NYCEDC, Councilmember Hanks Unveil New Vision to Reimagine Empire Outlets and Former NY Wheel Site on Staten Island’s North Shore

Community Vision Report Outlines New Direction to Create a Vibrant, Mixed-Use Waterfront Neighborhood Near the Ferry Terminal With up to 2,500 New Homes, Open Space, Community Facilities and Retail Options for Staten Islanders

Vision Grounded in Public Engagement with Over 1,000 North Shore Residents and Community Members on How to Reimagine Empire Outlets and Former New York Wheel Site

Click for New Renderings of North Shore Waterfront

STATEN ISLAND, NY—New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) President & CEO Andrew Kimball and New York City Councilmember Kamillah Hanks today, with the support of Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella, unveiled a new vision for the future of two key sites on Staten Island’s North Shore: Empire Outlets and the former New York Wheel site. Over the past five months, NYCEDC has conducted wide-ranging public engagement to shape a vision that delivers for all Staten Islanders.

North Shore residents and community members have shared their input on a reimagined vision for the future of these sites through extensive engagement at community events. Stakeholders have agreed on the need to pivot away from the City’s previous tourism and entertainment-focused plan to deliver a vibrant, mixed-use neighborhood for Staten Islanders. The City is now taking a fresh approach, with Staten Islanders at the center, to create a waterfront with up to 2,500 additional new homes—serving a range of income levels and life stages—expanded public open space, and neighborhood-serving retail options and community space that better serve residents. Staten Island's North Shore is a key component in the Harbor of the Future initiative, tapping into the city's waterways and waterfront assets to deliver a modern, sustainable economy for all New Yorkers.

This new vision will build upon the success of the Staten Island North Shore Action Plan, unveiled in 2023 by Mayor Eric Adams, NYCEDC, Councilmember Hanks, and Borough President Fossella, providing a generational $400 million investment from the City to deliver 2,400 new homes, more than 20 acres of public space, and over 7,500 family-sustaining jobs, generating an estimated $3.8 billion in economic impact over the next 30 years. Over the last two years, over 10 milestones have been achieved, including the opening of the Residences at Lighthouse Point with 115 mixed-income housing units, the selection of a developer for the city’s largest mass timber residential development in Stapleton, the return of concessions aboard the Staten Island Ferry with Dunkin, breaking ground on a new six-acre park at New Stapleton Waterfront, and the start of construction at the Tompkinsville Esplanade. NYCEDC has also kicked off the design process for a reimagined Pier 1 and North Shore Esplanade: St. George (the area of esplanade in front of the former New York Wheel site). Both projects will reestablish public access to two key waterfront open spaces for the community.

“From Tompkinsville to St. George, the North Shore is the beating heart of Staten Island. With the bold new vision we’re unveiling today, we’ll bring thousands of new homes, vibrant public space, and bustling storefronts to the area. We’ll help bolster this dynamic, multicultural neighborhood for the decades to come,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “But our administration is not stopping at Staten Island. We’re advancing ambitious plans for hundreds of thousands of new homes across all five boroughs to create a more affordable city where working-class New Yorkers can live, work, and raise a family.”

“This vision is proof of what happens when government listens closely and acts with purpose,” said Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development, and Workforce Adolfo Carrión Jr. “Staten Islanders told us they want housing, community space, and a waterfront they can actually use, and today we’re responding with a roadmap shaped by their voices. Together, we are setting the stage for a vibrant and connected community that supports families and strengthens the North Shore for generations to come.”

“Building on the significant progress achieved through the Staten Island North Shore Action Plan over the past two years, NYCEDC and the City recognized the need for a fresh approach to Empire Outlets and the former New York Wheel site, one that puts Staten Islanders first,” said NYCEDC President & CEO Andrew Kimball. “After months of meaningful engagement with the North Shore community, we are proud to unveil a new vision for a vibrant, mixed-use waterfront neighborhood, with new homes, open space, and retail just steps from the ferry.”

“Today marks a major turning point for Staten Island’s North Shore. After more than a decade of false starts at the Wheel and Empire Outlets sites, this new vision plan finally reflects what Staten Islanders have been asking for: accessible waterfront parks, cultural spaces, neighborhood-serving retail, good jobs close to home, and real homes for families,” said NYC Councilmember Kamillah Hanks. “Over the past two years, we’ve shown what happens when this community is truly prioritized—from breaking ground on new waterfront parks and delivering long-needed housing to securing a new NYC Ferry route that connects residents to the rest of the city. As the second phase of the North Shore Action Plan, this vision represents the bold, long-overdue investment our residents deserve, with up to 2,500 new mixed-income homes and a vibrant, community-centered neighborhood on the way. I’m proud of the progress we’ve made—and even more excited for what’s ahead for Staten Island.”

“We maintain that the North Shore Waterfront, which includes the Empire Outlets and the ‘New York Wheel’ site, has tremendous potential, yet they have languished too long,” said Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella. “Let's hope this new chapter with a new focus and new direction delivers for the people of Staten Island. We will continue to work with the New York City Economic Development Corporation, Councilmember Hanks, the local community and anyone else that wants to improve our waterfront.”

In June 2025, NYCEDC and Councilmember Hanks, in close collaboration with Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella, launched a new community visioning process to re-imagine these sites. NYCEDC has since heard from over 1,000 Staten Islanders through workshops, small group discussions, community events, and a survey. This wide-ranging engagement ensures that the vision for Empire Outlets and the former New York Wheel site is driven by the diverse needs and aspirations of Staten Island’s North Shore community.

Throughout the engagement process to-date, North Shore residents and community members have highlighted key principles to guide redevelopment on these waterfront sites: provide housing that serves a mix of incomes and ages; expand access to the waterfront; integrate vibrant arts, culture, and entertainment spaces; prioritize the needs of young Staten Islanders; support everyday life through neighborhood-serving retail; and create better connections within Staten Island and beyond. The report outlines additional milestones that reflect the input and priorities shared by the North Shore community, including:

• Reconfiguration of NYC Ferry’s St. George route to connect the borough to Brooklyn, Wall Street, and the rest of the NYC Ferry system, with the new route implemented by the end of 2025.
• Ongoing upgrades to the Staten Island University Hospital Community Park, home of the Staten Island Ferryhawks, through 2025, to improve programming and open the door to hosting a wider range of events throughout the year.
• Advancement of the second phase of Lighthouse Point mixed-use development.
• Opening of NYC Parks’ Mary Cali Dalton Recreation Center scheduled for Spring 2026.
• Completion of Tompkinsville Esplanade Phase 1 in Spring 2028, filling a critical gap in waterfront access and restoring the long-deteriorating shoreline.
• A reimagined Pier 1 with new topside improvements will open to residents in Summer 2028.
• Development of a waterfront esplanade with bike and pedestrian connections in front of the former New York Wheel site, set to be completed in Summer 2028.

In the coming months, NYCEDC will continue to engage Staten Islanders on the future of these sites through additional community events and other focused conversations with residents. To deliver homes, shops, and services for Staten Islanders, Empire Outlets and the former New York Wheel site must be rezoned. NYCEDC will go through the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) to bring this vision to life. The environmental review process will begin in the first half of 2026, with ULURP likely starting in the second half of next year. Both processes will provide several more opportunities for public feedback on the vision and plan.

“Today’s announcement is a step forward for Staten Island’s North Shore. The plan for 2,500 new homes—including more affordable options—along with expanded public space, neighborhood retail, and community facilities will help improve quality of life and address long-standing needs for families who call the North Shore home,” said US Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis.

“With this announcement, the City is embracing a fresh, community-centered vision for the North Shore waterfront—bringing housing, public space, and amenities that truly serve residents,” said SIEDC President & CEO Mike Cusick. “SIEDC extends our thanks to Council Member Hanks and Borough President Fossella for their leadership and partnership with NYCEDC in guiding this vision, and for ensuring Staten Islanders’ voices were heard through the process. Their dedication has shaped a plan that reflects the priorities and future of the people who call this borough home.”

“This new vision for the North Shore reflects the renewed commitment we have seen from our elected officials and NYCEDC,” said Linda Baran, President and CEO of the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce. “By bringing new housing, open space, and this plan creates meaningful economic opportunity. These investments will help attract businesses, support local jobs, and build a more vibrant and connected waterfront for our community.”

Today’s announcement marks a major step forward in the Adams administration’s efforts to build the Harbor of the Future—a reimagined network of innovation and growth across New York City’s waterways. In addition to a modern maritime port and vibrant mixed-use community hub at BMT in Red Hook, the Harbor of the Future includes emerging innovation centers such as the Hunts Point Produce Market in the Bronx; the newly-announced climate innovation hub “BATWorks” at the Brooklyn Army Terminal in Sunset Park; the country’s largest offshore wind port at the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal; the Science Park and Research Campus in Kips Bay in Manhattan; new sustainable housing and public space on the North Shore of Staten Island; and an anchor research and educational partnership with the New York Climate Exchange on Governors Island.

In the two years since launching the North Shore Action Plan, several initiatives have already been advanced by NYCEDC and other agency partners including:

• In September 2023, the Tompkinsville Esplanade received its ULURP (Uniform Land Use Review Process) approval from the City Council.
• In February 2024, Mayor Adams and NYC Parks broke ground on the Mary Cali Dalton Recreation Center in Tompkinsville, the first groundbreaking for a recreation center on Staten Island in over 14 years.
• In July 2024, Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis announced $2.5 million in federal funding secured for NYCEDC to renovate the currently closed Pier 1 on the North Shore, reestablishing public access to the waterfront pier for the local community.
• In September 2024, in celebration of the Action Plan’s one-year anniversary, Mayor Adams and NYCEDC broke ground on 12 acres of interconnected public open space on the New Stapleton Waterfront.
• In December 2024, following a competitive RFP process, NYCEDC and NYC DOT announced that concessions will return to the Staten Island Ferry with Dunkin as the selected concessionaire.
• Also in December, following another competitive RFP process, HPD announced its selected developer team to convert the city-owned sanitation garage on the North Shore into affordable housing with a grocery store, community services, and world-class public open-space.
• In April 2025, Mayor Adams and NYCEDC announced the start of construction on Tompkinsville Esplanade to build two-acres of new public waterfront open space that will fill a critical gap in public waterfront access along the North Shore and restore the long- deteriorated shoreline.
• In May 2025, NYCEDC commenced the design phase on Pier 1 and the St. George Esplanade.
• Also in May, Mayor Adams and NYCEDC announced Artimus and Phoenix Realty Group as the selected developers to build over 500 new mixed-income units along the New Stapleton Waterfront, which will be the largest mass timber residential project in New York City.
• In June 2025, NYCEDC and Triangle Equities cut the ribbon on The Residences at Lighthouse Point, a mixed-income housing complex on the St. George waterfront.
• Also in June, NYCEDC and NYC Councilmember Hanks commenced public engagement to welcome North Shore community input on the revitalized future of two St. George sites.

About NYCEDC
New York City Economic Development Corporation is a mission-driven, nonprofit organization that works for a vibrant, inclusive, and globally competitive economy for all New Yorkers. We take a comprehensive approach, through four main strategies: strengthen confidence in NYC as a great place to do business; grow innovative sectors with a focus on equity; build neighborhoods as places to live, learn, work, and play; and deliver sustainable infrastructure for communities and the city's future economy. To learn more about what we do, visit us on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, and Instagram.