NYC Pols Cheer Midtown South Rezoning; Plan Could Create Nearly 10,000 New Housing Units

NEW YORK—On Aug. 14, New York City Council approved the Midtown South Mixed-Use Plan, the largest residential neighborhood rezoning plan in two decades that could create nearly 10,000 new housing units.

The MSMX plan includes more than $448 million in community and infrastructure investments for the Midtown South area. The council also voted to pass legislation that would remove barriers to supportive housing.

“To confront the citywide housing and affordability crisis, our city must build more homes and invest in housing solutions that allow generations of New Yorkers to remain in this city,” said Speaker Adrienne Adams. “The Council is proud to approve the historic Midtown South Mixed-Use Plan, as well as other housing projects, that will deliver over 10,000 new homes. The Midtown South Mixed-Use Plan will also invest nearly $488 million to preserve and support our city’s Garment District industries and help meet the needs of the surrounding communities.”

Additionally, by mapping Mandatory Inclusionary Housing (MIH) onto the neighborhood for the first time and requiring new developments to include affordable housing, the final plan ensures that up to 2,800 of the new homes will be permanently affordable as well. Alongside new housing, the plan also invests in local infrastructure and amenities, including the completion of the transformative Broadway Vision Plan, a 34th Street busway, $13.5 million for a full renovation of McCaffrey Playground, and more.

The MSMX plan will also support the garment and fashion industries with a $50-million investment to develop permanent space for the industry and will also launch a new campaign to elevate local designers, manufacturers, and creative entrepreneurs. With this plan’s approval, the Adams administration has now reached a milestone of 100,000 new homes through city-led rezonings or text amendments, including Mayor Adams’ signature “City of Yes for Housing Opportunity” proposal. In total, the Adams administration has already created, preserved, or planned over 426,000 homes for New Yorkers through its efforts to date.

“Midtown South is home to some of our city’s most iconic parks, buildings, and businesses, but for too long, outdated zoning has stopped it from actually being a home for many New Yorkers. Today, we are changing that as we create a more affordable Manhattan where families can live, work, and play,” said Mayor Eric Adams. “Between the homes we’ve already built, our neighborhood plans, and our historic ‘City of Yes’ initiative, our administration has already created, preserved, or planned over 426,000 new homes for New Yorkers, reinforcing, once again, that we are the most pro-housing administration in city history.”

The passage of the Midtown South rezoning by the City Council also drew praise from the Regional Plan Association. Moses Gates, Vice President, Housing & Neighborhood Planning, at RPA, stated: “RPA celebrates the pass of the Midtown South Mixed-Use plan, which is projected to unlock up to 9,500 new homes. The neighborhood is within walking distance of virtually every major subway line, the busiest bus and rail stations in the country, and the largest jobs hub in the western hemisphere. Rezoning this area for more mixed-income housing and dedicated transit, while also investing in preserving the existing industries is exactly the right approach.”