City Council Approves East Harlem Rezoning

A giant rezoning of the East Harlem neighborhood in Upper Manhattan will allow new development that will build or preserve nearly 4,000 affordable homes. The East Harlem Rezoning will also allow a great deal of new luxury apartment construction.

“As we work to make this city more equitable, we are building and preserving affordable housing at a record pace,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio, after the City Council approved the rezoning, the third for his Administration.

The rezoning will require new apartment developments to include affordable housing under the Mandatory Inclusionary Housing program — though some community members still worry that new luxury apartment developments will bring higher rents in the neighborhood overall.

City officials also plan to invest $178.2 million in parks and community resources — the East River Esplanade — alongside new development.

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