Mayor Adams Bets Big on Jewel Streets: $146M Revitalization Plan Unveiled

Mayor Eric Adams announced on Tuesday the launch of a sweeping initiative designed to make the Jewel Streets neighborhood—which spans sections of Brooklyn and Queens—safer, more resilient, and affordable for its residents. This ambitious $146 million project will lay the groundwork for up to 5,000 new homes, while delivering much-needed upgrades in housing, road safety, and drainage infrastructure.

Addressing Flooding and Safety Concerns

Nicknamed “The Hole” due to its low-lying terrain, Jewel Streets has long faced hazardous streets, neglected infrastructure, and chronic flooding.

To reduce dependence on septic systems, the plan will introduce a new stormwater pump station, upgraded sanitary sewers, and a modernized drainage network.

Upgraded streets will feature sidewalks, new trees, and improved safety measures.

Additionally, the Department of Transportation, Department of Environmental Protection, and Department of Design and Construction will construct bluebelt ponds to naturally manage and filter stormwater.

The community will also benefit from new bus priority lanes and traffic-calming enhancements by DOT, especially along Linden Boulevard, a major Vision Zero corridor.

Expanding Affordable Housing and Community Facilities

Beyond transforming 17 acres of city-owned sites to add 1,400 affordable and mixed-income homes, the city plans to rezone the area to allow for a total of 3,600 new residences. The redevelopment will also include new shops, parks, and community centers.

“We are dedicating nearly $150 million to remake Jewel Streets into a safer, more affordable neighborhood, with new sewers to fight flooding, improved streets for pedestrians and cyclists, and thousands of upcoming homes,” Adams stated.

Rooted in Community Engagement

This announcement follows more than two years of community engagement that began in 2023, featuring public meetings, workshops, and neighborhood walkthroughs. Residents played a key role in shaping priorities for the plan, and local leaders said it responds to their calls for more investment.

Community leaders hailed the project as a “turning point,” showing that collaboration with city agencies can result in meaningful policy progress.

Public hearings are set to begin by late 2025, with rezoning certification likely in 2026, city officials reported. The Adams administration has indicated that the Jewel Streets Neighborhood Plan will move forward immediately.