Gentrification Looms Over Queens Neighborhood as City Pushes for High-Rise Development
Residents of Elmhurst, a low-lying corner of Queens, are sounding the alarm over a city proposal that could fuel gentrification and displacement in their community. The plan involves rezoning an area that includes 78-01 Queens Boulevard to allow a private developer to build a 13-story, 314-unit residential tower, including 79 affordable units.
Despite concerns about the impact on the neighborhood's character and affordability, members of Queens Community Board 4 overwhelmingly voted against the proposal in June. The board noted that the area is currently home to one- and two-family homes or light manufacturing, making the proposed high-rise development out of place.
"This is really, really out of character," said Brianna Cea, a member of the community board. "Just one high-rise development and upzoning can pave the way for more luxury housing, high-end stores that will ultimately price out our Asian American small businesses and the elderly residents that rely on those areas."
Cea's comments reflect the ongoing debate over growth in Queens, where tensions between displacement and a chronic lack of affordable housing are simmering. Even modest development projects like the Elmhurst proposal can become flashpoints for community concerns.
Meanwhile, Councilmember Shekar Krishnan has vowed to prioritize the needs of his constituents in evaluating the proposed project. "Elmhurst is very dense – future developments need to include community infrastructure, prioritize green space, and ensure supportive and educational spaces," he said.
However, some residents are more open to development at the site, with caveats. Lester Lin, a lifelong resident of Elmhurst, acknowledged that his neighborhood has struggled with neglect and crime in the past. "But when there's really cool ones like luxury buildings and they have affordable housing, I'm not complaining about that," he said.
The proposed rezoning is part of a larger debate over growth in Queens, where a sweeping plan to create 12,000 new homes could soon come to a vote. The city's largest development project in at least two decades, the Jamaica plan includes 230 blocks of rezoning and aims to address the borough's chronic housing shortage.
As the battle for Elmhurst's future continues, one thing is clear: the fight over affordable housing and community character will only intensify in Queens' most vulnerable neighborhoods.
Residents of Elmhurst, a low-lying corner of Queens, are sounding the alarm over a city proposal that could fuel gentrification and displacement in their community. The plan involves rezoning an area that includes 78-01 Queens Boulevard to allow a private developer to build a 13-story, 314-unit residential tower, including 79 affordable units.
Despite concerns about the impact on the neighborhood's character and affordability, members of Queens Community Board 4 overwhelmingly voted against the proposal in June. The board noted that the area is currently home to one- and two-family homes or light manufacturing, making the proposed high-rise development out of place.
"This is really, really out of character," said Brianna Cea, a member of the community board. "Just one high-rise development and upzoning can pave the way for more luxury housing, high-end stores that will ultimately price out our Asian American small businesses and the elderly residents that rely on those areas."
Cea's comments reflect the ongoing debate over growth in Queens, where tensions between displacement and a chronic lack of affordable housing are simmering. Even modest development projects like the Elmhurst proposal can become flashpoints for community concerns.
Meanwhile, Councilmember Shekar Krishnan has vowed to prioritize the needs of his constituents in evaluating the proposed project. "Elmhurst is very dense – future developments need to include community infrastructure, prioritize green space, and ensure supportive and educational spaces," he said.
However, some residents are more open to development at the site, with caveats. Lester Lin, a lifelong resident of Elmhurst, acknowledged that his neighborhood has struggled with neglect and crime in the past. "But when there's really cool ones like luxury buildings and they have affordable housing, I'm not complaining about that," he said.
The proposed rezoning is part of a larger debate over growth in Queens, where a sweeping plan to create 12,000 new homes could soon come to a vote. The city's largest development project in at least two decades, the Jamaica plan includes 230 blocks of rezoning and aims to address the borough's chronic housing shortage.
As the battle for Elmhurst's future continues, one thing is clear: the fight over affordable housing and community character will only intensify in Queens' most vulnerable neighborhoods.
. These new high-rise developments might bring in some cash, but they're gonna push out all the small businesses and elderly folks that already make this place special 
. I mean, 79 affordable units sounds nice on paper, but it's not like there's a shortage of housing in Queens or something... 
Have we seen any plans for community spaces or green areas to go with all these new developments? It feels like the city is just giving in to pressure from developers without thinking about the people who actually live here 
. What do you guys think should be prioritized when it comes to growth in Queens? 
. I mean, can't we just preserve our communities for the people who actually live there? They're not asking for much - just a bit of green space and some affordable housing that doesn't come with a million-dollar price tag 
.
Newsflash: Elmhurst isn't Brooklyn or Manhattan - it has its own unique character and that's worth preserving.
I'm like totally confused about this whole gentrification thing 
I mean, I know some people are all about progress and growth, but what's up with Elmhurst not wanting a high-rise tower? It's just 13 stories, dude! 
I'm kinda worried that this might push out all the small Asian American businesses 
and make it harder for seniors to afford housing. But at the same time, if there are affordable units included 
, maybe it's not all bad? Lester said something about being cool with luxury buildings as long as they're affordable 
I guess I can see both sides of this argument 
It's gonna drive up prices, it's gonna push out the small businesses and the old folks who need affordable housing. And what's the city comin' to? Prioritizin' luxury condos over community spaces and green areas? 
It just don't sit right with me.
I think this whole gentrification debate is super complex, but here's my take... The city's push for high-rise development is trying to address Queens' chronic housing shortage, but we gotta consider the people who already live there 
. If luxury developments start popping up, it could push out long-time residents and small businesses, making it harder for people to find affordable housing or own a home 
, like including green spaces, supportive services, and affordable housing options. It's not just about throwing money at the problem, we need thoughtful planning that considers what's best for the community 
.
we need more green spaces, community infrastructure, and affordable housing not just fancy new buildings 
I mean, it's like they're just gonna push people out of their homes for a bunch of fancy new buildings... and what about the affordable housing 
. I think the city needs to take a step back and consider the community's needs before moving forward with large-scale development projects 
. We need more than just token affordable units; we need a comprehensive plan to address the root causes of affordability and displacement 
. The city should also prioritize community infrastructure, green space, and supportive services to ensure that new developments benefit existing residents 
. The real question is: can we find a way to balance growth with affordability and community character? 
The city's plan to build a 13-story high-rise in Elmhurst is gonna be super problematic 
and elderly residents 
. It's like, what's the point of affordable housing if it's just for high-end luxury buyers? 
... Councilmember Krishnan is trying to do the right thing, but we need more than just empty promises 
. This development could be a disaster for Elmhurst and Queens as a whole 
.
i mean its like they're taking it to a whole new level with those subtle designs on top 
anyway back to this gentrification thingy... did u know that the most expensive coffee in the world is made from elephant poop? 
sounds crazy but apparently its called Kopi Luwak and can cost upwards of 100 bucks per pound! who knew we'd be paying for poop next time were discussing high-rise development and affordable housing 