The City Planning Commission approved an application for a large retail establishment, 28,634 square feet, in the lower floors of a building in SoHo neighborhood. On July 12, 2017, the City Planning Commission issued a favorable report on an application from 462BDWY LAND, L.P.—owner of 462 Broadway in Manhattan’s SoHo neighborhood. The application sought a special permit to modify use regulations of Section 42-14(D)(2)(b) of the Zoning Resolution to allow retail uses on portions of … <Read More>
Speed Up the Redesign and Modernization of Privately-Owned Public Spaces
Over half the existing plazas and other public spaces located on private property lack the benches, vegetation, artwork, lighting and other amenities required by the City’s zoning code or promised by the developers in return for permission to build taller and larger buildings, as reported by Comptroller Scott Stringer in an April 18, 2017 audit. Stringer recommended more inspections by the Department of Buildings to bring these privately-owned public spaces (so-called “POPS”) into compliance. But … <Read More>
Mayor Announces New $65 Million Medical Facility in Flushing
Mayor de Blasio announced the city’s contribution to new multi-million dollar healthcare facility as latest achievement of pledge to reduce health disparities in the City. On July 18, 2017, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced plans for a new 77,000 square-foot facility as part of the Mayor’s Caring Neighborhoods Initiative. The state-of-the-art facility, named Healthview, will serve as a primary care access point that provides medical, dental, mental health, and patient support services. It is projected … <Read More>
Downtown Far Rockaway Development Plan Clears City Planning
The City Planning Commission approved the 22-block development plan for the Far Rockaway neighborhood in Queens. On July 10, 2017, the City Planning Commission approved an application by the New York City Economic Development Corporation for the Downtown Far Rockaway Development Plan. The Development Plan includes the designation of the Downtown Far Rockaway Urban Renewal Area, the disposition of city-owned property, and zoning text and map amendments. The community planning process was led by Council … <Read More>
Commission Addresses Demolition of Fire-Damaged Individually Landmarked Synagogue
Commissioners allowed demolition to proceed, but mandated that any material that can be retained or salvaged must be preserved. On July 12, 2017, Landmarks decided on application filed by the owners of the Beth Hamerdash Hagodol Synagogue, an individual City landmark, at 60 Norfolk Street on the Lower East Side. The building was severely damaged by a fire in May of 2017, believed to have been set by a teenage arsonist who gained access … <Read More>
City Planning Approves Ebenezer Plaza; City Council Next to Consider
The City Planning Commission approved the construction of “Ebenezer Plaza” which will contain two new mixed-use buildings with 531 affordable dwelling units, commercial space and a new house of worship for the Church of God of East Flatbush. On July 12, 2017, the City Planning Commission issued a favorable report on a joint application from Brownsville Linden Plaza LLC. The application requested four zoning map amendments and a zoning text amendment to designate the project … <Read More>