By Forum Staff
Mayor Eric Adams on Monday unveiled a sweeping proposal to build approximately 3,000 homes and 60 acres of public space on the site of the former Flushing Airport in College Point.
The development—led by NYC-based firms Cirrus Workforce Housing and LCOR Incorporated—is projected to generate $3.2 billion in economic activity over the next 30 years, creating over 1,300 union constructions job and 530 permanent careers. Cirrus-LCOR’s proposal also includes sustainable design elements and high-quality, park-like landscaping to integrate the buildings into the surrounding wetlands environment.
After Adams issued an executive order last year requiring City agencies to review their portfolios and identify potential sites for new housing, the City Economic Development Corporation led a request-for-proposals process to identify a developer for the former Flushing Airport.
The site has not been active since the airport was decommissioned in 1984 and has largely reverted to nature. Cirrus-LCOR’s proposal will utilize sustainable design elements, including a commitment to explore the use of mass timber construction and high-quality park-like landscaping that is accessible to the public and sensitively integrates the buildings into a modern wetlands environment with nature walks, sitting areas, rambles, natural open space vistas, and wildlife habitat, according to the City. Cirrus and LCOR have committed to build and operate the development with 100 percent union labor.
“At the dawn of modern aviation a century ago, Flushing Airport made history as New York City’s first-ever airfield and eventually the busiest airport in the five boroughs. But today, we’re beginning the process of repurposing that incredible piece of Queens’ history into a critical aspect of Queens’ future,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. “After years of conversations between my office, the Mayor’s Office and NYCEDC, I couldn’t be more excited to help announce this innovative plan to build badly needed affordable housing and create good-paying jobs on this historic-turned-vacant site. I look forward to the planning process, as we work collectively to reimagine this site into forever homes, thriving small businesses and engaging park space.”
Following the completion of a successful Uniform Land Use Review Procedure and a robust environmental review, construction on the project is expected to begin in 2028.
“The redevelopment of the former Flushing Airport will deliver thousands of affordable and accessible homes that are financed by, built by, and lived in by union workers, as a result of our partnership with Cirrus and Mayor Adams,” said Gary LaBarbera, president, Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York. “Thanks to this generational program, this project and others like it will continue to reinforce labor’s historic role in boosting the middle class, generating family-sustaining careers, and providing our communities with economic stimulus. Hardworking New Yorkers, like our tradesmen and tradeswomen, deserve to live comfortably and raise their families in the city they serve. We are grateful for the collaboration from Mayor’s Office, NYCEDC, Cirrus, and LCOR on forging a path for this particular development and look forward to seeing this unique approach to housing continue to come to fruition and improve the lives of countless New Yorkers.”
