By Bill Parry
The mammoth Astoria Cove residential complex is now in the home stretch of the public approval process after 10 out of 13 commissioners on the City Planning Commission voted their support Monday. The project features five mixed-use buildings with nearly 1,700 units that will take a decade to construct on Hallets Point if the City Council gives final approval.
“While the new housing stock is sorely needed, the development must work for all Astorians,” Councilman Costa Constantinides (D-Astoria) said. “When the project comes before the City Council, we will work with the developer and focus on providing ample affordable housing, dramatically increasing public transportation capacity on and off of the peninsula, and keeping the development within the fabric of the community.
Queens Borough President Melinda Katz and Community Board 1 objected to the Astoria Cove project, recommending that the developers add more affordable housing units to the plan that currently is set at 20 percent.
2030 Astoria Developers, the group behind the project that includes Alma Reality, issued a release thanking the commission for its decision and promised to work with elected officials and residents to make sure their project is beneficial for everyone.
The City Council has 60 days to hold hearings and vote on the project.
Reach reporter Bill Parry by e-mail at bparry@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4538.
