Astoria Cove Development Public Scoping Meetings in May

Astoria Cove – So What’s the Deal?

Earlier this week we learned more about Astoria Cove, a new development potentially happening in far western Astoria – on 26th Avenue, approximately between 9th and 4th Streets. It would bring 1,535-units of housing and 6-7 new buildings to this rather sleepy part of the neighborhood. Here’s a drawing of the proposed development:

We first caught wind of this whole thing this week via Curbed. Here is what they wrote about the plans for this development. Here’s the quote we mentioned on Facebook:

“The plans call for a combination of townhouses and towers on a waterfront site overlooking Pot Cove. It sits on 26th Avenue, roughly between 9th and 4th Streets. The buildings further inland would top out at 80 feet (8 stories), while the apartment buildings near the water would rise between 120 and 300 feet. Twenty percent of the apartments, about 340, would be affordable. The development would include public access to the waterfront, a 25,000-square-foot supermarket, and 117-square-feet of retail space. There would be the option to build a 456-seat elementary school, and the developer is also exploring options for a residents-only shuttle service to and from the 30th Street N/Q station.”

Reader Feedback About Astoria Cove

Our readers had a lot to say about this. Here are a few quotes:

“I’d love to know what their concept of affordable is and what the income threshold would be for it. Much of the time it’s very low income and the middle income folks are left out in the dust, while those with luxury income take the remaining 80%.” – Dayna

“It’s important to remember that developers building on the waterfront are required to include a certain amount of publicly accessible space. I’d love to see more details about the open space they’re proposing.” – Ilana

“Regardless of whether or not we might like the people who will live in these new buildings, the fact remains that it is underutilized waterfront land. Right now there are dilapidated factories there, rats, and situations that can facilitate crime. More housing (even if most is market rate) will help bring life to the area and expand the greenway along the water from Astoria Park all the way around to Socrates Park. I would hope a Water Taxi dock will be part of the plan. Residents living there need that more than a ride to the N/Q. That or improved public bus routes direct to Queens Plaza/Queensboro Plaza. As others said, there will need to be improved roadways and electical power services put in place.” -Thomas

Public Scoping Meetings on Astoria Cove

For those with concerns, questions, or are simply wondering about this development, two public scoping meetings have been scheduled for late May. They will take place at the Goodwill Astoria Headquarters on 27th Avenue, not far from this proposed development. Here is the announcement from the Department of City Planning:

A public scoping meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday, May 28, 2013 and will be held in the cafeteria of the Goodwill Astoria Headquarters located at 4-21 27th Avenue, Astoria, New York, 11102; access through the main lobby on 4th Street.  The meeting was held in two separate sessions with the first session starting at 3:00 pm and the second starting at 6:30 pm. Written comments will be accepted by the lead agency through Friday, June 7, 2013.

There are also some PDFs you can read before attending the meeting:

• Scoping Notice
• Draft Scope of Work
• Environmental Assessment Statement
• Scoping Protocol

As we mentioned on Facebook, this development, along with the other one – Hallets Point, which is nearby – could bring a combined total of 4,179 new units of housing to this part of Astoria. With those kinds of numbers, the question about how the current infrastructure could handle such an influx of people is totally legit, and a serious one, at that.

Here’s to learning more about these potential changes to the neighborhood.

One Comment

Western Queens Transportation Study to Address Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety, Connections to Transit | Mobilizing the Region February 12th, 2016

[…] influx of new waterfront development along the East River. Developments such as Halletts Point, Astoria Cove, Silvercup West, Queens West, and Hunters Point South are set to bring in up to 15,000 new […]

Reply