Community hopes the proposed Sunnyside Yard mega-development includes affordable housing, shops

Sunnyside Yard, site of a proposed real estate mega-development, is approximately six times the size of Manhattan’s Hudson Yards, a housing and commercial complex that opened last year. Eagle photos by Jonathan Sperling.

By Jonathan Sperling

Less than one mile away from the heart of Sunnyside —  the Western Queens neighborhood marked by its diverse immigrant population, small businesses and close-knit community — sits the site of a potential mega-development, six times the size of Hudson Yards.

Sunnyside Yard, the busy 180-acre train yard nestled between Sunnyside and Long Island City, functions as a train storage yard and maintenance hub for Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor, New Jersey Transit and Long Island Rail Road. For generations, the city — and real estate developers — have had even bigger plans for the location.

On Monday night, the city hosted its third public meeting for the Sunnyside Yard Master Plan, which could elevate the yard from a sprawling network of train tracks to brand new neighborhood, complete with housing, transportation and shops. The city held its first public meeting regarding the plan in October 2018.

Ahead of the meeting, some community members told the Eagle that they were not aware of the massive redevelopment plan, though they were familiar with the train tracks at Sunnyside Yard, impossible to miss from the No. 7 train that rumbles overhead.

“I don't know about it,” said Steven Patel, a Jackson Heights resident and student at CUNY LaGuardia Community College, just blocks from the yard. “I feel that it's good that they're redeveloping it — I would like to see more shops.”

Sunnyside residents say the Sunnyside Yard mega development should include affordable housing and shopping. The site is sandwiched between Sunnyside and Long Island City and sits below the No. 7 train tracks.

Those that did know about the redevelopment plan also told the Eagle that they hoped that it would include more shopping options, as well as affordable housing.

“It would be nice to see an affordable housing development,” said Annmarie, a Sunnyside resident who opted not to give her last name. “Transit and supermarkets, too, since the nearest mall is 25 minutes by bus.”

Local lawmakers have suggested a Long Island Rail Road station be built at Sunnyside Yard as part of the MTA’s East Side Access project. The Queens Center Mall in Elmhurst is 20-30 minutes from Sunnyside by bus and subway.

“I'd like to see affordable housing,” said Maureen, a Sunnyside resident who also opted not to give her last name. 

See Wednesday's edition of the Eagle for full coverage of the third Master Plan meeting.