Artist Rendering of 550 Washington Nothern Site. Image Credit: CookFox Architects

Zoning Subcommittee and Land Use Committee approve brokered rezoning and development rights transfer at St. John’s Terminal in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village. On December 6, 2016, two City Council committees approved a land use application to develop the aging St. John’s Terminal which is located across West Street from Pier 40 and just north of the Holland Tunnel. The approval will allow the transfer of $100 million of air rights from Pier 40 to the 1.7 million-square-foot development.

The proposed transfer initially received harsh criticism from community groups and city officials. At the City Planning hearing, Gale Brewer, Manhattan Borough President, expressed support for the much needed money to repair a dilapidated Pier 40, but she was critical of the permit request for 772 parking spots, and the amount, location and design of the affordable housing proposed. Corey Johnson, the City Council representative for the area, was also critical of the application. Several members of the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation also spoke against the project at City Planning, calling the project “ludicrously oversized,” and requesting an amendment to prevent future development-rights transfers into Manhattan Community Board 2. The City Planning Commission approved the application without alterations. For CityLand’s full coverage of the City Planning hearing, click here. (more…)

Artist Rendering of 550 Washington Nothern Site. Image Credit: CookFox Architects

Council Member Corey Johnson still feels hesitant about proposed St. John’s Terminal development and seeks more concessions by the developer. On November 1, 2016, the City Council’s Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises held a public hearing on the proposed 550 Washington Street rezoning and redevelopment, and the creation of a special district in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village. The proposed development would create three separate city blocks for five separate buildings which would include four mixed-use buildings and on the southern site the fifth building would be zoned for office or hotel space. Currently the four-story St. John’s Terminal Building occupies the site. The approval of the application by the City Council would also serve as a precondition for the transfer of development rights from the Hudson River Park Trust to the developer for $100 million. The transfer of development rights would be made possible by the creation of a special district which would include Pier 40 and the development site, which was part of the application heard. For CityLand’s previous coverage click here. (more…)