STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Staten Island’s North Shore may soon see exciting new housing developments at two waterfront properties that were once envisioned as major tourist attractions.
On Friday, Andrew Kimball, the President and CEO of the New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC), highlighted the agency’s vision for residential conversions at parts of the Empire Outlets and a new development at the former site planned for the New York Wheel.
As Kimball prepares for a public information session scheduled for Monday, he acknowledged that the original concept for these properties has not materialized as hoped.
The Empire Outlets, which was projected to bring throngs of tourists to Staten Island, has not achieved the success anticipated due to changing retail dynamics, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kimball noted, “We still think it’s important to have a real retail presence, but does it need to be as big as it is today?”
He emphasized that the owners of Empire Outlets, situated on government-owned land, have begun to recognize the need for transformation at the site, which includes the potential for housing, expanded commercial options, and healthcare services.
“I think they’re recognizing that two mistakes were made in the build-out there. One was in the overall amounts of retail that could be supported. And two was with the restrictive nature of the type of retail you could bring there,” Kimball articulated.
Refocusing efforts at the New York Wheel site, which was originally planned to host the world’s largest Ferris wheel, is a high priority for the EDC.
Kimball remarked, “It’s time to pull the band-aid off and reimagine that site completely.”
With its prime waterfront access and stunning views, the site presents a significant opportunity for residential development, according to Kimball.
The EDC plans to maintain part of the large garage at the Wheel site, with possibilities to repurpose it for residential use as well.
In recent years, the EDC has partnered with local leaders, including Councilmember Kamillah Hanks, to drive the North Shore Action Plan, a renewal initiative introduced by Mayor Eric Adams in 2023.
Though many elements of this plan have been in development for some time, it outlines a $400 million public investment aimed at revitalizing the North Shore waterfront.
The ambitious proposal is expected to result in the creation of over 2,400 housing units and business opportunities, generating more than 7,500 jobs and an impressive economic impact of $3.8 billion.
Recent months have witnessed numerous groundbreakings and ribbon-cutting events associated with the North Shore Action Plan, including a significant mixed-income housing development in Stapleton and the long-awaited Lighthouse Point Tower in St. George.
Local residents have long felt that the sites being discussed on Monday represent a failed revitalization effort from over a decade ago.
No definitive plans have emerged yet, but the upcoming information session will provide the community with its first opportunity to weigh in on the new direction for these two historically significant sites.
Initial proposals emphasized the goal of attracting tourists from the Staten Island Ferry, encouraging them to spend money in the local economy.
Kimball reflected on the previous vision, stating, “I think there had been a notion of going big on a retail mall that would attract not just Staten Islanders, but folks in the region. And betting big on entertainment, particularly for tourists.
With the North Shore Action Plan, we are pivoting towards focusing on what local residents would really like to see.
As the EDC prepares to share its vision with the community, it will be crucial to consider the insights and desires of the residents who will ultimately call this revitalized waterfront home.
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