40-story tower to be built above Midtown Bus Terminal

Port Authority leased air rights for $500 million to fund major improvements. On November 30, 2007, the Port Authority announced an agreement to facilitate construction of a 40-story, 1.3 million-square-foot office tower above the north wing of the 42nd Street Bus Terminal. Under the agreement, the Port Authority would lease the air rights over the area to 20X Square Associates, a joint venture between Vornado Realty and Ruben Companies. The agency will also share in … <Read More>


Upgrade of Hunts Point pollution plant approved

Borough President and community board had raised concerns about odor, traffic and views from nearby park. The Planning Commission on July 25, 2007 unanimously approved the Department of Environmental Protection’s plan to upgrade and expand the Hunts Point water pollution control plant by constructing two, 130-foot tall, egg-shaped digester buildings. The plan includes the transfer to Parks of 1.2 acres of land which, during construction, will be used for staging. After completion of construction, Parks … <Read More>


Challenge to East 91st transfer station rebuffed

Community claimed the FEIS flawed, the project was a nuisance and a Bronx facility would be more economical. In June 2005, Sanitation obtained final City approval for construction of a marine transfer station on the site of an inactive waste transfer station at East 91st Street and the East River. The approval was part of a citywide proposal to make each borough responsible for the export of its own waste. Sanitation’s proposal to reactivate the … <Read More>


North Tribeca blocks rezoned over opposition

Site of new 260,000-square-foot residential development at 88 Laight Street in North Tribeca. Photo: Shane Tattan.

A private developer sought to rezone four city blocks of Tribeca. Truffles, LLC applied for a zoning map amendment to rezone four waterfront blocks along the western edge of Manhattan’s North Tribeca neighborhood to enable construction of a 260,000-square-foot residential development at 88 Laight Street. Truffles also applied for a text amendment to increase the maximum streetwall and building … <Read More>


New DOT maintenance yard approved

Ozone Park DOT facility will have green components and noise buffers. The DOT sought a map amendment and site selection approval to allow construction of a new maintenance facility at 88-20 Pitkin Avenue in Ozone Park, Queens. The proposed 46,812-square-foot project site would require elimination of a portion of Linden Boulevard that has not been open to the public since the existing DOT facility was built in 1939. The site’s current facility, consisting of two … <Read More>


Sanitation lease limited to 2 years

Controversial garage given short-term lease by Commission frustrated with garage’s continued problems. The Department of Sanitation sought approval for the continued operation of its Brooklyn District 3 Garage at 306 Rutledge Street in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn. Sanitation has operated this garage under a long-term lease with the private owner since 1945. Even though it is located in Brooklyn’s Community District 1, the garage primarily serves adjacent District 3. With its last lease, granted … <Read More>