Department of Design and Construction Logo Image Credit: DDC

On July 13, 2022, the NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC) Commissioner Thomas Foley announced the creation of the City’s first Pre-Qualified List, strictly for Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises general contractors. The Pre-Qualified List was designed to provide Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises general contractors with first dibs over Department of Design and Construction projects between $500,000 and $2.99 million. In this way, construction contracts can be awarded faster and projects can be completed earlier without the need to run background checks or qualifications on all the bidders. (more…)

The development team and agency officials break ground on Compass Six in West Farms. Image Credit: NYC HPD

The new affordable housing development will house 261 low-income and formerly homeless  families. On March 19, 2021, Mayor de Blasio and the Department of Housing Preservation and Development announced the groundbreaking of a new affordable housing building in the West Farms section of the Bronx. The building, named Compass Six, is located at 1923 West Farms Road. Compass Six is part of the Compass Resident Development, which will consist of eight buildings and be one of the largest-scale affordable housing developments in the area once completed. The groundbreaking of Compass Six marks the beginning of the final phase of development for the Compass Residence project. (more…)

Rendering of the two buildings at 1099 Webster Avenue in the Bronx. Image Credit: NYC CPC/Aufgang Architects

The buildings will bring 238 affordable units to the area. On February 3, 2021, the City Planning Commission held a public hearing for an application to build two affordable mixed-use buildings at 1099 Webster Avenue in the East Concourse section of the Bronx. The buildings will be on the west side of Webster Avenue between East 166th Street and East 167th Street. The site is currently the location of a parking lot and a former automotive repair shop. (more…)

Department of Small Business Services Commissioner Jonnel Doris testifying at the hearing Image Credit: City Council

Small Business hearings takes dire tone. On August 13, 2020, the City Council Committee on Small Business held a remote public hearing, on three bills that would cumulatively limit third-party food delivery services and require the Department of Small Business Services to create reports on COVID-19 related small business grants and loans. Beyond the three bills, the hearing also delved into the state of small business in the City and potential action to alleviate stresses on the small business community. The three bills are detailed below:

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Image credit: Perkins Eastman Architects

City Council approved the development of Ebenezer Plaza that will bring affordable housing, jobs, and a new church space to Brownsville, Brooklyn. On September 7, 2017, City Council passed two land use actions by a vote of 45-0 to allow for the development of a mixed-used plaza in Brownsville. The actions enact a zoning map amendment that allows mixed-use development, and a zoning text amendment that establishes a Mandatory Inclusionary Housing area. The affected area is located north of Hegeman Avenue between Mother Gaston Boulevard and Powell Street. For CityLand’s prior coverage click here.

The project came to fruition when the Church of God of East Flatbush partnered with Brisa Builders Corporation, a family-owned and community-oriented developer, to create a mixed-use plaza on some property owned by the Church. Brisa Builders then partnered with Procida Companies to increase the project’s capacity. The new plaza is expected to contain 4 affordable residential buildings on 2 lots, retail space marketed to local community organizations, and new walking space between existing residences and the Brownsville Recreational Center. (more…)