Midtown Rezoning Plan Enters Public Review, Could Create Close to 10,000 New Housing Units
The plan, which would encompass 42 blocks that are currently zoned to prevent residential construction, has entered public review. Of the 9,700 intended new units, 2,300 would be permanently income-restricted.
| 24 Jan 2025 | 05:24
A rendering of the proposed Midtown South Mixed-Use Plan, which would rezone 42 blocks in the middle of Manhattan. It would create nearly 10,000 new housing units, 2,300 of which would be permanently income-restricted. (
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A sweeping overhaul to city zoning laws could end up introducing nearly 10,000 new housing units into a portion of midtown that currently bars such units.
After the “City of Yes” rezoning plan passed the New York City Council, Mayor Eric Adams and the City Planning Commission are dead-set on using its provisions to create roughly 10,000 new units of housing throughout 42 blocks spanning Midtown South. A total of 2,300 of these would be permanently income-restricted, or deemed affordable.
City Hall says that the Midtown South Mixed-Use Plan–as its formally known–would promote “a mix of residential, manufacturing, and commercial uses” in the new special district. It has now entered a period of public review. It will also reportedly make use of other measures passed in the 2024 state budget, such as tax incentives for multifamily rental construction and office-to-residential conversions, as well as expanding floor-to-area ratio caps to promote housing density. A pilot program that would legalize and “make safe” basement apartments would reportedly be utilized as well.
“In Midtown South, we are building the neighborhoods of tomorrow with vibrant 24/7 space, affordable housing, and inclusive, dynamic public realm opportunities,” Mayor Adams said in a statement.
“We envision for Midtown South a vibrant and dynamic, 24-7 neighborhood with a strong commercial core right alongside brand-new homes for New Yorkers, and we need to change our outdated zoning rules to make it all happen,” City Planning Commissioner Dan Garodnick said. “We developed this plan in partnership with elected officials and community members and we hope they will continue to make their voices heard as public review now gets underway.”
The plan encompasses four “distinct areas” that pivot around Herald Square and Greeley Square, city officials say. It would specifically be situated between W. 40th St. and W. 23rd St. from north to south, and 8th Ave. and 5th Ave. from west to east. City Councilmembers Erik Bottcher and Keith Powers, key representatives of the districts that the rezoning would affect, have offered their support to the plan.
“The Midtown South Mixed-Use Plan is the next step in realizing the dream of a neighborhood designed for everyone. This plan will unlock badly needed housing in an area that historically hasn’t allowed it, transforming Midtown into a vibrant live-work neighborhood humming with activity,” Powers said in a statement.
The public oversight period will involve a seventh-month Uniform Land-Use Review Procedure, which will include input from community boards and Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine. There will then be hearings and votes held on the zoning plan at the New York City Council. Levine, for what it is worth, seems to already be leaning towards throwing his support behind the plan.
“I’m excited to see a proposal that will guarantee new affordable housing production and spur public realm improvements while encouraging a more 24/7, mixed-use neighborhood,” Levine said in a statement of his own. He also encouraged Manhattan residents to participate in the review process.
The “mixed-use” aspect of the zoning plan is key. In addition to the promised boom in housing production, it would allow for uses such as light manufacturing and retail, not to mention community spaces such as libraries or schools.