Development will provide housing for studio employees, actors and other film industry personnel. On January 9, 2008, the City Council voted to approve an application to rezone an eight-lot, former manufacturing area, and build a three-lot, mixed-use development in Western Queens.

The development, proposed by Kaufman Astoria Studios and Damroc Realty, will be located on 35th Avenue between 34th and 35th Streets, and consist of two sevenstory residential buildings with 60 residential units, 62 parking spaces, 7,800 sq.ft. of ground-floor retail, and 3,000 sq.ft. of open space. Currently located on the site are a coat factory, vacant parking lot and two-story dwelling. Because of the site’s manufacturing history, the developer will record a restriction against the property to test for hazardous materials and, if necessary, take remediation measures in partnership with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection. (more…)

Plan covers East River waterfront from the Battery to the Lower East Side. The Planning Commission approved two linked applications that will implement an East River Waterfront Concept Plan that was developed in 2005 though a planning effort that included 70 public meetings and intensive input from the community. The plan calls for revitalization of two miles of the East River waterfront, stretching from the Battery Maritime Building to Pier 42, located just south of the Williamsburg Bridge. This first phase will be funded in part by the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation, which has set aside $150 million as part of its efforts to redevelop lower Manhattan.

The two applications approved by the Planning Commission on July 25, 2007 will facilitate the construction of five commercial pavilions and improvements to four piers. The applications allow the sale of City-owned property under the FDR Drive and on Piers 15 and 35 to the New York City Economic Development Corporation, and site selection for property located on Piers 35, 36, and 42 and under the FDR Drive.

The pavilions, to be built under the FDR Drive, include 27,000 sq.ft. of space for cultural, recreational, and retail uses. EDC will select the specific operators for the pavilions through a request for proposals after the transfer. On the sites selected on Piers 35, 36, and 42, the plan calls for new open space, including kayak and small boat docking, picnicking areas, and possibly a beach complete with sand and a floating pool. The plan also calls for open space under the FDR Drive, including indoor recreation facilities, bicycle rental/storage space, cafes and restaurants, performance space for dance or martial arts, and gallery and exhibition space. On a portion of Pier 15, the proposal includes an educational facility focused on maritime or environmental issues. (more…)

2M-square-foot complex with apartments, office, commercial and production studio space sent to Council. Silvercup Studios, through Terra Cotta LLC, obtained Planning Commission approval for several rezoning and special permit applications to enable the development of Silvercup West, a 2.07-millionsquare- foot complex that would occupy six acres along the East River waterfront in Hunter’s Point, Queens. The site, bordered by Vernon Boulevard, the East River and 43rd Avenue, lies partially under the Queensboro Bridge and contains a temporary generating facility run by the New York Power Authority, which would end operations if the project obtains approval.

Silvercup Studios is the largest full-service film and television production facility in the northeastern United States. It currently operates locations in Hunter’s Point and Blissville, Queens and its expansion into Silvercup West would be its third Queens location.

The complex would consist of one large base building that would separate into four towers: a film and television production studio tower would rise to 133 feet in height; two residential towers would reach heights of 589 and 506 feet; and an office tower would have a maximum height of 526 feet. In total, the complex would include over 270,000 sq.ft. of film and television production studios, 589,590 sq.ft. of office space, 1,000 residential units, 106,014 sq.ft. of community facility space, restaurants, bars, and a 1,400-space parking garage for complex tenants. Additionally, the project includes 55,000 sq.ft. of public open space, including a walkway along the East River. (more…)

Changes include street level restaurants and retail, new film center, and expansion of Juilliard and Alice Tully Hall. Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts sought approval for the large-scale redesign by New York firms Diller Scofidio+Renfro and Fox and Fowle Architects of its West 65th Street frontage, requiring an amendment to the zoning text and map and acquisition of an easement over City property.

Under the plan, Lincoln Center’s three parking and loading entrances and the loading berth on West 65th Street will be eliminated and the pedestrian bridge spanning the street removed. Access to the Lincoln Center Garage will be gained by a tunnel to be constructed beneath the street, connecting the Lincoln Center Garage, on the south side of West 65th, to the Rose Building garage. With the changes, Lincoln Center will use its West 65th Street frontage as main entries to its venues. (more…)

New development potential of 26 million sq.ft. of office space and 13.6 million sq.ft. of residential; 24 acres of parks, a subway extension, and a new boulevard approved. On November 22, 2004, the Commission approved the Bloomberg Administration’s major urban planning initiative for Manhattan’s Hudson Yards, the area bounded by West 30th and West 43rd Streets, running from Seventh and Eighth Avenues to Twelfth Avenue.

The ten applications before the Commission would achieve a comprehensive redevelopment plan, the expansion of City services and a rezoning of the entire area. At the center of the plan for redevelopment is the transfer from the MTA to the Department of Citywide Administrative Services of the 30-acre, eastern portion of the Caemmerer Yard, spanning from West 30th to West 33rd Streets and from Tenth to Eleventh Avenues, for construction of a platform over the yard. (See C 040505 PQM.) The platform would facilitate future private development and the City’s construction of new parks. Further, the rail yard transfer would partially enable the No. 7 Flushing Line expansion, which is proposed to extend from Times Square to West 41st Street and Tenth Avenue, then south to West 34th Street and Eleventh Avenue. (See C 040504 PQM.) (more…)