Mayor Adams celebrates the opening of two major projects in Far Rockaway. Image Credit: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office.

In addition to 224 affordable homes, street safety improvements have been implemented in downtown Far Rockaway. On August 4, 2022, Mayor Eric Adams announced the completion of two projects in downtown Far Rockaway, delivering on key commitments in 2016’s Downtown Far Rockaway Roadmap for Action. Together, both projects brought $234 million in investment to the neighborhood. (more…)

Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. announces Operation Urban Sustainability on Earth Day. Image credit: Queens Borough President’s Office/Twitter.

On April 22, 2022, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. announced the start of Operation Urban Sustainability, a group that will consist of borough and city leaders in sustainability and resiliency who will work together to guide environmental initiatives in Queens. In recent years, Queens has seen devastating flooding, including last year’s Hurricane Ida, where dangerous flash flooding killed thirteen people, mostly in Queens. The announcement is part of a growing response on a borough and citywide level to address environmental concerns and protect New Yorkers.  (more…)

New curb cuts and streets are part of the progress made during Phase 1 of the Downtown Far Rockaway reconstruction. Image Credit: NYC DDC,

The project will enhance economic opportunity for Queens residents and prevent future flooding. On August 2, 2021, the New York City Economic Development Corporation, and the Departments of Environmental Protection, Transportation, and Design and Construction announced the completion of Phase 1 of a $139 million project to revitalize Downtown Far Rockaway’s infrastructure. Phase 1 was completed ahead of schedule, 21 months after the project was first announced. (more…)

Rendering of Beach 21st Street. Image Credit: HPD

Over 1,380 new affordable apartments were added to Far Rockaway since it was rezoned in 2017. On January 15, 2020, the Department of Housing Preservation and Development announced a new plan to add 793 affordable apartments to revitalize and strengthen neighborhoods in the Downtown Far Rockway area of Queens. Units will be spread across three properties – RadRoc, Beach 21 and Rockaway Village, and will include units set aside for the formerly homeless and individuals with extremely low to moderate incomes. These units will be built in addition to the 590 units financed following the New York City Council’s vote to rezone in Far Rockaway in September 2017. (more…)

53rd Police Precinct Police Station. Image credit: LPC.

Both dating to the early 20th century, firehouse and police precinct station designated in part for their role in Far Rockaway’s development as a year-round residential community. At its meeting on May 29, 2018, the Landmarks Preservation Commission voted to designate two buildings in in the Far Rockaway neighborhood of Queens as individual City landmarks. The buidlings are the 53rd Police Precinct Police Station, at 16-12 Mott Avenue, and the Firehouse, Engine Companies 264 & 328, Ladder Company 134 at 16-14 Central Avenue.  (more…)