An aerial view of Anable Basin. (Kevin P. Coughlin/Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo)
Jan. 23, 2020 By Michael Dorgan
A public workshop on the future of a large tract of waterfront property—and the need for schools and community facilities–will be held at the Plaxall Gallery in Hunters Point on Monday.
The forum, which will take place at 5-25 46th Ave. at 6 p.m., will provide the public with an opportunity to put forward ideas concerning schools and recreation facilities that could go up on a 28-acre tract of land by Anable Basin.
The workshop will focus on schools, community facilities, recreation and culture.
The public meeting is the third in a series of four workshops being held by YourLIC, a group formed by four developers that own land within the 28-acre area. The group was put together at the request of the city council, which wants the developers to come up with one unified plan for the waterfront as opposed to separate concepts.
The workshops provide the public with an opportunity to put forward ideas as to what should be included in the plan. Previous workshops discussed small business creation, career development, ideas on open space and flood mitigation plans.
The 28-acre area primarily consists of private property although there are two city-owned sites on 44th Drive as well as the Department of Education property. The two city-owned sites are being overseen by the Economic Development Corp. and are likely to be developed by TF Cornerstone.
The separate sites that make up the 28-acre area (Rendering: YourLIC)
However, there have been calls by residents and public officials– such as Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney–for the city-owned property and DOE building to be set aside for park space and/or public use.
The privately-held sites are owned by L&L MAG, Simon Baron Development and Plaxall.
The 28-acres are bound by the Con Edison site to the north, Queens West to the south and Vernon Boulevard to the east.
Earlier this month, consultants for YourLIC presented plans before Community Board 2 outlining where park space is likely to go and how they aim to combat flooding.
The consultants put forward a plan that would see seven-to-eight acres of open space, which would link the entire waterfront from Gantry Plaza State Park all the way to the Con Edison site.
Plans for lawn spaces, sports fields, plaza space, playground space, overlooks, dog runs, markets, walkways and board walks were also heard.
Those looking to attend Monday’s event can register here.
A summary of the workshop will be posted afterwards at www.yourlic.nyc
For those unable to attend, ideas can be submitted before an online portal.
The 28-acre area that is being addressed by YourLIC (Rendering: YourLIC)
