"Queens Residents Sound Alarm as City Proposal Sparks Fears of Gentrification"
A contentious proposal to rezone a section of Elmhurst, Queens, has residents on high alert, warning that it could accelerate gentrification and displacement in the already under-resourced area. The city plan would allow a developer to build a 13-story residential tower at 78-01 Queens Boulevard, despite local opposition from Community Board 4, which voted 30-2 against the measure.
The proposal has reignited long-standing debates over growth and affordability in Queens, where construction of even one high-rise building can spark intense community pushback. The Elmhurst/Corona area boasts a relatively low apartment vacancy rate, with only 2.1% available units, according to Community Board 4. Meanwhile, nearly 31% of renters spend more than half their income on rent.
Local residents, including long-time business owners like Lester Lin, have expressed support for development that prioritizes affordability and community benefits. However, they also caution against the risks of "bad developers" leaving behind failed projects and urban blight.
As the debate rages on, Councilmember Shekar Krishnan has promised to prioritize the needs of his constituents, emphasizing the importance of affordable housing and community infrastructure in future developments. The proposed project is set to undergo a final review by the City Council, with potential implications for the already fragile social fabric of Elmhurst.
Critics argue that the rezoning could accelerate gentrification, pricing out long-time Asian American small businesses and vulnerable residents who rely on these areas for support. With Queens facing a chronic housing shortage, the stakes are high, as community members push back against what they see as an uneven playing field.
A contentious proposal to rezone a section of Elmhurst, Queens, has residents on high alert, warning that it could accelerate gentrification and displacement in the already under-resourced area. The city plan would allow a developer to build a 13-story residential tower at 78-01 Queens Boulevard, despite local opposition from Community Board 4, which voted 30-2 against the measure.
The proposal has reignited long-standing debates over growth and affordability in Queens, where construction of even one high-rise building can spark intense community pushback. The Elmhurst/Corona area boasts a relatively low apartment vacancy rate, with only 2.1% available units, according to Community Board 4. Meanwhile, nearly 31% of renters spend more than half their income on rent.
Local residents, including long-time business owners like Lester Lin, have expressed support for development that prioritizes affordability and community benefits. However, they also caution against the risks of "bad developers" leaving behind failed projects and urban blight.
As the debate rages on, Councilmember Shekar Krishnan has promised to prioritize the needs of his constituents, emphasizing the importance of affordable housing and community infrastructure in future developments. The proposed project is set to undergo a final review by the City Council, with potential implications for the already fragile social fabric of Elmhurst.
Critics argue that the rezoning could accelerate gentrification, pricing out long-time Asian American small businesses and vulnerable residents who rely on these areas for support. With Queens facing a chronic housing shortage, the stakes are high, as community members push back against what they see as an uneven playing field.
. Elmhurst has always been a tight-knit community with a lot of heart, but if it gets gentrified, I think we'll lose that charm 
. The 13-story tower might bring in some new people and businesses, but at what cost? I've lived here for years and I know how hard it is to find affordable places to live or rent 
. The fact that 31% of renters spend more than half their income on rent is crazy...it's like they're living paycheck to paycheck 
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. I don't want to see those small Asian American businesses pushed out by fancy new cafes and shops 
. It's not just about the money; it's about community and making sure everyone has a place to call home 
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. Either way, I think we should all be keeping an eye on this proposal and making our voices heard 
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seriously though, gentrification is real and queens is about to get hit hard if this goes through. those asian american small businesses need support, not priced out of their own neighborhoods. and affordable housing? yeah right, like that's gonna happen with the city's current priorities 
13-story tower in a area with only 2.1% available units? sounds like a recipe for disaster to me 
like dont even get me started on gentrification its literally ruining neighborhoods in queens my cousin lives in elmhurst and she's always talking about how it's getting too expensive to live there now with the new developments popping up everywhere its like they're pushing out all the small businesses and long-time residents who have been living there for years 
councilmember shekhar Krishnan sounds all well and good but what about when its all said and done? is affordable housing just a buzzword now?
like 31% of renters in queens spend more than half their income on rent? that's insane 
. we need more transparency and community benefits to ensure these projects don't leave behind urban blight 
it's not just about gentrification, it's about the human cost of unchecked growth 
. If they can make it work with affordable housing options and community infrastructure, then maybe it'll be okay 
. But if it just becomes another failed development project leaving behind urban blight... then we're in trouble 
. I'm keeping an eye on this one – gotta see how the City Council reviews it 
, but really it's just gonna push out the people who actually live here. I mean, 2.1% vacancy rate? That's like, super low. And nearly 31% of renters are already struggling to make ends meet. It's not exactly a thriving community.
. I'm sure they're just happy to see a influx of new money and customers... meanwhile, their own businesses are still struggling to survive because of rising costs and rents.
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. I wish we could have more thoughtful discussions where people actually engage with each other's ideas instead of just shouting " gentrification is evil!" or "we need more affordable housing now!" 
and the city is all about "affordable housing" but what even is that 
? i think councilmember krishnan's trying to do his thing but this rezoning stuff needs a lot more scrutiny 
and what's with the "bad developers" warning 
