Proposed rezoning of the Water Street POPS. Image credit: Department of City Planning
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 Water Street, located on the east side of lower Manhattan. The modified proposal requires the Alliance for Downtown New York to commit to providing programming on the public plazas, re-instates public review as a requirement to infill the larger buildings affected by the rezoning, and places further restrictions on the infill of the arcades.
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Proposed rezoning of the Water Street POPS. Image credit: Department of City Planning
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 CityLand’s previous coverage on the proposed rezoning of the Water Street POPS, click here.
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Proposed rezoning of the Water Street POPS. Image credit: Department of City Planning
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 Street and South William Street to the west, South Street to the east, Fulton Street to the north, and Whitehall Street to the south. The rezoning seeks to activate the neighborhood by filling empty, outdoor space with retail units.
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- 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, 2008).
The plan met with strong opposition from community residents and representatives at its City Planning hearing. Community Boards 1 and 2, as well as Borough President Scott Stringer, supported service for CD1 and 2, but urged the Commission to eliminate CD5 service because the neighborhood could not absorb the additional environmental impact. They also called for elimination of employee parking, noting that it could be made available at Pier 40, and that the space could be used as reservoir space for Sanitation trucks in order to alleviate traffic congestion. Opponents were also concerned about environmental impacts of the salt shed. (read more…)
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 current location of a salt pile and sanitation garage that serves Community Districts 2, 4, and 5. The proposed 190- 200 ft. wide, 413 ft. long garage would be located at 500 Washington Street, south of St. John’s Center. The garage would provide support services for Sanitation’s operations in Districts 1, 2, and 5, including a 34,000 gallon refueling station. The salt shed would replace Sanitation’s District 1 garage located at 553 Canal Street. The shed would cover the entire 14,575 sq.ft. lot area.
At the hearing, Sanitation representatives testified that consolidating the three District garages at Washington Street would provide efficient dispersal of sanitation vehicles and allow the City to convert the Gansevoort peninsula garage site into green space. (read more…)
