If you haven’t hopped on the A train to the last stop in a while, you probably have a mental image of Far Rockaway that’s stuck in 2012. You might think of the skeleton of the old shopping center or the lingering scars of Superstorm Sandy. Honestly, that version of the neighborhood is basically gone.
The far rockaway ny news cycle lately has been relentless. It’s a mix of massive "net-zero" construction projects, a shifting political landscape in City Hall, and a local community trying to keep its soul while the skyline changes every single week.
Just this morning, January 15, 2026, the vibe at the Beach 25th Street station was tense. A 37-year-old subway conductor was punched in the face while the Manhattan-bound A train pulled in. It’s the kind of thing that makes residents roll their eyes when officials say crime numbers are dropping. While the 101st Precinct is on the hunt for the guy in the black coat, it reminds everyone here that "revitalization" doesn't always mean "safe."
The Housing Lottery Boom (And the Catch)
Walk down Village Lane and you’ll see Rockaway Village Phase 5 towering over the street. It’s huge. The news that 325 new units just hit the housing lottery has people scrambling.
The rents? They start at $617 for a one-bedroom.
That sounds like a steal, right? But here is what most people get wrong: the income brackets are incredibly specific. You’ve basically got to hit a financial bullseye to qualify. For those $617 units, a household of three can't make more than $43,740. If you make $44,000, you’re out of luck.
✨ Don't miss: Who Has Trump Pardoned So Far: What Really Happened with the 47th President's List
Meanwhile, at 19-19 Cornaga Ave, they just topped out a nine-story building that’s going to be 100% affordable. It’s slated to open by the end of 2026. What’s cool is that 60 of those units are reserved for young adults aging out of foster care. It’s a specific kind of "news" that doesn't usually make the front page but actually changes lives on the peninsula.
The Arverne East Mystery
People keep asking when Arverne East—the city's first "net-zero" community—will actually be finished. The short answer? Not for a while. But the money is finally moving. A massive $278.8 million financing deal just closed for "Building D."
This isn't just another apartment complex. We're talking:
- Geothermal heating (no fossil fuels on site).
- Triple-pane windows to block that brutal Atlantic wind.
- Buildings raised 3 to 8 feet off the ground because, let's face it, the ocean is coming.
If you head over to Edgemere Avenue, you’ll see the pile rigs. They started thumping away on January 7th. It’s loud, it’s annoying, and it’s a sign that the 116-acre oceanfront wasteland is finally becoming something real.
Political Shakeups in District 31
There’s some drama in the City Council that’s going to ripple down to the Rockaways. Selvena Brooks-Powers, our local rep, just lost her spot as the Chair of the Transportation Committee. The new Speaker, Julie Menin, handed that role to Shaun Abreu from Manhattan.
🔗 Read more: Why the 2013 Moore Oklahoma Tornado Changed Everything We Knew About Survival
Why does this matter for far rockaway ny news?
Because Brooks-Powers was the one screaming about the A train service and the rising bus fares. Now, she’s heading the Criminal Justice Committee. It’s a "fresh leadership" move by the Speaker, but some folks in the 101st are worried our transit needs might get buried under Manhattan priorities.
The Business Hustle
It’s not all big developers and politicians. Last Saturday, the "Access to Capital" event at Peninsula Preparatory Academy was packed. You had soon-to-be Ben & Jerry’s franchise owners getting advice from marketing experts.
Gail Johnson, who hosted the event, was pretty blunt: investment trends are changing. Small businesses in Far Rockaway have to fight harder for loans now that interest rates and insurance costs are squeezing everyone. But seeing a room full of local entrepreneurs shows that the "Downtown Far Rockaway" rezoning is finally trickling down to the mom-and-pop level.
Real Talk on Transit
The A train is back in full swing after that brutal 17-week shutdown last year, but don't get too comfortable. The MTA is still finishing that new signal tower at Beach 105th Street. They’re aiming for "substantial completion" by the third quarter of 2026.
💡 You might also like: Ethics in the News: What Most People Get Wrong
The goal is to make the line "Sandy-proof." If another storm wipes out the Beach 116th Street terminal, the new interlocking will let trains turn around at 105th. It’s a "plan for the worst" scenario that residents hope they never actually have to use.
What This Means for You
If you're living here or thinking about moving, the landscape is shifting under your feet. Literally.
- Check the Lottery: If you’re looking for a spot, the Rockaway Village Phase 5 application deadline is February 9, 2026. Don't miss it.
- Watch the Council: Keep an eye on how the new Transportation Committee handles the Q53 and Q22 bus lines. With Brooks-Powers out of that chair, the community needs to stay loud.
- Prep for 2027: Most of the big Arverne East housing won't be ready for move-in until next year or 2028, so if you're looking for that net-zero lifestyle, you've got time to save up.
Far Rockaway isn't just a "beach town" or a "transit desert" anymore. It's a massive experiment in urban resilience. Whether it works or not depends on whether the infrastructure can keep up with the thousands of people moving into these new towers.
Actionable Next Steps:
Stay updated by checking the NYC Housing Connect portal for the Cornaga Avenue lottery opening later this spring. Also, if you use the A train at night, be aware of the increased police presence at Beach 25th following today's incident; transit patrols have been stepped up for the evening commute.