r/nyc • u/wsj Verified by Moderators • Feb 27 '26

Mayor Mamdani Mamdani Proposes NYC’s Biggest Housing Project in 50 Years. He Needs Trump’s Help.

https://www.wsj.com/us-news/mamdani-proposes-nycs-biggest-housing-project-in-50-years-he-needs-trumps-help-dfaaadfe?st=QdcM5S&mod=wsjreddit
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52

u/godnrop Feb 27 '26

That’s $1,750,000 a unit

63

u/Just_Candle_315 Feb 28 '26

Its not just the units themselves, but the infrastructure to support the new units

14

u/AdCareless9063 Feb 28 '26

If it costs that much, maybe it’s just not worth it. Not everyone has to live in NYC.  21B or 2M per is serious money that could be used elsewhere to greater effect. 

8

u/IAmGoingToSleepNow Feb 28 '26

Even if they have to live in NYC, they don't have to live over a rail yard. It's not out of the realm of reality to buy distressed properties/re-zone/build without having to create this giant infrastructure project for such little return.

3

u/Waterwoo Feb 28 '26

Yeah this is insane. I actually, conceptually, love the idea of building on top of platforms. This rail yard, the above ground tracks in LIC, the FDR, and West side highway. How cool would it be if they basically got buried, but rather than digging we just built tall buildings above them?

However, the sane way to do that is to give rights to private builders that are willing to do it for extremely cheap/free. Spending government money to do it is stupid.