January 28, 2026
The Long Island City neighborhood in Queens is about to undergo a major transformation. On November 12, 2025, the New York City Council approved the OneLIC Neighborhood Plan, a large rezoning initiative covering 54 blocks. The plan will create almost 15,000 new homes, including thousands of permanently affordable units. It will also allow new commercial development and improve public spaces. This makes the OneLIC plan one of the most significant neighborhood rezonings in NYC in over 25 years. If you are a buyer, seller, or investor, understanding the OneLIC rezoning is key to planning for the future in LIC.
OneLIC stands for the One Long Island City Neighborhood Plan. At its core, it is a rezoning plan, meaning it changes the rules for how land in Long Island City can be used. But it is much more than just rezoning. It is a comprehensive neighborhood plan that guides housing, commercial development, public spaces, and infrastructure for the next decades.
New to zoning? Check out our beginner’s guide NYC Zoning Regulations to learn how these rules affect what can be built.
OneLIC changes the rules for what can be built in LIC, making it easier to mix homes, offices, and community spaces in the same areas. The plan expands the Special Long Island City Mixed-Use District, removes MX-9, and creates a new City Planning Commission authorization for the LIC Core + Queens Plaza subarea. Developers can build bigger projects if they include public open spaces, like small parks or plazas, or new school facilities. This also opens up three city-owned sites near Anable Basin for redevelopment, which could become new housing, offices, or creative spaces. These zoning changes aim to keep LIC lively, diverse, and adaptable for future growth.
OneLIC puts a big focus on keeping housing affordable as the neighborhood grows. Through Mandatory Inclusionary Housing, between 20 and 30 percent of new homes must be permanently affordable. This means that when new buildings go up, a portion is reserved for people who earn low to moderate incomes. The plan also adds support programs for tenants and homeowners, helping them stay in their homes and avoid displacement. Over time, the plan aims for about 14,700 new homes, with roughly 4,350 permanently affordable units. These measures make sure LIC grows without pricing out long-term residents.
For more on how City reform policies like MIH and “City of Yes” influence housing outcomes, see How NYC’s City of Yes Zoning Reforms May Reshape Real Estate.
The plan also creates room for businesses to grow and add jobs. OneLIC allows offices, light industrial operations, and community facilities alongside housing. This means artists, tech companies, and small manufacturers can continue operating in LIC while new residential buildings are added nearby. The plan is expected to generate more than 14,000 new jobs, giving residents opportunities close to home and supporting local businesses. It also includes programs to help workers and creative industries stay and thrive in the neighborhood.
OneLIC improves public access to the East River waterfront. The Northern Hunters Point Waterfront Access Plan has been updated to make the shoreline more connected, resilient, and open to the public, stretching from Gantry Plaza State Park to Queensbridge Park. New open spaces and recreational areas will make it easier for residents to walk, play, and enjoy the waterfront. Additional access points and upgraded pathways will turn the riverfront into a true community space rather than a disconnected edge of the neighborhood.
To support the growing population and new developments, OneLIC invests in streets, utilities, and transit. The city is funding improvements to flood protection, upgrading water and electrical systems, and making pedestrian and bike routes safer and more accessible. Public transit access is also improved, and streetscapes are upgraded with better lighting and public amenities. These upgrades make LIC easier to navigate and help the neighborhood handle new residents and businesses.
OneLIC invests in schools, housing, and community facilities to support both current and future residents. The plan adds 1,300 new school seats, including two elementary schools, a middle school, and a new home for the Bilingual School for Global Education, ensuring growing families have access to classrooms nearby. It also upgrades existing public housing, including nearly 675 units at Queensbridge Houses, with improvements to plumbing, elevators, playgrounds, and interior lighting, while funding infrastructure projects like sewer and stormwater upgrades to make the neighborhood more resilient.
Disclaimer: This content is meant for informational purposes only and is not intended to be construed as financial, tax, legal, or insurance advice.
