Hunters Point
Federico Giustini
Prof. Tiso
Urbanism
Final Project Essay
12/13/12
Alternative Project for Hunters Point
Hunters Point is a neighborhood on the south side of Long Island city in Queens. The East River waterfront defines the neighborhood through its amazing views of the Manhattan skyline. Hunters Point’s history is mainly based on its industry that is currently not as prevalent as it once was. Several problems for hunters point exist and need to be addressed in order for the neighborhood to meet its potential as being a fulfilling area for its residents and visitors. Hunters Point’s rapidly growing population has caused high rent prices and a shortage of retail and residential districts. In addition, there is a lack of transportation and parking to meet the demand of the overwhelming amount of new residents. Furthermore, one of the neighborhood’s greatest assets of its waterfront is extremely underused. Bloomberg, mayor of New York City, has attempted to solve these problems and appease residents by rezoning the whole area and creating the Hunters Point South project, which has been successful in transitioning the neighborhood into a new era. However, there are a few minor issues with several aspects of his proposals and our alternative project address these issues, while maintaining the successful components of Bloomberg’s proposals as well.
The second minister of the Dutch Reformed Church in New Amsterdam had originally purchased Hunters Point. When the British came, in 1664, it became a part of the Town of Newton and later passed into the hand of the family of a British sea captain, George Hunter. In 1825, the name of the estate was changed to Hunters Point. The transition from a rural to an urban community began in 1861 as the Long Island Railroad was forced by local protest to move its principal terminus from Atlantic Ave to Hunters Point. After Hunters Point turned into an urban community, the area became a highly industrialized area. In 1870, the
Prof. Tiso
Urbanism
Final Project Essay
12/13/12
Alternative Project for Hunters Point
Hunters Point is a neighborhood on the south side of Long Island city in Queens. The East River waterfront defines the neighborhood through its amazing views of the Manhattan skyline. Hunters Point’s history is mainly based on its industry that is currently not as prevalent as it once was. Several problems for hunters point exist and need to be addressed in order for the neighborhood to meet its potential as being a fulfilling area for its residents and visitors. Hunters Point’s rapidly growing population has caused high rent prices and a shortage of retail and residential districts. In addition, there is a lack of transportation and parking to meet the demand of the overwhelming amount of new residents. Furthermore, one of the neighborhood’s greatest assets of its waterfront is extremely underused. Bloomberg, mayor of New York City, has attempted to solve these problems and appease residents by rezoning the whole area and creating the Hunters Point South project, which has been successful in transitioning the neighborhood into a new era. However, there are a few minor issues with several aspects of his proposals and our alternative project address these issues, while maintaining the successful components of Bloomberg’s proposals as well.
The second minister of the Dutch Reformed Church in New Amsterdam had originally purchased Hunters Point. When the British came, in 1664, it became a part of the Town of Newton and later passed into the hand of the family of a British sea captain, George Hunter. In 1825, the name of the estate was changed to Hunters Point. The transition from a rural to an urban community began in 1861 as the Long Island Railroad was forced by local protest to move its principal terminus from Atlantic Ave to Hunters Point. After Hunters Point turned into an urban community, the area became a highly industrialized area. In 1870, the
Cited: 1. "Greater Astoria Historical Society - Neighborhoods." Greater Astoria Historical Society - Neighborhoods. Greater Astoria Historical Society, n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2012. 2. "Hunter 's Point South." NYCEDC. New York City Economic Development Corporation, n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2012. 3. "Hunters Point Subdistrict Rezoning - New York City Department of City Planning." Hunters Point Subdistrict Rezoning - New York City Department of City Planning. NYC Department of Planning, n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2012. 4. Kazis, Noahe. "Streetsblog New York City." Questions Remain for Hunter’s Point South Transpo Plan. Street Blog, n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2012. 5. "The Real Deal New York." RSS. The Real Deal Real Estate, n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2012.