Satellite View of Project Area. Image Credit: Google Maps.

A wholesale club and retail center will be developed on Staten Island Wetlands in Mariners Harbor. On October 31, 2017, City Council passed the South Avenue Retail Development land use actions by a vote of 45-1. The special permit and City map amendment will facilitate the development of five new retail buildings in Mariners Harbor, Staten Island. The special permit allows the retail buildings to be developed in excess of 10,000 square feet to accommodate use for a supermarket. The City map amendment will removed mapped but unbuilt streets from the project area’s wetlands to prevent future development. For CityLand’s prior coverage on the matter, click here.

Mariners Harbor, Staten Island is an environmental justice community. Council Member Debi Rose of District 49, where the development will occur, has facilitated many conversations between the community and project developers to ensure smart planning. While explaining her vote at the October 31st Council meetings, Council Member Rose noted that a “no” vote from the Council on this project will not prevent development on the site, because the current zoning does allow commercial use. The developer asking for a special permit and City map amendments allowed the Council to review the development and attach commitments such as local hiring and increased environmental protection. (read more…)

Conceptual rendering of the North site view of the New York Wheel and New York Harbor. Image credit: NYCEDC

The modifications would alter the parking garage, restaurant, and other amenities.  On October 22, 2015, the City Council Committee on Land Use unanimously approved New York Wheel LLC’s application to modify the previously-approved special permit for the construction of the New York Wheel, located on the St. George Waterfront in Staten Island.  The New York Wheel originally succeeded through the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure process in 2013, but is now seeking approval for a redesigned parking garage and several other modifications.

(read more…)

Eric Palatnik testifies before the Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises on the Sollazzo Plaza rezoning. Image credit: NYC.gov

Approval permits demolition of old farmhouse to make way for a shopping center.  On December 15, 2014 the City Council Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises voted unanimously to approve rezoning for portions of a block to permit the construction of a retail shopping center. The rezoned portion is bounded by Forest Avenue to the north, Monsey Place to the south, Richmond Avenue to the east, and P.S. 22 to the west.

(read more…)

Conceptual rendering of view of the New York Wheel and New York Harbor. Image Credit: NYCEDC.

Council gives go ahead for world’s largest Ferris wheel and outlet complex.  On October 30, 2013, City Council unanimously voted 45-0 to approve the construction of the largest Ferris Wheel in the western hemisphere, which along with other developments, is intended to transform Staten Island’s St. George Waterfront. The New York Wheel (the Wheel), designed and manufactured by Starneth, will be built just north of the Richmond County Bank Ballpark, and will provide panoramic views of New York Harbor and New York City. The Wheel will be 625-feet tall with a maximum capacity of 1,440 riders, and is projected to attract approximately 4.5 million visitors per year. The project will also include the development of a 95,000 gross sq. ft. Wheel Terminal building and a 340,000 sq. ft. retail complex, Empire Outlets. (read more…)