Elmhurst 'high-rise' development stirs worry over gentrification in Queens

"Elmhurst's High-Rise Development Sparks Fears of Gentrification and Displacement"

A proposal to build a 13-story, 314-unit residential tower in Elmhurst has sparked fierce opposition from residents, who fear it could fuel gentrification and push out long-time Asian American families. The plan, which includes 79 affordable units, has been met with widespread skepticism by community leaders, including Queens Community Board 4 members.

The area is already experiencing a housing shortage, particularly when it comes to affordable units. However, the proposed development, which would sit at 78-01 Queens Boulevard, has raised concerns about its compatibility with the existing neighborhood character. Members of the community board voted overwhelmingly against the rezoning, citing fears that it could lead to luxury high-rises and upscale stores, pricing out small businesses and elderly residents.

"It's really, really out of character," said Brianna Cea, a member of Queens Community Board 4. "Just one high-rise development like this can pave the way for more luxury housing and high-end stores that will ultimately displace our Asian American small businesses and the elderly residents who rely on those areas."

The developer behind the proposal, Andrew Esposito, has claimed to be open to community feedback and improvements. However, many residents remain unconvinced.

"What I'm not complaining about is bettering the neighborhood because now the streets are cleaner," said Lester Lin, a lifelong resident of Elmhurst who owns several businesses in the area. "But we need to make sure that there are affordable housing options for our community members."

The City Council is set to vote on the proposal, which comes as part of a broader debate over growth and development in Queens. In nearby Jamaica, a similar rezoning plan has sparked controversy, with some residents expressing support for new developments while others fear they could push out long-time businesses.

As Elmhurst continues to grapple with these issues, local officials have emphasized the need for affordable housing options that prioritize community needs. "Elmhurst is very dense – future developments need to include community infrastructure, prioritize green space, and ensure supportive and educational spaces," said Councilmember Shekar Krishnan.

I'm worried about what's gonna happen if this high-rise gets built . Elmhurst has a lot of history, especially for Asian American families like mine. I've lived here my whole life, and it feels like the community is changing so fast. It's not just about gentrification; it's also about affordability. If these luxury apartments come in, what happens to people who can't afford 'em? My cousin's family lives just a block away, and they're already struggling to make ends meet. We need more affordable options, not just a bunch of fancy condos . It's like the city is gonna push out all the small businesses and elderly folks who make this neighborhood feel like home .

I'm really worried about this proposed high-rise development in Elmhurst... it's just not fair that they're prioritizing luxury housing over affordable units . I mean, don't get me wrong, some extra clean streets are nice and all, but what about the families who can't afford to stay in their own neighborhoods? It's like they're kicking out the Asian American small businesses and elderly residents who have been there for generations... it's just not right .

I think we need more community input and transparency from the developer and city officials. We can't just rush into new developments without considering the long-term impact on our communities . And what about those 79 affordable units? Are they really going to be enough to offset the luxury high-rises? It feels like a drop in the bucket .

As someone who's used to living in Elmhurst, I just can't imagine how frustrating it must be to see your community being pushed out by outside developers . We need more supportive and educational spaces, not just fancy high-rises and upscale stores . The city needs to prioritize our community's needs over profits .

I feel so bad for those Elmhurst residents worried about their homes and businesses being pushed out . Gentrification is a real thing, but it's not all about fancy condos and upscale stores . It's also about affordable housing options for people who've lived there for years and need a place to call home. As someone who's been around the block a few times , I think we need to make sure that any new development prioritizes community needs, like green space and supportive spaces for seniors . We can't just build stuff without thinking about how it'll affect the people who live there .

I'm not sure how much of a difference 79 affordable units are gonna make when the whole area's already in a housing shortage . I mean, yeah, it's great that the developer is open to community feedback and all that, but at the end of the day, I think there's gotta be a better way to address gentrification concerns than just tacking on some token affordable units . What about incorporating community land trusts or something? That way, long-time residents like Lester Lin can actually feel safe in their own neighborhood .

I'm worried about this project, you know? I mean, Elmhurst already feels like it's losing its vibe with all the new developments popping up everywhere . If they build more luxury high-rises, it's gonna drive up prices and make it impossible for people who actually live there to afford rent or buy a home. It's like, what's the point of having affordable housing if you can't even get in?

And I feel bad for all the small businesses that are already struggling to stay afloat. The Asian American community has been here forever, and it's not right that they're being pushed out by gentrification . It's like, we need more support for our local businesses, not more luxury condos.

I'm curious to see how the City Council votes on this one though... will they prioritize the needs of the community or just let the developer have their way?

I was saying this on another thread... like 2 months ago about Elmhurst's gentrification woes. I think the problem is that we're prioritizing profits over people here. The developer's got a good point about adding affordable units, but it's gotta be more than just lip service . We need to see concrete plans for community spaces and programs that'll actually benefit long-time residents. And let's not forget, this is Queens – we should be setting an example for the rest of NYC, not just catering to wealthy buyers . I'm hoping Councilmember Krishnan's got a solid plan in mind... fingers crossed

omg u no i live in elmhurst lol its like the only place where u can still get a decent pad for under 2k rent my aunt owns a small shop on queens blvd and shes been there since she was like 10 yrs old she's super worried that all these new high rises are gonna push her out and raise prices too much fam i feel her u gotta have some affordable options for ppl who actually need it not just the fancy folks who can afford $3k/mo btw my grandma still lives in elmhurst and shes been saying the same thing for yrs that we need more affordable housing

I'm all about preserving the vibe of neighborhoods like Elmhurst . If they wanna build more units, at least make sure there's some affordable options for the community. It's not just about throwing up a bunch of luxury high-rises and expecting people to magically fit in. Small businesses and seniors are what make these areas unique, you know?

I'm totally down for some new development in Elmhurst, but can we make sure it's not just gonna push out the people who've been living there for ages? I mean, 79 affordable units is a good start, but what if they're all just gonna be gentrified and end up being super expensive anyway? We need to make sure that these developments are creating spaces for long-time residents, not just wealthy newbies. And can we please prioritize green space and community infrastructure too? I'd love to see some innovative designs that blend in with the neighborhood vibe instead of sticking out like a sore thumb. And what's up with all the luxury high-rises and upscale stores? Can't we have some independent shops and small businesses thrive too?

I get why ppl in Elmhurst are worried about this new dev project... gentrification can be super tough for low-income & minority communities. It's like, they're already struggling to find affordable housing & small businesses r getting pushed out by luxury stores & high-rises. The 79 affordable units might not even make a dent in the problem if it just becomes another marker of wealth inequality

But at the same time, I'm like... what's wrong with some ppl wanting to upgrade their neighborhood? Cleaner streets are def a win And it sounds like the dev is open to listening to community feedback & making adjustments. Maybe they could do more affordable units or incorporate more green space & community facilities?

It just feels like this whole thing is playing out in the shadows of NYC's broader growth crisis Can we find a way to make development that benefits everyone, not just those who can afford it?

I'm getting some major vibes from this whole Elmhurst high-rise thing . I mean, on one hand, it's cool that there's a plan to build more affordable units - we definitely need that in Queens. But at the same time, I can see why the community is freaked out about gentrification and displacement . They're right to be worried that luxury high-rises and upscale stores could come in and push out small businesses and elderly residents.

I think what's really missing here is a way to balance growth with community needs. The developer seems open to feedback, which is a good start, but it's not clear how they plan to prioritize affordable housing options for the local community. We need more than just 79 units - we need a comprehensive plan that addresses the root causes of affordability in Elmhurst.

It's also worth noting that this whole thing highlights a bigger issue: density vs quality of life . Elmhurst is already super dense, but it doesn't mean that means every new development has to be a luxury high-rise. Can we find ways to build more affordable housing while still respecting the character of the neighborhood? I hope so - our communities need it

I mean, can't we just build stuff without making everyone freak out about gentrification? Like, come on, Elmhurst is a busy neighborhood with like 78-01 Queens Boulevard already congested. A 13-story tower might actually help move some of the foot traffic to other areas . And what's wrong with upscale stores and luxury high-rises anyway? They're not gonna hurt anyone (unless you're super cheap). It's just the wealthy folks moving in, but they're still paying their taxes like regular people .

But seriously, I don't think the community board members have a point about displacing Asian American small businesses. Like, those places are always struggling to make ends meet anyway . If anything, maybe we should be supporting them more with affordable housing options. Councilmember Krishnan seems like the smartest one here - let's just hope the City Council listens to her .

By the way, can we please make our forum a little less toxic? I'm getting tired of all the drama and personal attacks . Can't we just have a respectful discussion without needing emojis or shouting match alerts ?

OMG, 13-story tower in Elmhurst? Sounds like they're trying to reach new heights...literally! Can you imagine a bunch of hipster food trucks and artisanal coffee shops popping up? "Artisanal" just means overpriced . But seriously, I feel for the long-time Asian American families who might get priced out. Councilmember Shekar Krishnan is on point with prioritizing community needs. Affordable housing options are key. Maybe they can even throw in some retro arcade games and a dog park to keep the cool vibes alive

I think it's super reasonable for people in Elmhurst to be worried about this development. It's not just about the 79 affordable units, but what happens when those units get snapped up quickly? We've seen this happen in other neighborhoods before - a new high-rise pops up and suddenly you can't afford to live here anymore. I feel like the developer needs to do more than just claim they're open to community feedback . They need to put their money where their mouth is and make sure that affordable housing isn't pushed out by luxury rentals. It's all about striking a balance between growth and preserving the character of the neighborhood, you know?