Rendering of 515 Blake Avenue Project/Image Credit: HPD, HELP USA, Curtis + Ginsberg Architects, and City Planning
The new development proposes services for both residents and the greater East New York community. On October 16, 2019, the City Planning Commission voted to approve a land use application to develop four mixed-use buildings in East New York, Brooklyn. The lot is bounded by Sutter Avenue to the north, Blake Avenue to the south, Snediker Avenue to the west, and Hinsdale Street to the east. To facilitate the new 387,100 square feet development, the applicants would demolish the existing three-story homeless shelter at 515 Blake Avenue. The project will redevelop the shelter and bring affordable housing, community facilities, and retail. The Department of Housing Preservation and Development, HELP USA, a national non-profit focused on providing shelters, Department of Homeless Services, Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel, and Curtis + Ginsberg Architects are the applicant team.
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Rendering of proposed development on Vernon Boulevard./Image Credit: Cipico Construction/CPC
The proposed development would be near Astoria’s waterfront parks and cultural institutions such as the Noguchi Museum. On September 11, 2019, the City Planning Commission voted to approve an application to develop three mixed-use buildings in Astoria, Queens. The project block is bounded by Vernon Boulevard and Broadway to the north, 33rd Road to the south, 11th Street to the east, and 10th Street to the west. The block is currently occupied by a one-story garage and warehouse. The project will include new housing, local retail, food and beverage businesses, and community facilities. Cipico Construction is the project’s applicant.
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Map depicting the three project site locations. Image Credit: CPC/HPD
The three sites will have amenities for residents and are transit accessible. On September 25, 2019, the City Council voted to approve an application to develop affordable housing on three City-owned properties located in Brownsville, Brooklyn. The properties are located at 47 New Lots Avenue, 609-615 Osborn Street, and 120-122 Liberty Avenue. The three properties are small, underutilized sites and are currently vacant. The application proposed the development of two residential buildings and one mixed-use building, which would bring approximately 41 affordable housing units to the Brownsville neighborhood.
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Mayor Bill De Blasio. Image Credit: CityLand
New Yorkers applying for affordable apartments now have the choice to avoid credit checks. On August 21, 2019, the Department of Housing Preservation and Development and the Housing Development Corporation announced major changes to Housing Preservation and Development’s affordable housing lottery application. The expanded guidelines will increase access for more New Yorkers to qualify for affordable housing. This change will have an immediate impact for some of the most vulnerable New Yorkers. Besides offering the option to show positive rental history instead of submitting to credit checks, or provide their own credit checks, the new guidelines will also allow for additional occupants per unit. (more…)
