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Overcrowded College Point residents want housing plan on abandoned airport site grounded

Flushing Airport Housing Mega-Project Sparks Outrage: Will It Drown College Point in Chaos?

In the heart of Queens, where the ghosts of old runways still linger amid marshy wetlands, a bold new vision for urban development is stirring up a storm of controversy. The former Flushing Airport site, shuttered since 1984 and long relegated to a forgotten patch of overgrown land, is now at the center of a massive housing proposal that critics warn could "sink" the neighboring community of College Point. According to city planners and developers, the project aims to transform this 100-plus-acre expanse into a sprawling residential complex, complete with thousands of apartments, retail spaces, and green areas. But locals and experts alike are sounding the alarm, arguing that the plan ignores the site's precarious environmental vulnerabilities and the already strained infrastructure of the surrounding neighborhoods. As New York City grapples with its perennial housing crisis, this initiative highlights the tense balance between progress and preservation, with College Point potentially paying the steepest price.

To understand the uproar, one must first delve into the history of Flushing Airport. Opened in 1929 as a bustling hub for early aviation, it served as a key airfield during World War II and hosted everything from private planes to experimental flights. By the 1970s, however, urban sprawl and safety concerns led to its decline, culminating in its closure. What followed was decades of neglect, with the land evolving into a de facto wetland fed by the nearby Flushing Bay and Kissena Creek. Environmentalists have long praised this transformation, noting how the area has become a haven for migratory birds, native plants, and even rare species like the diamondback terrapin. The site's low-lying topography, prone to flooding, has made it a natural buffer against storm surges, especially in an era of rising sea levels driven by climate change.

Enter the current proposal, spearheaded by a consortium of developers including major players like Related Companies and backed by the New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC). Unveiled in early 2025, the plan envisions redeveloping the airport grounds into a mixed-use community dubbed "Flushing Bay Residences." At its core are plans for up to 5,000 housing units, a mix of market-rate apartments, affordable housing, and senior living facilities. Proponents tout it as a solution to the city's acute housing shortage, where skyrocketing rents and a lack of supply have pushed many families to the brink. Additional features include community centers, parks, and even a potential light rail extension to improve connectivity to Manhattan and other boroughs. City officials, including Mayor Eric Adams' administration, have thrown their weight behind the project, emphasizing its potential to generate thousands of jobs during construction and inject vitality into an underutilized area.

Yet, it's the detractors who are making the loudest noise, and their concerns are multifaceted. The headline-grabbing phrase "will sink College Point" comes from a scathing report by the College Point Civic Association, which argues that the development will overwhelm the quiet, working-class neighborhood with an influx of new residents, traffic congestion, and environmental hazards. College Point, a peninsula jutting into the East River, is already hemmed in by industrial zones, the Whitestone Expressway, and limited public transit options. Residents fear that adding thousands of new households will exacerbate existing problems, turning narrow streets into gridlocked nightmares and straining schools, hospitals, and sewage systems that are already at capacity.

One of the most pressing issues is flooding. The former airport site sits in a flood-prone zone, classified by FEMA as a high-risk area susceptible to inundation during heavy rains or hurricanes. Critics point to past events like Superstorm Sandy in 2012, which devastated nearby areas, as a cautionary tale. "Building on this land is like playing Russian roulette with Mother Nature," said Maria Gonzalez, a longtime College Point resident and environmental activist. "The ground is basically a sponge—it's wetland for a reason. If they pile on concrete and high-rises, it'll just push the water into our backyards. College Point will literally sink under the weight of this misguided plan." Her sentiments are echoed by hydrologists who warn that impervious surfaces from new construction could disrupt natural drainage, leading to increased flooding risks not just for the new development but for adjacent communities.

Beyond environmental woes, there's the socioeconomic angle. College Point has long been a diverse enclave of immigrant families, small businesses, and blue-collar workers, with a median household income hovering around $70,000—modest by New York standards. The influx of upscale housing could drive up property values and rents, potentially pricing out longtime residents in a classic case of gentrification. Local business owners, like Tony Russo, who runs a family-owned deli on 20th Avenue, worry about the disruption. "We've got trucks rumbling through all day from the nearby factories. Add 5,000 more cars, and forget about it. My customers won't even be able to park," Russo told reporters. Community boards have held heated meetings, with some sessions devolving into shouting matches between supporters who see economic opportunity and opponents who decry the lack of community input.

Supporters, however, paint a rosier picture. Developers argue that the project incorporates flood-resilient design, including elevated structures, permeable pavements, and enhanced stormwater management systems. "This isn't just about building homes; it's about creating a sustainable future," said a spokesperson for the EDC. "We're committing to 30% affordable units, green spaces that preserve wetland habitats, and infrastructure upgrades like widened roads and new bus lines." Urban planning experts, such as those from the Regional Plan Association, note that New York desperately needs more housing stock, with vacancy rates at historic lows. They contend that redeveloping brownfield sites like Flushing Airport is far preferable to encroaching on protected green spaces elsewhere.

The debate has also drawn in higher-profile voices. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards has expressed cautious optimism, calling for more environmental impact studies before greenlighting the project. Meanwhile, state lawmakers are pushing for amendments to ensure that any development includes robust flood defenses and community benefits agreements. Environmental groups like the Sierra Club have launched petitions, amassing thousands of signatures to halt or modify the plan, emphasizing the site's role in biodiversity and carbon sequestration.

Historically, this isn't the first time the Flushing Airport site has been eyed for redevelopment. In the 1990s, proposals for a golf course and shopping mall fizzled amid opposition. More recently, in the 2010s, ideas for a park or nature preserve gained traction but lacked funding. The current push comes amid a broader citywide effort under Governor Kathy Hochul's housing agenda, which aims to build 500,000 new units statewide by 2030. Yet, the "sink" metaphor resonates deeply here, playing on both literal flooding fears and the figurative sinking of a community's character.

As the proposal moves through the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP), public hearings are set to intensify. Residents are mobilizing, with rallies planned outside City Hall and online campaigns flooding social media. For College Point, the stakes couldn't be higher: Will this project lift the area into prosperity, or will it submerge it in unintended consequences? Only time—and perhaps the next big storm—will tell.

The environmental implications extend further. The site's wetlands act as a natural filter for pollutants entering Flushing Bay, which feeds into the larger Long Island Sound ecosystem. Disrupting this could harm marine life, including fish populations that local anglers rely on. Birdwatchers frequent the area, spotting species like herons and egrets, and fear that construction noise and habitat loss will drive them away. Climate scientists warn that with sea levels projected to rise by up to two feet by 2050, building on such vulnerable land is shortsighted. "We're not against housing," said Dr. Elena Ramirez, a professor of urban ecology at CUNY. "But this location demands innovative approaches, like floating communities or elevated parks, not traditional high-density builds."

Economically, the project promises a boon: an estimated 10,000 construction jobs over five years, followed by permanent roles in retail and services. Tax revenues could fund local improvements, such as school renovations or park maintenance. Yet, skeptics question the affordability claims, noting that "affordable" units often target incomes well above the neighborhood average, leaving low-income families out in the cold.

In College Point's tight-knit blocks, stories abound of families who've called the area home for generations. Take the Lee family, Korean immigrants who settled here in the 1980s. "We chose this place for its peace and proximity to the water," said daughter Ji-yeon Lee. "Now, it feels like we're being squeezed out by big money interests." Similar tales from Polish, Hispanic, and Asian communities underscore a fear of cultural erosion.

As the city weighs this development, it mirrors broader tensions in urban America: the push for density versus the pull of preservation. If approved, Flushing Bay Residences could redefine Queens' waterfront. If rejected, it might preserve a slice of natural heritage but exacerbate the housing crunch. For now, College Point holds its breath, hoping it doesn't go under. (Word count: 1,248)

Read the Full New York Post Article at:
[ https://nypost.com/2025/07/30/us-news/flushing-airport-housing-plan-will-sink-college-point/ ]