MTA took private land to expand Sunnyside Rail Yard for East Side Access Project. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority acquired 38-38 43rd Street and 38-40 43rd Street in Sunnyside, Queens through eminent domain. The MTA plans to use the lots to expand the Sunnyside Rail Yard for the East Side Access Project, which would connect the Long Island Rail Road directly to Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan. 38-38 43rd Street consisted of a two-story storage, warehouse, … <Read More>
MTA must compensate for taken trade fixtures
- Fulton Street Transit Center. Image: Mary Gillen.
MTA claimed that compensation for trade fixtures in building taken for transit project would constitute improper windfall payment. Three restaurant tenants in a three-story building at 194 Broadway in Lower Manhattan sought compensation for their trade fixtures after the Metropolitan Transportation Authority acquired the property through eminent domain for its Fulton Street Transit Center project. The three restaurants were separately incorporated, but were owned by the same individual … <Read More>
Landmarks proposes new streamlined storefront rules
Citywide rule change would streamline review process for changes to building storefronts under Landmarks’ jurisdiction. On February 23, 2012, Landmarks published in the City Record a proposed amendment to the City rules that would streamline the review process for proposed alterations to the storefronts of land-marked buildings. Currently the majority of applications for changes to storefronts need to be reviewed by Landmarks’ commissioners. The Citywide rule change would permit Landmarks’ staff to approve applications for … <Read More>
Another plan for Whitney Museum block offered
Developer, in second trip to Landmarks, altered materials and reduced massing of proposed development adjacent to the Whitney Museum. On February 14, 2012, Landmarks considered Daniel E. Straus’s revised proposal to redevelop eight buildings adjacent to the Whitney Museum in the Upper East Side Historic District. The plan would impact six row-houses at 933 to 943 Madison Avenue and two townhouses at 31 and 33 East 74th Street. Straus acquired the properties from the Whitney … <Read More>
Governors Island signage and landscaping approved
- Proposed welcome walls on Governors Island. Image: Courtesy of West 8.
Portions of Trust for Governors Island’s redevelopment plan falling within historic district needed Landmarks approval. On February 7, 2012, Landmarks issued a binding report approving portions of the Trust for Governors Island’s plan for the recreational redevelopment of the 172-acre Governors Island. Landmarks in July 2011 approved the Trust’s proposal to demolish six non-historic structures and landscape an area near the Yankee Pier public … <Read More>
Plan to demolish two-story building’s facade rejected
- 52 and 54 Lispenard Street. Image: Mary Gillen.
Commission rejected plan to replace low-rise building’s facade and build five-story addition that would cross over to neighboring building. On February 7, 2012, Landmarks rejected a proposal to alter neighboring two- and five-story buildings at 52 and 54 Lispenard Street in the Tribeca East Historic District. The proposal called for replacing the facade and adding five stories to the two-story building at 52 Lispenard and adding two … <Read More>