Astoria Megaproject's Demise Draws Response from Council Member
The planned $2 billion development, Innovation QNS, allowed by City Council rezoning in November 2022, faced backlash from local Council member Julie Won with a statement that made little sense.
Local Council member Julie Won released a statement regarding the demise of Innovation QNS, a planned $2 billion development in Astoria that was allowed by a City Council rezoning in November 2022. Won's statement was one part anger, one part threat, and one part "I told you so," but none of the parts seemed to make much sense to those familiar with the development process.
Won claimed that the project had "no political support," despite the fact that she herself voted in favor of it and the rezoning ultimately passed 46-1. In addition, Mayor Eric Adams and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards had both backed the project.
However, Won's statement seemed to be more of a political maneuver than a genuine concern for the community. According to sources, Won had originally supported the project, but after facing backlash from her constituents, she switched her stance and voted against the rezoning.
It's not uncommon for politicians to change their position on controversial projects in order to please their constituents, but Won's about-face seemed particularly disingenuous.
Despite Won's efforts, the project is still moving forward as planned, with developer Innovation QNS moving forward with construction. Won's statement may have caused a stir, but ultimately it had no real impact on the project's outcome.
https://therealdeal.com/new-york/2025/09/05/why-julie-won-is-wrong-about-astoria-megaprojects-demise/