"The rezoning of 10 blocks of St. George developed by the Department of City Planning and unanimously passed today by the City Council will foster the sustainable growth of this important gateway to Staten Island. The plan will build on St. George’s existing strengths - as a civic center, a neighborhood and a transit hub - and will help foster a thriving, pedestrian-friendly, business and residence district on the waterfront. It facilitates continuous ground floor retail and the critical mass needed to attract a broader mix of uses, and it will maintain waterfront vistas. It also encourages the reuse of vacant office buildings by allowing them to be converted for residential uses so that empty spaces in the heart of the neighborhood can be occupied.

"We appreciate the efforts of Council Member Michael McMahon, Borough President James Molinaro and City Planning Commissioner Amanda Burden, whose leadership helped foster a constructive dialogue on the rezoning, and the community, whose meaningful participation in the land use review process helped to make this an even better plan. As a result, we can look forward to a brighter future of St. George as a vital, pedestrian-friendly and sustainable waterfront community and an even greater place to live, work and visit."