In a recent edition of Daily Dirt, readers were invited to propose bold ideas for large-scale housing development in New York City. Among the suggestions, Ken Fisher, a land-use lawyer at Cozen O’Connor and former City Council member, offered an idea that builds on the New York Building Congress’s proposal to rezone areas along the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Interborough Express (IBX) route.
Fisher suggested that Empire State Development, a state agency, should implement a general project plan (GPP) instead of pursuing separate rezonings. “In addition to being comprehensive and faster, a GPP could allow revenue sharing with the MTA, which zoning can’t,” Fisher said. The potential for housing along the IBX route will be discussed further in a panel on October 29.
The concept of funding mass transit through private development near train routes was also mentioned. This method has been used elsewhere and is seen as a way to capture increased property values resulting from transit projects. For example, the Bloomberg administration extended the 7 train to Hudson Yards using this approach.
Bernard D’Orazio, a commercial debt collection attorney, proposed extending the 7 train to the Meadowlands in New Jersey and building a new neighborhood around existing parking lots. He stated, “Extend the 7 train to the Meadowlands and build a big neighborhood in and around the parking lots. People don’t need to live in the city, just close to the city. Ditch the new Port Authority Bus Terminal [plan] and build it in New Jersey on the new subway line.” This idea echoes a 2011 proposal by the Bloomberg administration. A city-commissioned study found that trains could travel from Secaucus to Grand Central in 16 minutes, but the MTA did not move forward with it.
Other readers recommended changes to the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act to enable renovation and re-rental of more mothballed rent-stabilized units. While this is considered a cost-effective way to add housing, it does not meet the criteria for large-scale development ideas sought by Daily Dirt.
One reader proposed building floating islands off Canarsie Pier or constructing high-rises on nearby uninhabited islands connected by tunnels. The response noted several obstacles: building floating housing would be expensive due to labor costs; Canarsie Pol, the island referenced, is part of Gateway National Recreation Area and unsuitable for towers due to its composition; extending the subway would be cost-prohibitive; and even with improved access, commuting distance would limit value for residents.
Governors Island was cited as another potential site for new housing. However, restrictions tied to its transfer from federal ownership limit development to student and faculty housing only.
