Where others saw only wetlands, our clients saw transformative possibility.
Since 1984, the former Flushing Airport site in Queens, New York lay dormant – 80 acres of wetlands and unrealized potential. Cirrus Workforce Housing and LCOR envisioned something different: a mixed-use community delivering urgently needed housing while preserving open space and ecological character.
We stood at the center of making that vision real, representing the Cirrus-LCOR joint venture in a highly competitive RFP process run by the New York City Economic Development Corporation. Led by
Ross Moskowitz and
John Egnatios-Beene, with support from
Karen Scanna, our team structured the joint venture, guided our clients through the bid, and navigated complex issues spanning:
- Stakeholder negotiations
- Land use and wetlands preservation
- Environmental regulations and community opposition
From the outset, we also shaped the legal and commercial framework that allowed Cirrus and LCOR to secure the site and unlock the first workforce housing development in decades to combine union labor with union pension investment in New York City.
Creation. Preservation. Impact.
“This project is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to turn underutilized public land into urgently needed housing for middle-income New Yorkers, while also preserving the ecological character of the site,” said Moskowitz.
The Cirrus-LCOR redevelopment will:
- Create 3,000 residential units ranging from deeply affordable to market rate, with a focus on middle-income New Yorkers.
- Preserve 60 acres of wetlands and open space, safeguarded through sustainable infrastructure design.
- Generate US$3.2 billion in economic activity, creating more than 1,300 union construction jobs and 530 permanent jobs.
Connecting vision with reality.
By aligning legal precision with community priorities – and building trust with city leadership – we made this transformative venture possible. New York City Mayor Eric Adams praised the development as a cornerstone of his administration’s “Housing Week” initiative, saying: “This first-of-its-kind agreement will help build housing that is affordable for the New Yorkers who have built our city and help New York City lead on the affordable housing crisis facing our nation.”
Through sharp legal strategy and deep sector knowledge, we positioned Cirrus and LCOR to shape the future of housing in New York City – ensuring their vision thrives in one of the city’s most high-profile development projects.
Clarity. Solutions. Impact. Delivered at every step.
.jpg)
