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>


New York Botanical Garden Issues Request for Proposals for Major Mixed-Use Development

The request seeks proposals that incorporate a hotel, residential units, and retail space.  On January 19, 2016, the New York Botanical Garden issued a request for proposals to construct a mixed-use development on an “acre-plus parcel” of land that sits at the south-east corner of Webster Avenue and Bedford Park Boulevard, which is directly adjacent to the Botanical Garden’s parking garage.  The development would be part of a larger district-wide transformation that has been underway … <Read More>


City Council Approves Proposed Brooklyn Heights Library Redevelopment Plan With Modifications

The modified proposal provides for a larger Brooklyn Heights library branch, the construction of a new library branch, STEM education laboratories, and additional monetary incentives.  On December 16, 2015, the City Council at its stated meeting voted to approve the Department of Citywide Administrative Services’ and Brooklyn Public Library’s Uniform Land Use Review Procedure application to redevelop the Brooklyn Heights branch of the Brooklyn Public Library.   The Council-approved version of the library redevelopment … <Read More>


City Council Land Use Committee Unanimously Approves New York Wheel Modifications [UPDATE: City Council Approves Modifications]

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 … <Read More>


South Street pier approved

Pier 15, as envisioned by EDC. Image: SHoP Architects PC.

Part of EDC’s East River waterfront plan fell within historic district. The NYC Economic Development Corp. and SHoP Architects PC presented a plan before Landmarks on March 17, 2009, to reconstruct Pier 15 in the South Street Seaport Historic District. The reconstruction is part of the City’s East River Waterfront Esplanade and Piers project, which is planned to stretch for two miles from the Battery … <Read More>