Aerial rendering of Staten Island North Shore with tall buildings, boats and ferries on the water, green spaces, and dense trees in the background. Credit: FXCollaborative.
Waterfront Neighborhood Planning

Empire Outlets and the Former New York Wheel Site

Location: Staten Island
Project Status: Ongoing

A Fresh Approach for Two Key Sites on Staten Island’s North Shore

New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) and Council Member Kamillah Hanks, with the support of Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella, have unveiled a new vision for the future of Empire Outlets and the former New York Wheel Site.

In June 2025, NYCEDC began a new planning process to shape the future of these two important City-owned sites near the St. George Ferry Terminal. This new vision builds on the City’s recent work through the Staten Island North Shore Action Plan, which outlined a vision for a vibrant, mixed-income waterfront with expanded public waterfront access, infrastructure, housing, retail, and community spaces across the North Shore.

Two key City-owned sites on the North Shore can be re-imagined to better serve Staten Islanders.

New Vision for Two North Shore Sites

Rethinking Empire Outlets and the former New York Wheel site can deliver the ingredients for a more successful neighborhood: new homes, shops, public space, and services.

Read the Report

Community Engagement

Since June 2025, NYCEDC has heard from over 1,000 Staten Islanders through workshops, small group discussions, conversations with youth, community events, and a survey.

We want to thank the community for the overwhelming engagement we received through our online survey. Read the compiled responses.

01
9
By The Numbers
1K+

Staten Islanders engaged

A large group of people sit on folding chairs facing a stage and screen in a spacious indoor venue, attending a presentation or meeting. The room has high ceilings and fluorescent lighting.
By The Numbers
2K+

comments received at in-person events

Four people stand by a table with documents and markers, looking at large charts and photos displayed on easels outdoors in a leafy park setting.
By The Numbers
400

participants across two public workshops

A person sits at an NYC EDC information table on a waterfront promenade with display boards behind them. The sky is blue with scattered clouds, and the city skyline is visible in the distance.
By The Numbers
300+

survey responses to date

A diverse group of people stands in a semi-circle on a cobblestone plaza near a waterfront, listening to a speaker. There are trees, a brick building, and construction cranes in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
By The Numbers
130+

students and teenagers engaged

By The Numbers
1K+

Staten Islanders engaged

Four people stand by a table with documents and markers, looking at large charts and photos displayed on easels outdoors in a leafy park setting.
By The Numbers
300+

survey responses to date

A large group of people sit on folding chairs facing a stage and screen in a spacious indoor venue, attending a presentation or meeting. The room has high ceilings and fluorescent lighting.
By The Numbers
400

participants across two public workshops

A diverse group of people stands in a semi-circle on a cobblestone plaza near a waterfront, listening to a speaker. There are trees, a brick building, and construction cranes in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
By The Numbers
2K+

comments received at in-person events

A person sits at an NYC EDC information table on a waterfront promenade with display boards behind them. The sky is blue with scattered clouds, and the city skyline is visible in the distance.
By The Numbers
130+

students and teenagers engaged

Looking Ahead

Throughout 2026, NYCEDC will continue to engage Staten Islanders on the future of these sites. To deliver homes, shops, and services for Staten Islanders, the sites must be rezoned. The immediate next step is for the City to build out the development and urban design framework for these sites and start the environmental review process, which will include several additional opportunities for engagement.

2026-2030 Projected Timeline

  • 2026:
    • Ongoing Engagement
    • Developing Zoning Framework
    • Begin Environmental Review
    • Begin ULURP
  • 2027: Completion of ULURP
  • 2027-2028: Anticipated developer selection
  • 2029-2030: Design and begin construction of first phase

Unveiling the New Vision

On November 19, 2025, NYCEDC along with Councilmember Kamillah Hanks and Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella unveiled the new vision for the two key sites.

Read the Press Release

Community Engagement in Pictures

A group of people stand around a table covered with colorful sticky notes and papers, actively discussing ideas in a large, bright room with rows of empty chairs in the background.
01 09

Public Workshop #2 – September 9, 2025

Key Documents
To access, click on the + button to view more.
  • Online Survey Results: A New Vision for Empire Outlets and the Former NY Wheel Site January 2026
  • 2026 North Shore Update January 2026
  • The Future of the Waterfront Public Workshop #2 September 25, 2025
    English Spanish
  • The Future of the Waterfront Public Workshop #1 June 16, 2025
    English Spanish

Have Questions?

If you have any questions or would like more information about Staten Island’s North Shore Waterfront, please reach out.

Have Questions?

Contact: [email protected]

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