U.S. Rep Shirley Chisholm. Image credit: Thomas J. O’Halloran, U.S. News & World Reports. Light restoration by Adam Cuerden

Nominations sought to honor a woman committed to social reform and justice. On November 30, 2018, First Lady Chirlane McCray, Deputy Mayor Alicia Glen, and the Department of Cultural Affairs announced the selection of U.S. Rep. Shirley Chisholm, the first black Congresswoman and the first woman to seek the Democratic presidential nomination, for a City-funded monument at the Parkside entrance to Prospect Park. Rep. Chisholm’s monument will be the first monument under the She Built NYC initiative is which seeks to commission public monuments honoring the New York City women who changed history.

Rendering of the proposed development at 656 East 176th Street. Image Credit: NYC CPC

The building will have 24 apartments for formerly homeless individuals and families. On December 5, 2018, the City Planning Commission held a public hearing for an application for the construction of an eleven-story, low residential building, at 656 East 176^th Street in the Bronx. The Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) and Proxy Estate, Inc. brought the application, requesting a zoning change and disposition of city-owned property to facilitate the project. The proposed project site is currently being used for parking lots.

Rendering of reconstructed and restored building at 59 Greenwich Avenue in Greenwich Village, Manhattan. Image Credit: CPC.

The applicant needs special permit to modify zoning requirements. On December 5, 2018, the City Planning Commission held a public hearing on an application for a special permit to modify the use and building envelope requirements for a four-story building located at 59 Greenwich Avenue in the Greenwich Village Historic District in Manhattan. If granted, the special permit will allow the applicant to repair and reconstruct the existing building and use the first two floors as a combined hair products retailer and hair salon. The applicant is Los Angeles hair stylist, Chaz Dean, who was represented at City Planning by project executive Tim Campbell and attorney Judith M. Gallent of Bryan Cave.

Five of the seven buildings considered for designation. Image Credit: Google Maps

Residents divided between bureaucratic concerns and a desire for a larger historic district. On December 4, 2018, the Landmarks Preservation Commission held public hearings for the individual landmark designation of seven buildings on Broadway south of Union Square. The buildings are located at 817 Broadway, 826 Broadway, 830 Broadway, 832 Broadway, 836 Broadway, 840 Broadway, and 841 Broadway.

Revised rendering of proposed office building at 29-37 Jay Street in DUMBO, Brooklyn. Image Credit: LPC/Marvel Architects

The revised plans for the building show much thicker masonry as was suggested by Landmarks at previous hearing. On November 13, 2018, the Landmarks Preservation Commission voted to approve a certificate of appropriateness for the proposed demolition of an existing warehouse at 29-37 Jay Street and construction of a new 11-story office building, at the corner of Jay and Plymouth Streets within the DUMBO historic district in Brooklyn. The applicant team, represented by architect Jonathan Marvel, presented the revised plans for the building after listening to Landmarks Commissioners input at the hearing on September 25, 2018. To read CityLand coverage of the prior hearing, click here.

Diagram shows proposed additions for 51 White Street. Image Credit: NYC CPC

Building next to unique synagogue will have two additional stories and mezzanine. On November 14, 2018, the City Planning Commission held a public hearing for a special permit application for 51 White Street in Tribeca, Manhattan. The special permit would allow for the addition of two stories to the top of the building and the construction of a mezzanine between the first and second floor. The building has been vacant since 2016 but formerly had a ground floor retail tenant and twelve residential apartments on the other floors.