
Rendering of 700 Gerard Avenue/Image Credit: Partners for Architecture and Historic Preservation Consulting, LLC.
The new building would be the first new development in the historic district. On September 17, 2019, the Landmarks Preservation Commission voted to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness to construct a new five-story school building on a lot at 700 Gerard Avenue, Bronx which is located within the Grand Concourse Historic District. The lot, located on the east side of Gerard Avenue between East 153rd and East 157th Streets, is currently used as a parking lot and is above an existing underground subway tunnel. The new building would house the American Dream Charter School, a sixth to twelfth grade dual language charter school. Partners for Architecture is the architectural firm for the project.
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The After-Hours Variance Map shows where after-hours construction is currently permitted throughout the city. Image Credit: DOB
New tool latest in series to promote construction and buildings transparency. On October 16, 2019, the Department of Buildings released a new interactive map that shows all construction sites across the city where permits have been issued to allow for construction work outside of normal business hours. (more…)

Rendering of proposed flood resiliency infrastructure./Image Credit: DDC, Parks, DOT, DEP, and Mayor’s Office of Resiliency/CPC
Despite the project’s phased construction schedule, concerns with the project still exist among elected officials and community members. On November 4, 2019, the City Council Subcommittee on Landmarks, Public Siting, and Dispositions approved two land use applications for the East Side Coastal Resiliency Project, the City’s flood protection plan for Lower Manhattan. The Project will include a system of floodgates and walls along the project area, sewage improvements, and will elevate East River Park eight feet above the flood plain to protect the Park and have it serve as a flood barrier for nearby neighborhoods. The first application is for access onto private property adjacent to the proposed flood protection infrastructure for the City to conduct inspections, maintenance, and repair of the infrastructure. The second application is for a zoning text amendment to allow higher wall heights for the proposed floodwalls and gates at Stuyvesant Cove Park.
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Image credit: School Construction Authority.
The report requested school space studies as a part of ULURP among other recommendations. In response to this article, on September 23, 2019, the School Construction Authority contacted Cityland to respond to Bronx Borough President Rubin Diaz Jr.’s recommendations. (more…)

Rendering of Approved 352-360 Clermont Ave. Image Credit: Landmarks and CWB Architects
New rowhouses in Fort Greene will feature curb cuts and garages. On September 10, 2019, the Landmarks Preservation Commission considered and voted to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness to construct five new four-story rowhouses at 352-360 Clermont Avenue in the Fort Greene Historic District in Brooklyn. The site is currently used as a one story garage and parking lot. Brendan Coburn of CWB Architects presented on behalf of the applicant.
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