
Sandy Hornick. Image Credit: Sandy Hornick/Hornick Consulting, Inc.
I was motivated to respond to an article by Robert Kuttner on The American Prospect website that in general argued that a tax-subsidized project was facing impending collapse which could provide an opportunity for affordable housing. I have no problem with the author disliking Hudson Yards and he wouldn’t be the first or only one to do so. I believe, however, that the American Prospect piece contains misinformation on the Hudson Yards project. This article is an attempt to put Hudson Yards into context and explain how this public/private venture is currently working. (read more…)
Two sites located at Hudson Yards will be used for future affordable housing development. On April 9, 2018, Housing Preservation and Development Commissioner Maria Torres-Springer announced the release of a Request for Proposals that seeks qualified teams to develop two city-owned sites into mixed-use affordable housing developments. The sites are located in Hudson Yards in the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhoods. (read more…)

Join us Tuesday, April 10th, for Open Space Dialogues: From New Perspectives to Action, an evening of provocative presentations and discussion created by New Yorkers for Parks and WXY architecture + urban design. Following events focusing on open space value, design, development, policy, and financing, we have a panel of leading parks practitioners, decision-makers, activists, and stakeholders. Space is limited; register to reserve your spot.
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Presented by the Center for New York City Law, The Center for Real Estate Studies and The NYC Law Department.

WHEN
Wednesday, March 28, 2018, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:50 p.m. (read more…)

A rendering of Tishman Speyer’s proposal for Hudson Yards. Image: Tishman Speyer Properties.
Proposal would create 13 million sq.ft. of developable space. On March 26, 2008, the MTA Board selected Tishman Speyer’s proposal to develop the western and eastern portions of the John D. Caemmerer Rail Yard, also known as Hudson Yards. At $1.004 billion, Tishman outbid four competing real estate developers for the right to transform the 26-acre site despite proposing the smallest number of residential units and the least amount of open space.
Tishman’s proposal, designed by architect Helmut Jahn, calls for more than eight million sq.ft. of total office space, 550,000 sq.ft. of retail space, 300,000 sq.ft. of residential space, and 13 acres of public open space. The western half of the site, located between West 30th and 33rd Streets from 11th to 12th Avenues, is currently zoned M2-3 and must be rezoned to accommodate Tishman’s proposed mixed-use development. However, the MTA will allow Tishman to terminate the contract if the developer is unable to obtain the necessary zoning changes. The eastern half of the site, located between 10th and 11th Avenues from West 30th to 33rd Streets, was rezoned in January 2005 as part of the Special Hudson Yards District. 2 CityLand 4 (Feb. 15, 2005); 1 CityLand 36 (Dec. 2004). (read more…)
Follow-Up Corrective Action (FUCA) approved 17 modifications to Hudson Yards revitalization plan. In January 2005, after extended negotiations, the City Council approved ten land use actions related to the revitalization of Manhattan’s Hudson Yards. 2 CityLand 4 (Feb. 15, 2005). Public review of the proposed text amendment identified the need for certain modifications. On August 4, 2005, the Planning Department, Council Member Christine Quinn, and Manhattan Community Board 4 applied jointly to incorporate the modifications into the Hudson Yards plan. The Follow-Up Corrective Action, or FUCA, identified 18 modifications related to affordable housing, development controls, clarifications, and corrections. On December 21, 2005, the City Council approved 17 of 18 revisions to the text. The approved corrective actions: (read more…)