NYCFC soccer venue plans move forward

Image: NYCFC

On October 17^th, the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) announced the formal beginning of the Uniform Land Use Review Process ‘ULURP’ for the transformation of Willets Point, Queens (New York, US) into the City’s largest all-affordable housing community in 40 years and the City’s first Major League Soccer (MLS) stadium that will be privately-financed.

‘NYCFC’ stated that the project, formally known as the Willets Point Phase 2, announced last November by the Mayor of New York City Eric Adams and the New York City Council Member Francisco Moya, will yield a total of 2,500 units of 100 percent affordable housing at the site, more than any other housing development in New York City since the 1980s. The plan also calls for a new 650-seat public school, 40,000 square feet of new public open space, retail space, a 250-key hotel and the permanent home for New York City Football Club (NYCFC), the City’s first soccer-specific stadium, which will be privately-financed.

The New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) is a nonprofit organization that works to promote economic growth in New York City (US).

The Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) is a process mandated by the 1975 revision of the New York City Charter that is invoked when a proposed development will affect certain legal protections afforded to the existing area and/or its inhabitants.

The New York City FC, also known as the New York City Football Club and NYCFC, is an American professional soccer club based in New York City (US) that competes in Major League Soccer (MLS), the highest level of American soccer, as a member of the league’s Eastern Conference.

Image: NYCFC

The 46,537-capacity Yankee Stadium is a baseball and soccer stadium located in Bronx, New York City (US). It is the home stadium of the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball (MLB) and the New York City FC of Major League Soccer (MLS).

Said Eric Adams, New York City Mayor, “Today (October 17^th), we take a major step closer to creating 2,500 affordable homes – New York City’s largest fully affordable housing project in decades – while simultaneously creating 16,000 good-paying jobs to provide a true pathway to the middle class, right in the heart of Queens. With this plan, our administration is seizing a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create a brand-new neighborhood – a Willets Point that offers opportunity for the working people and all New Yorkers. As we begin the land use review process, we look forward to building on our extensive engagement by continuing conversations with the community members and building a true ‘City of Yes’.”

Stated Francisco Moya, New York City Council Member, “We are one step closer to finalizing a project that has it all. This is a once-in-a-generation project that prioritizes housing in a City that is currently facing a severe housing crisis. It’s not just about providing homes but also about creating stable job opportunities, helping alleviate the burden of our neighboring schools which are overcapacity, enhancing open spaces and establishing a state-of-the-art privately- funded soccer stadium, which will act as the economic engine driving this entire vision. I eagerly anticipate continued collaboration with Mayor Eric Adams, development partners, Community Board 7, and all other stakeholders, as well as our dedicated community leaders and members, whose support is essential for a project that simply makes sense.”

Added Jeff Blau, head honcho, Related Companies, “This is another important step for a transformational project that will bring the most significant development of affordable housing to New York City in decades.”

Said Jeff Wilpon of Sterling Equities, “Under Mayor Adams leadership, and together with our partners at the NYCFC and NYCEDC, we’re committed to creating the model neighborhood at Willets Point featuring thousands of units of affordable housing and the world’s game in the world’s borough.”

Stated NYCFC Vice-Chairman Marty Edelman, “For 10 years, the NYCFC proudly invested in our great City with a focus on soccer and community. Today (October 17^th) marks the continuation of the conversation with the community and the elected officials to approve our building a privately-funded soccer stadium with 100 percent union labor alongside our development partner QDG, who will anchor this new community by delivering 2, 5000 units of 100 percent affordable housing. Queens and New York City need and deserve this transformational new community in Willets Point. We promised our growing fan base we would build their home in the five boroughs, and with their continued enthusiastic support, we continue our journey to have that home as part of this unprecedented new housing community.”

‘NYCFC’ further stated that led by the NYCEDC, on behalf of the City of New York, the Queens Development Group (QDG), NYCFC, the project is expected to generate $6.1 billion in economic impact over the next 30 years, creating 1,550 permanent jobs and 14,200 construction jobs. Together, the City and the QDG have undertaken significant remediation of the formerly contaminated soil at Willets Point, allowing construction of the first 1,100 affordable homes, which have already received public approval, to begin by the end of the year. An additional 1,400 additional all-affordable housing units are a part of the Phase 2 project.

New York (US)-based the Related Companies is a global real estate and lifestyle company defined by innovation and the most prominent privately-owned real estate firm in the United States. Formed over 45 years ago, Related is the largest private owner of affordable housing and a fully-integrated, highly diversified industry leader with experience in virtually every aspect of development, acquisitions, management, finance, marketing, and sales.

The Sterling Equities is a family-run group of companies that focuses on real estate, sports and media in the New York area. The company is based in Great Neck, New York (US).

The Queens Development Group (QDG) is a joint venture between the Related Companies and Sterling Equities. The group is working with the New York City Football Club to build New York City’s first soccer-specific stadium. The stadium is expected to generate over $6 billion in economic impact.

Support for the transformation of Willets Point is broad and deep, with dozens of local residents, affordable housing advocates, labor, community leaders, soccer fans, and elected officials having expressed enthusiasm at public forums for the project.

The construction of the City’s first Major League Soccer (MLS) stadium will expand Willets Point as the City’s premier sports hub, with the MLB team New York Mets’ 41,800-capacity Citi Field and the U.S. Tennis Association Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, both also within walking distance of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA’s) Mets-Willets Point subway and the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) Station.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is a public benefit corporation responsible for public transportation in the New York City metropolitan area of the US State of New York.

The Long Island Rail Road, often abbreviated as the LIRR, is a commuter rail system in the Southeastern part of the US State of New York, stretching from Manhattan to the Eastern tip of Suffolk County on Long Island.

Said Maria Torres-Springer, Deputy Mayor for Economic and Workforce Development, “The Willets Point Transformation is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to finally deliver on a promise that has been in decades of discussion. Our administration’s dedicated efforts to deliver 2,500 affordable homes, a world-class soccer stadium, open space, and local retail to Willets Point reaches another milestone as the Phase 2 begins the ULURP process. We are excited to work with the community, the Borough President, the Local Council Member, and the development partners through the City’s public review process.”

Continue to follow Coliseum for latest updates on venues business news. Coliseum is dedicated towards building the best global community of sports and entertainment venue executives and professionals creating better and more profitable venues.

Become a member of the only Global Sports Venue Alliance and connect with stadiums, arenas and experts from around the world. Apply for membership at coliseum-online.com/alliance and make use of the 365Coliseum Business.

• Tags »
• MLS
• New York City
• New York City Football Club
• US

« Previous News: Ratcliffe ready to speed up Old Trafford rejig
» Next News: Australian Open Courtside Bar to raise the bar