In the last seven years, the city has rezoned large areas of industrially zoned areas to make room for residential development. Yet, as early as in 2001, the MAS and the Pratt Center for Community Development released an oft-cited study “Making it in New York: The Manufacturing Land Use and Zoning Initiative“, that raised concerns about the continued loss of land dedicated to manufacturing and industry.

While the city may have lost traditional manufacturing jobs, current policy does not adequately plan for the growth of new job creation in emerging industries, such as in the green technology or manufacturing activities related to arts and entertainment. In its advocacy, MAS aims to retain space for industrial uses, as well as promote the growth of manufacturing compatible with residential uses by creating special zoning districts that permanently protect high performing industrial activities.

To read MAS comments on the Willets Point Development Plan Generic Environmental Impact Statement Draft Scope of Work from May 2007, click here, and to read MAS comments on Willets Point Development Plan Draft Environmental Impact Statement from August 2008, click here.