NYC to Use LIC Vacant Office Building as Migrant Intake Center

New York City is planning to use a vacant office building in Long Island City, Queens, as a migrant intake center. The building, Austell Place, is owned by Cannon Hill Capital Partners and was renovated in 2019. It is currently 100% vacant.

What’s been done: The city has opened more than 200 sites to accommodate more than 100,000 migrants who have arrived since April 2022. Austell Place will be the city's 16th large migrant intake center. 

More than 100 of New York's hotels have also been used to house migrants. This has given a boost to the city's hotel occupancy rate.

The area: The neighborhood where Austell Place is located, Northwest Queens, is mostly residential. The office vacancy rate in the neighborhood is 15.2%, which is higher than the city's average of 13.2%.

The issues: Mayor Eric Adams has expressed concerns about the influx of migrants, saying that it is putting a strain on the city's resources. He has said that the city is facing a $12 billion deficit and that it will have to cut spending.

The use of Austell Place as a migrant intake center is likely to be controversial. Some residents have expressed concerns about the impact it will have on the neighborhood.

The new center: The city has said that the intake center will be operated by a non-profit organization and that it will provide migrants with food, shelter, and medical care. It is unclear how long the intake center will remain in operation.