3,000 Homes Planned for Former Flushing Airport in Queens

FLUSHING, Queens – Mayor Eric Adams announced a transformative housing project on Monday, aimed at converting the long-abandoned Flushing Airport site into 3,000 new homes. The development is part of the city’s broader effort to address the housing crisis, with construction expected to start in 2028.

The 80-acre site, once a bustling airport, has remained largely untouched since its closure in 1984 and has returned to wetlands. Mayor Adams emphasized the project’s importance during the kickoff of “Housing Week,” highlighting the need for affordable living spaces in the city.

<p"For too many decades, this valuable land has sat vacant, but our administration said it was time to change that," said Adams. "We issued a landmark executive order to build housing on city-owned sites like this one, and now we are excited to announce we will create around 3,000 new homes at the site of the former Flushing Airport."

Key partners in the project include Cirrus Workforce Housing and LCOR Incorporated, both of which have committed to using sustainable design practices, including mass timber construction. The proposal incorporates significant green space, with approximately 60 acres reserved for public parks.

Joseph McDonnell, managing principal at Cirrus, described the housing units as essential for the city’s workforce, which includes teachers, nurses, and police officers. “These are the people who are commuting from far away; they need dignified, high-quality housing where they work,” he said.

The project is expected to generate $3.2 billion in economic activity over the next 30 years, creating more than 1,300 construction jobs and 530 permanent positions. Adams believes such developments will fortify the middle class and foster a healthier community.

However, some local residents have raised concerns about potential impacts on the surrounding wetlands. The city has assured that all developments will adhere to strict environmental regulations, ensuring the wetlands will be preserved.

The announcement ties into Adams’ broader “City of Yes” initiative, which seeks innovative zoning reforms to increase housing availability across the city. Structural improvements, including traffic adjustments in the area, are also being planned to accommodate future growth.

With notable support from local union labor, this project is seen as a vital step toward addressing New York City‘s ongoing housing challenges.