EDC's Brielle Avenue RFEI

Developers asked to incorporate historic preservation into proposals for Brielle Avenue parcel. The City’s Economic Development Corporation on March 6, 2012 issued a request for expressions of interest for the redevelopment of an approximately 46-acre site located on Brielle Avenue in the Willowbrook neighborhood of Staten Island. The majority of the property was originally used as an institutional work farm for the poor, known as the New York City Farm Colony, but has been vacant for over 30 years. The Landmarks Preservation Commission in 1985 designated the site as part of the Farm Colony – Seaview Hospital Historic District. EDC, working in coordination with Landmarks and local City Council Member James S. Oddo, seeks proposals that would transform the area in a way that would complement and enhance the surrounding community. The site is also within a Special Natural Area District that mandates City Planning Commission review of proposals.

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IDA approved $81 million in incentives to assist Fresh Direct relocation to the Bronx. On February 14, 2012, the City’s Industrial Development Agency approved financial incentives of approximately $81 million to assist Fresh Direct in relocating its headquarters and operations center from Long Island City to the Mott Haven section of the Bronx. Fresh Direct, an Internet grocery delivery service, sought assistance to build a 500,000 sq.ft. distribution facility and separate parking and maintenance facilities. The sixteen-acre project site is located between East 132nd Street and the Harlem River beneath the Willis Avenue Bridge approach. Fresh Direct will receive nearly $128 million from the City, the State, the Bronx Borough President’s Office, and the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation. Fresh Direct will invest $112.6 million in theproject.

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Previous redevelopment proposal defeated after Bronx leaders objected to project’s impact on community and developer’s refusal to agree to living wage provision. On January 12, 2012, the Economic Development Corporation issued a request for proposals for the redevelopment of the long-vacant Kingsbridge Armory in the Kingsbridge section of the Bronx. The 575,000 sq.ft. landmarked building features an open hall with high ceilings and 180,000 sq.ft. of space. The RFP comes two years after the City Council rejected the Related Companies’ proposal to convert the armory into a retail mall with a movie theater, fitness center, and supermarket.  (read more…)

City seeks industrial maritime use for 33-acre site along Arthur Kill Channel. The City’s Economic Development Corporation issued a request for expressions of interest for the reactivation of an industrial maritime use on a waterfront site in Rossville, Staten Island. The 33-acre parcel along Arthur Kill Channel is north of the West Shore Expressway and abuts the Bloomfield Liquefied Natural Gas Tank property on Chemical Lane. Arthur Kill Channel supports deep-draft vessels used in domestic and international shipping. The mostly vacant site is zoned M3-1 for heavy manufacturing uses. The site is the largest City-owned property available for maritime development and would be available for purchase or long-term lease.

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Two sites on Staten Island’s North Shore are currently used as parking lots for ferry terminal and baseball stadium. On August 11, 2011, the City’s Economic Development Corporation issued a request for expressions of interest for the disposition and redevelopment of two waterfront parcels totaling more than fourteen acres near the St. George Ferry Terminals in St. George, Staten Island. A 7.4-acre parcel (the North Site) abuts the Richmond County Bank Ballpark to the north, and a 6.7-acre parcel (the South Site) borders the ballpark to the south. The two parcels are zoned M1-1 and were formerly part of a rail yard. The parcels are used as parking lots for the ferry terminal and ballpark.

St. George is a densely populated neighborhood and serves as Staten Island’s administrative center and transit hub. In 2008, the City approved the creation of the St. George Special District to encourage reinvestment in the area and establish a pedestrian-oriented civic center. 5 CityLand 153 (Nov. 15, 2008). Current and planned investments include the City’s $175 million rehabilitation of the ferry terminal’s ramps, and the MTA’s potential reactivation of the former North Shore rail line right of way.  (read more…)