on.

They are just drooling over this.

JQ said...

this can be good for those in need of housing and health care.Of course there must be diligent supervision and care to make sure these buildings will be well structured with solid foundations and materials.

but it won't if the developers regulate themselves.

even all those towers that were built in the hot towns in brooklyn,queens and manhattan in the last 3 years look like they will collapse if a sparrow shits on it.

Anonymous said...

No doubt that shady back door councilman Jimmy Van Bramer is all for it. He nets plenty of campaign contributions from shady developers like the Wolkoffs. Come to think of it, is Joe Conley gay?