City Council Subcommittee and Land Use Committee Vote to Approve the Rezoning of Water Street’s Privately Owned Public Space With Modifications

The modified version requires a full public review process in order to infill the largest arcades covered by the proposed zoning text amendment. On June 15, 2016, the City Council Committee on Land Use voted unanimously to approve a modified version of an application submitted by the Alliance for Downtown New York, the NYC Economic Development Corporation, and the Department of City Planning to rezone the privately owned public space—colloquially known as “POPS”—on and surrounding … <Read More>


City Council Subcommittee Hears Testimony on the Rezoning of Water Street’s Privately Owned Public Space

Council Members voiced concerns over the proposal’s provisions stripping the City Council of its review over future applications brought pursuant to the proposal. On May 4, 2016, the City Council Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises held a public hearing on an application submitted by the Alliance for Downtown New York, the NYC Economic Development Corporation, and the Department of City Planning to amend the zoning text controlling the Water Street corridor in lower Manhattan. For … <Read More>


City Planning Commission Hears Testimony on the Rezoning of Water Street’s Privately Owned Public Space

The proposed zoning text amendment would facilitate the replacement of sheltered outdoor space with commercial storefronts. On March 30th, 2016, the City Planning Commission held a public hearing on an application submitted by the Alliance for Downtown New York, the NYC Economic Development Corporation, and the Department of City Planning to amend the zoning text regulating Manhattan Community District 1’s Special Lower Manhattan District, which includes property sites located within the area bounded by Pearl … <Read More>


Sanitation facility approved for SoHo’s Washington St.

500 Washington Street, SoHo, Manhattan

Council approved despite community concerns over traffic, environmental impact, and aesthetics. On November 19, 2008, the City Council approved a plan by the Dept. of Sanitation to build a five-story service and maintenance garage, a 34,000 gallon refueling station, and a 75ft. tall salt shed at 500 Washington Street in SoHo, Manhattan. The garage and salt shed would serve Community Districts 1, 2, and 5. 5 CityLand 137 (Oct. 15, … <Read More>


DOS garage and salt shed plan opposed by community

Controversial proposal would consolidate three Community District sanitation garages and add salt shed tower. On August 27, 2008, the City Planning Commission heard testimony on the Department of Sanitation’s plan to build a 118-ft. tall service and maintenance garage and 30- 75-ft. tall salt shed in SoHo, Manhattan, just east of the Holland Tunnel. Sanitation’s proposal is a response to the Hudson River Park Act of 1998, which requires Sanitation to vacate Gansevoort peninsula, the … <Read More>