You are reading

Politicians challenge Astoria Cove: Claim $2,700 for a 1brm is not ‘affordable’

01-astoria-queens-cove-development-nyc-studiov-architecture-archpaper

Oct. 21, 2014 By Michael Florio

The rent for a one-bedroom may be as high as $2,700; a 2 bedroom $3,200.

These are some of the prices that are deemed “affordable” as part of the 1,700-unit mega development called Astoria Cove. The developer Alma Realty is setting aside 20% of its units as so-called “affordable” apartments.

The rental prices (see chart below) and the number of units deemed affordable have become extremely contentious—despite the City Planning Commission approving these rental figures and the percentage of “affordable” units last month.

Alma Realty, which is also facing a barrage of criticism for its rental tactics in Brooklyn, just needs the approval of the city council before it can proceed. As part of that process there was a council subcommittee meeting held Monday that addressed many of these concerns.

Astoria’s Councilman Costa Constantinides told the subcommittee that he had serious concerns about the project. He said that the average household income in Astoria is currently $56,000 per year, or about 74 percent AMI (Area Median Income).

“Astoria Cove has to have real affordability that is within reach to every Astorian,” he said. “Until Astoria Cove is made affordable for actual Astorians, I cannot support the project.”

Under the proposal, affordable covers households that earn up to 175% of the AMI. Therefore an individual earning up to $103,000 would be eligible for an “affordable” studio– at a cost of about $2,500 per month. Furthermore, an individual earning up to 125% of the AMI (or $73,500) would be eligible for an “affordable” studio at $1,800.

City Comptroller Scott Stringer, who testified before the subcommittee, said the affordable units were too expensive.

“This [$2,700 for a one bedroom] is higher than the average market rate rents for Astoria and nearly two times higher than the rest of Queens,” he said in his testimony to the subcommittee.

“The bottom line is that $2,700 for a one-bedroom apartment is not affordable,” he added.

Alma Realty also faced criticism as to how many of the units were set aside as “affordable.”

Costa Constantinides

Costa Constantinides

To date, Community Board 1 and Queens Borough President Melinda Katz have recommended that the project be voted down unless more affordable units are included. Constantinides is also calling for more units and said that he is working with the developer.

Alma Realty’s history as a landlord was also brought into question.

Stringer said Alma is currently attempting to substitute 700 rent stabilized leases at a Crown Heights housing complex for market rate leases.

Elected officials including Stringer, Councilwoman Laurie Cumbo and Assemblyman Walter Mosley held a rally Sunday with the tenants in an attempt to keep the rents stabilized.

Cumbo, whose district covers Crown Heights, said Sunday that she plans to find 26 other council members to vote to down the Astoria Cove project.

Constantindes raised other concerns at the committee meeting. He said the mega-development would place a great burden on the transit network.

“This problem will not be solved by simply running shuttle buses to local train stations,” he said. “If this plan is to work, it must include transit upgrades and new options such as ferry service that can benefit current and future residents of the peninsula alike.”

After yesterday’s meeting, Constantinides said he would continue to work with Alma Realty to ensure that it is beneficial to the community.

“As the process moves toward our November vote, we will work with the developer to provide ample affordable housing, good jobs… and dramatically increase public transportation options.”

Astoria Cove Rent Worksheet

email the author: [email protected]

One Comment

Click for Comments 

Leave a Comment
Reply to this Comment

All comments are subject to moderation before being posted.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Recent News

Manhattan bouncer charged in New Year’s Day fatal stabbing in Elmhurst: NYPD

A Manhattan man was arrested on Saturday and charged in the fatal stabbing of an East Elmhurst man during the early morning hours of New Year’s Day in what notably became the city’s first homicide of 2024.

Torrence Holmes, 35, of St. Nicholas Place in Hamilton Heights, was taken into custody at his home and transported back to Queens, where he was booked at the 110th Precinct in Elmhurst on manslaughter and other charges on Saturday afternoon.

After surge of traffic violence, Queens leaders demand safer streets especially for children

Following a tragic week on Queens streets where three pedestrians — 43-year-old Natalia Garcia-Valencia, 58-year-old Elisa Bellere and 8-year-old Bayrron Palomino Arroyo — were fatally struck by unsafe drivers, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards announced that he has allocated $1.5 million in capital funding for street safety improvements on three of the borough’s most dangerous roadways.

Richards made the announcement at 82nd Street and Astoria Boulevard in East Elmhurst on Monday morning, about a mile from where the 8-year-old boy was struck and killed by an impatient pickup truck driver from Flushing on Mar. 13 as he walked in the crosswalk at 31st Avenue and 101st Street with him mother and brother, who was injured.