Cirrus-LCOR alliance, aiming for Atlantic Yards, gets momentum, awarded rights by city to develop former Flushing Airport site

Yesterday, funding company Cirrus and developer LCOR--the collaboration expected to lead a joint venture to develop most if not all the rest of the Atlantic Yards site--got a big boost from New York City.

The press release, Most Pro-Housing Administration in City History: Mayor Adams, NYCEDC Kick Off Housing Week by Unveiling Ambitious Plan to Transform Former Flushing Airport Into 3,000 New Homes announced a " sweeping proposal to build approximately 3,000 homes and 60 acres of public space on the site of the former Flushing Airport in College Point, Queens.

"The development — led by New York City-based firms Cirrus Workforce Housing and LCOR Incorporated — is projected to generate $3.2 billion in economic activity over the next 30 years, creating over 1,300 union constructions job and 530 permanent career," it states.

While there was a competitive RFP process, its not unlikely Cirrus--which signed a "historic partnership" with labor unions and their pension funds to develop workforce housing, announced last year by Mayor Eric Adams--had an advantage, as noted by the Real Deal.

It's unclear whether the RFP response required payment for the city-owned property.

The announcement did not come with a timetable, though construction is supposed to start in 2028.

Nor did it specify the affordability of the homes aimed at "working middle class New Yorkers,” to quote Joseph McDonnell, managing partner, Cirrus Workforce Housing. (Kathryn Brenzel of The Real Deal said "a general range for the AMIs, 30-110 percent," was alluded to, but that's not a full configuration.)

Earlier this year, Cirrus--without, so far, LCOR--was part of announcement by Resorts World NYC to build "up to 50,000 units" of workforce housing, a goal that left a lot of wiggle room.

Cirrus does not have the same advantage with Atlantic Yards, because it's a state project, but Gov. Kathy Hochul surely wants to cement union support. 

Were Adams to win re-election, or were Andrew Cuomo (unlikely) to win, they would cement alliances with Cirrus and the trade unions. Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani's posture is less clear.

More details

From yesterday's press release:

The former Flushing Airport has not been active since the airport was decommissioned in 1984 and has largely reverted to nature. Cirrus-LCOR’s proposal will utilize sustainable design elements, including a commitment to explore the use of mass timber construction and high-quality park-like landscaping that is accessible to the public and sensitively integrates the buildings into a modern wetlands environment with nature walks, sitting areas, rambles, natural open space vistas, and wildlife habitat. Lastly, Cirrus and LCOR have committed to build and operate the development with 100 percent union labor.

Aerial rendering of the proposed project. Credit: S9 Architecture

Among those speaking at the press conference were Mayor Eric Adams, Cirrus's McDonnell, Gary LaBarbera of the Building and Construction Trades Council, and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards. 

The press release contains supportive quotes from a host of labor union representatives:

• Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association President Patrick Hendry
• Paul Capurso, executive secretary-treasurer, New York City District Council of Carpenter
• Robert Bartels Jr., business manager, Enterprise Association of UA Steamfitters Local 638
• Joseph Azzopardi, business manager and secretary treasurer, District Council 9 of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades
• Thomas Gesualdi, president, Teamster Local 282. 
• Eric Meslin, president and business manager, Sheet Metal Workers Local #28
• Joesph [sic] Nolan, business manager, Ironworkers Local 580
• John Jovic, business manager, International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers Local Union #12
• Lenny Legotte, Business Manager of the International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC) Local One
• William Hill, president, BAC Local 7 Tile Marble Terrazzo of NY/NJ
• Bobby Eustace, vice president, Uniformed Firefighters Association of Greater New York
• Stuart Appelbaum, president, Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union
• Mike Hellstrom, vice president and eastern region manager, Laborers International Union of North America