Site of future rooftop farm in Hunts Point

Opportunity to develop and operate a rooftop farm on a 200,000 sq.ft. building near the Halleck Industrial Development Site. On June 11, 2012, the Economic Development Corporation issued a request for proposals for the development and operation of a year-round rooftop farm on a 200,000-square-foot City-owned warehouse along the East River in the Hunts Point section of the Bronx. The farm would be located on the roof of 600 Food Center Drive, which is currently occupied by Sultana Distribution and Citarella. EDC anticipates executing a lease with the chosen developer by the end of the summer of 2012, with construction beginning in the fall of 2012. The site is south of the Halleck Industrial Development Site, which is subject to a separate, and ongoing, EDC request for proposals process. (See CityLand’s coverage of the Halleck Industrial Development Site RFP here).

The warehouse’s lot is zoned M3-1, which permits heavy manufacturing uses. According to EDC, a rooftop farm or greenhouse would be permitted as-of-right on the warehouse.  The warehouse is located within the boundary of the Hunts (read more…)

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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