Leonard Wasserman Discusses Economic Development

Early in his adult life, Leonard Wasserman thought he would pursue a career in urban planning. His perspective changed, however, when he realized he was “better with words than colored pencils.” After college, Wasserman spent a little over a year at the Housing and Development Administration (the agency that later split into Buildings and HPD), but decided to take a leave from the ranks of the employed to attend Brooklyn Law School to focus on … <Read More>


Commission modifies CB9 and Columbia plans

Commission signs off on Columbia’s eminent domain option despite vocal opposition. On November 26, 2007, the Planning Commission modified and approved both Columbia University’s campus expansion plan and Community Board 9’s 197-a plan. The two plans must now go before the City Council for their review.

Columbia’s plan called for rezoning 35 acres of Manhattanville, a section of West Harlem primarily zoned for manufacturing, to facilitate construction of a 17-acre academic mixed-use development roughly bounded … <Read More>


EDC seeks developers for former Navy Homeport

Sites include residential developments, farmers’ market, sports complex and hotel. The New York City Economic Development Corporation issued three requests for proposals seeking developers for projects on Staten Island’s northeastern shore.

The sites are located along Front Street in Homeport, the former U.S. Navy facility in the Stapleton section of Staten Island.

The three new RFPs are part of the first phase of development under the New Stapleton Waterfront Development Plan. 3 CityLand 149 (Nov. … <Read More>


Hotel chain off the hook on $1.4 million tax bill

Regal Hotels chain appealed a determination that it owed transfer taxes in connection with its UN Plaza Hotel deal. In 1997 the City, the United Nations Development Corporation, and the New York City Economic Development Corporation put out a bid for proposals to purchase and operate the United Nations Plaza Hotel, currently the Millennium UN Plaza Hotel, situated within two adjacent buildings. The 39-story first tower, known as One UN Plaza and located at 787 … <Read More>