Sites for applied sciences academic campus include Brooklyn Navy Yard, Roosevelt Island, Governors Island, and Staten Island. The City’s Economic Development Corporation issued a request for expressions of interest from universities, applied sciences organizations, or related institutions regarding the development and operation of a new applied sciences research facility and academic campus in the City. According to EDC, the City is interested in a facility specializing in applied engineering, but it could provide additional programs including environmental science, mathematics, chemistry, and computer science. A facility with a biotech focus is of less interest but would still be considered. The development may include non-academic uses such as faculty and student housing, restaurants and retail spaces to enhance the project’s educational facilities.

Interested developers may propose a privately owned development site, but the City has identified four City-controlled sites as potential locations for the facility. The sites include: the Navy Hospital Campus at Brooklyn Navy Yard; development sites on Governors Island; the Goldwater Hospital Campus on Roosevelt Island; and Farm Colony, Staten Island. If one of the City-controlled sites is chosen, the City would likely offer a 99-year lease to the developer. (read more…)

City is in process of reclaiming property after Citarella failed to fully develop site. The City’s Economic Development Corporation issued a request for expressions of interest for the purchase, redevelopment, and rehabilitation of the former Taystee Bakery complex on West 125th and West 126th Street between Amsterdam and Morningside Avenues in West Harlem.

The 134,000 sq.ft. complex includes an occupied through-block building at 461 West 125th Street and five vacant buildings at 426 through 458 West 126th Street. EDC in 2001 selected gourmet grocer Citarella to rehabilitate the buildings. Citarella opened a grocery at the West 125th Street property, but failed to develop the remaining lots. The State Supreme Court in June 2009 awarded title back to EDC. Citarella challenged the decision and remains title holder of the property pending the outcome of the appeal. (read more…)