HPD Proposes Affordable Homeownership Project in Bedford-Stuyvesant

Affordable homeownership project receives generally positive feedback. On January 22, 2020, the City Planning Commission heard an application by the Department of Housing Preservation and Development for the disposition of city-owned property and to designate three areas in the southern portion of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn as Urban Development Action Areas. The UDAAP designation would help facilitate the construction of seven new buildings and 78 affordable homeownership units. Felipe Cortez, a borough planner at HPD and Jack … <Read More>


City Planning Approves Application to Convert Former Hotel Building to Affordable Housing

The conversion of the former Watchtower hotel will bring 508 residential units to DUMBO, Brooklyn. On February 19, 2020, the City Planning Commission approved an application to rezone a block in DUMBO, Brooklyn from a light manufacturing district to a mixed-use residential and commercial district. The block is bounded by High Street to the north, Sands Street to the south, Jay Street to the east, and Pearl Street to the west. The rezoning would facilitate … <Read More>


Landmarks Awards Five Grants to Repair Protected Properties

Recipients in all five boroughs received anywhere from $10,000 to $35,000 to restore, repair or rehabilitate the facades of their buildings. On January 16, 2020, the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) awarded five grants to low and moderate-income homeowners and nonprofits to offset the cost of repairs to their landmarked properties as part of the Historic Preservation Grant Program. The program is funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant … <Read More>


Landmarks Calendars Historic District in Hunts Point, Bronx

The houses within the proposed historic district have a consistent architectural style and retain most historical details from the early 20th century. On January 21, 2020, the Landmarks Preservation Commission voted to calendar a proposed historic district in Hunts Point, Bronx. The Manida Street Historic District would be located on Manida Street between Garrison and Lafayette Avenues and would consist of 42 semi-detached, two-story brick houses on both sides of the street. The district would … <Read More>


Water and Sewer Fees Bill Upheld

Church claimed full exemption from water and sewer charges. The Bethelite Community Church, located in Harlem, owed $1 million in back water and sewer bills. The Church insisted that its building, as a place of public worship, was exempt from water and sewer fees. The Church applied for full exemption including residences within the property incidental to the exempt uses of the property. The Church reasoned these residences were used by the church administrator and … <Read More>


Workforce Housing Scrapped From Proposed Astoria Development

City Council Subcommittee announces modification to Mega LLC’s proposed development. On January 30, 2020 the City Council Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises approved Mega LLC’s ULURP application to rezone Block 769 in Astoria, Queens with a modification to the Mandatory Inclusionary Housing component. The rezoning would help facilitate the construction of an 8-story, mixed-use development. Block 769 in Queens is bounded by Ditmars Avenue to the north, 23rd Avenue to the south, 46th street to … <Read More>