As part of a public-private partnership, 2021 MLS Cup Champions NYCFC will fully finance and build New York’s first professional football-specific stadium. It is estimated the transformation plan will add over US$6 billion to the local economy over the next three decades, creating 16,000 Jobs in the process.
Through a new partnership with 2021 Major League Soccer (MLS) side champions New York City Football Club (NYCFC) and Queens Development Group (QDG) have entered into a joint venture that will also see 2,500 new homes built at Willets Point, 40,000 ft2 of public open space, a 250-key hotel and ground-floor retail shops.
The significant infrastructure investment for this project will include additional environmental cleanup, as well as installation of new storm and sanitary sewers, reconstruction of streets, and streetscape improvements (Image: S9 Architecture)
“I’m thrilled to see today’s announcement of a transformative project at Willets Point that produces affordable housing, creates good-paying jobs for New Yorkers, and delivers a premier sports venue to Queens,” said First Deputy Mayor Lorraine Grillo. “The transformation of Willets Point is a ‘goal’ for the Adams administration, as this project will create a dynamic, new neighborhood in New York City that will include affordable housing, open spaces, retail, and a world-class soccer stadium.”
The phase two plan builds on phase one of the city’s development in the community, which includes the first 1,100 of the 2,500 total affordable homes as well as a new 650-seat standalone public school, new public open space, and significant infrastructure investment.
QDG has undertaken significant remediation of the formerly contaminated soil on the Willets Point site, allowing construction of the first affordable homes to begin (Image: S9 Architecture)
“New York City Football Club is proud to stand with Mayor Adams, Councilmember Francisco Moya, and union brothers and sisters to announce our privately financed soccer-specific stadium in Queens,” said Marty Edelman, vice chairman, NYCFC. “Our club has been investing in New York City for over a decade, and we are eager to invest these funds to help build a new community for our First Team, our dedicated fans, and our great city.”
The proposal was first presented in 2018 by the Willets Point Task Force, a group of Queens stakeholders represented by state and local elected officials, economic development groups, community-based organizations and local civic associations (Image: S9 Architecture)
Over four months, the task force identified community priorities and produced recommendations for the city-owned land, including a scenario that reimagined the Special Willets Point District as a hub for a new soccer stadium with public facilities, programmed open space with active and passive uses, and new homes at a range of affordability levels.
The 2,500 homes will cover seven buildings — including one with 220 homes for low-income seniors — with construction on the first buildings set to begin in 2023. Additionally, QDG will participate in HireNYC, a city program that connects local residents to jobs. It says its aiming to achieve the highest standards of environmental sustainability through either LEED Gold U.S. Green Building Council certification or Enterprise Green Communities.
The Willets Point transformation will need to go through the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) process and the New York City Public Design Commission. The ULURP process is expected to start by the end of 2023 (Image: S9 Architecture)
“After decades of discussion, finally the Willets Point community will get affordable housing and the critical infrastructure needed to support it,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi. “Today’s investment and action create the essential building blocks — shelter, roads, sidewalks, and a water system — that residents and future generations need to thrive.”
