CB1 Votes No on Current Astoria Cove Plan

We heard about the results of yesterday’s CB1 vote on Astoria Cove—a resounding NO, at least as it stands. The Real Deal has the details on the question of affordable housing in the development, a big element in CB1’s vote last night:

The board advised that the developer allot 35 percent of the 1,689 proposed apartments as affordable housing. The project began going through the Uniform Land Use Review Process in April. At the time, Alma reduced the number of affordable apartments at Astoria Cove from 340 to 295, slightly more than 20 percent of the planned units.

Currently, Alma Realty wants to include only 20% of the units as affordable. CB1 also wants “affordable” to mean low-, moderate-, and middle-income, including families.

Other demands CB1 made, according to Curbed’s report, are a installing a medical center, finding alternatives to getting building materials to the site (like barging), and an evacuation plan, since it’s right up against the water, pretty much. Most of the peninsula is in flood Zone 1. CB1’s other demands include giving priority to local construction workers and youth, both in the building and during the lifetime of the development.

As for the meeting on June 10, Curbed also has a good run down of what happened. We agree that the need for affordable housing is paramount. We also understand the desire for union jobs when it comes to construction. We’re pretty excited about the idea of a ferry (AKA water taxi), that could leave probably from the north side of Astoria Cove. An interesting point in the Curbed article, “While some saw a perfect opportunity to bypass going inland into Queens to get to Manhattan and back, others saw a tax-subsidized service for Astoria Cove’s presumably well-off future residents.”

But seriously, a ferry/water taxi seems like a necessity. When the Hallets Point development happens, and with it and Astoria Cove close to 8,000 residents could live on that little peninsula, transit of all kinds is going to be necessary. Can you imagine the traffic jams that will happen if most people drive or even take the bus? A ferry makes a lot of sense.

Community board rejects Alma’s Astoria Cove plan [TRD]
Astoria Megaproject Has Residents Scared About Affordability [Curbed]
Board Says Astoria Cove Needs More Affordable Housing [Curbed]

One Comment

hithere July 4th, 2014

The perfect way to get to and from this new development will be bikes! they need to develop an excellent bike lane network.

Reply