Empire State Development and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. Announces Launch of Outreach and Engagement Process to Create Community Master Plan for Creedmoor Psychiatric Center Campus

CREEDMOOR REDEVELOPMENT INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND HERE

FIRST MEETING THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2023

Empire State Development (ESD) and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. have announced the initiation of a community engagement process for the redevelopment of the Creedmoor Psychiatric Center campus. For a century and a half, Creedmoor has had a significant presence in Eastern Queens. Now, over 50 acres of its campus will become the focus of a New York State-led community visioning and redevelopment effort. In partnership with Queens Borough President Richards, ESD will conduct a series of in-person and virtual workshops to gather input from residents and stakeholders in Eastern Queens to develop a forward-looking vision for the property. This Master Plan will serve as the foundation for future community-oriented and public realm development at the Creedmoor campus.

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, "The redevelopment of Creedmoor presents a tremendous opportunity to breathe new life into Creedmoor Psychiatric Center with community-driven ideas. Through collaboration and partnership with the community and elected officials, ESD will facilitate a Master Plan process to ensure any potential development aligns with the needs and priorities of the local community. This is a path forward with community-driven ideas that offers incredible potential for members of the community to be involved and give bold ideas and thinking to grow Creedmoor to fit the community’s needs and desires.”

Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. said, “Where some see decay and emptiness at Creedmoor, myself and others see limitless possibility and a tantalizing litany of potential investments — both on the Creedmoor campus itself and throughout Eastern Queens as a whole. The potential Creedmoor offers is vast, but the voices that must resonate loud and clear as the planning process begins are those of the families who live in the surrounding communities. I strongly encourage area residents to participate in our visioning workshops this month to ensure the Creedmoor master plan truly reflects the needs and concerns of Eastern Queens.”

Beginning Thursday, February 2, 2023, a series of community visioning workshops will be held to hear from Eastern Queens residents. Community members are encouraged to attend workshops, take advantage of online engagement tools, and sign up for the email list to receive updates, which can be found here. Community input will ensure that the Master Plan reflects the needs and desires of the community. ESD and Queens Borough President Richards encourages residents in Bellerose, Queens Village, Hollis Hills, Floral Park, Glen Oaks, Oakland Gardens, Bellerose Manor, and all the communities near Creedmoor to participate in this important initiative to help shape the future of the campus and transform it into an asset that will benefit Eastern Queens.

The Creedmoor Community Master Plan will serve as the framework that guides how New York State will redevelop areas of the Creedmoor Psychiatric Center campus in Eastern Queens. Through a comprehensive outreach and engagement process, ESD will work closely with residents, local organizations, civic groups, and elected officials to create a plan that realizes the development potential of the Creedmoor campus while ensuring compatibility with the surrounding neighborhoods. ESD would use the Master Plan as a basis for issuing requests for proposals (RFPs) for firms and community organizations to redevelop portions of the site in the coming years.

Senator Leroy Comrie said, "I'm looking forward to a robust discussion about the future of Creedmoor from all concerned stakeholders and I hope that everyone that has ideas will attend and or share them with ESD as well as all interested parties. I believe that first and foremost there should be a complete restoration of all possible mental health beds and services at the site with some additional independent living facilities and housing for our seniors. I commend Borough President Richards for bringing the community together to begin this important dialogue."

Senator Toby Ann Stavisky said, “The Empire State Development Corporation (ESD) has announced plans to create a master plan for Creedmoor. I hope the people in the community participate in this process by letting ESD know how they feel about the changes at Creedmoor and potential development.”

Assembly Member Edward C. Braunstein said, "Any proposed redevelopment of the Creedmoor site should be community-driven, and I welcome the news of visioning workshops aimed at accomplishing just that. I strongly encourage Northeast Queens residents and civic leaders to sign up and share their perspectives to help ensure that the proposed redevelopment is reflective of the vision and needs of the local community. I look forward to working with Empire State Development, Borough President Richards and my colleagues in government to meet these important goals."

Council Member Linda Lee, Chair of the Committee on Mental Health, Disabilities, and Addictions said, “For years, the land on the Creedmoor Psychiatric Campus has been neglected and underutilized. New York City currently faces a multifaceted mental health and homelessness crisis that will require conscientious planning and coordination between community partners and government at the local, state, and federal levels. Eastern Queens is also a transit desert with a dire need for investments and upgrades in its schools, transportation, and sewers, so we must ensure these issues are adequately addressed in the midst of future redevelopment. This announcement from Empire State Development and Queens Borough President Richards proves that our State is prioritizing the input of the Eastern Queens community. I will closely monitor the Creedmoor Master Plan and community workshops so that the voices of Eastern Queens residents are heard as we create a vision for the over 50 acres of land that reflects the distinct needs of the community, and serves as an asset for the growth and welfare of our neighbors.”

About Empire State Development 

Empire State Development (ESD) is New York’s chief economic development agency. The mission of ESD is to promote a vigorous and growing economy, encourage the creation of new jobs and economic opportunities, increase revenues to the State and its municipalities, and achieve stable and diversified local economies. Through the use of loans, grants, tax credits, and other forms of financial assistance, ESD strives to enhance private business investment and growth to spur job creation and support prosperous communities across New York State. ESD is also the primary administrative agency overseeing Governor Kathy Hochul’s Regional Economic Development Councils and the marketing of “I LOVE NY” the State’s iconic tourism brand. For more information on Regional Councils and Empire State Development, visit www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov and www.esd.ny.gov. 

Contact: Emily Mijatovic | [email protected] | (212) 803-3692