Four-foot tall iron fence blocked access to public plaza. After the Dept. of City Planning received complaints about an obstruction to a public plaza, a Buildings inspector was sent to the site at 733 Park Avenue in Manhattan. The inspector observed a four-foot tall iron fence surrounding the entire plaza and separating the public sidewalk from the garden area and the plaza’s walkways. The inspector issued a violation to the owner, charging it with failing … <Read More>
Search Results for: Zoning Resolution
MoMA skyscraper approved
Commissioners approve proposal, but require additional preservation work for the University Club.
On May 13, 2008, Landmarks voted unanimously to allow Hines Realty to purchase developable air rights from two landmarks: the University Club, located on the corner of West 54th Street and Fifth Avenue; and St. Thomas Church, located at West 53rd Street and Fifth Avenue. The purchase will allow Hines to construct a 75-story mixed-use tower in the vacant mid-block lot adjacent to … <Read More>
SoHo Alliance loses appeal to stop Trump SoHo
BSA allows construction of the controversial hotel to go forward. In September 2007, the New York City Department of Buildings approved plans for the 42-story Trump SoHo condominium hotel, to be located at 246 Spring Street between Varick Street and Sixth Avenue. Because there is a general prohibition against residential developments in the area with the exception of transient hotels, Buildings’ approval required the developers to file a restriction against the property that would prohibit … <Read More>
Union Square Park restaurant on hold
- The City was forced to halt construction on the pavilion at Union Square Park. Photo: Jonathan Reingold.
Judge issued a temporary restraining order, thwarting the City’s plan to install a restaurant in Union Square Park. In 2004, the City announced plans for a $14 million renovation of the entire north end of Union Square Park, with the Union Square Partnership contributing $6 million for the effort.
Under the plan, the park’s pavilion would be renovated … <Read More>
Council modifies street trees and yards specs.
Council Members Tony Avella and Melinda Katz secure exemption for certain one- and two-family homes from new street tree requirements. On April 30, 2008, the City Council modified the Department of City Planning’s proposals to amend the zoning requirements for street trees and yards. The proposals are designed to create green streetscapes, increase open space, and ameliorate storm water runoff problems.
Under the old zoning, property owners were required to plant street trees in a … <Read More>
Group appeals Trump SoHo’s approval
SoHo Alliance seeks BSA intervention to halt construction. On October 26, 2007, the SoHo Alliance Community Group filed an appeal with BSA in an attempt to thwart construction of the Trump SoHo, a 42-story condominium hotel that would be located at 246 Spring Street, between Varick Street and Sixth Avenue. The appeal comes after the Department of Buildings denied the Alliance’s request to revoke approval for the condominium hotel.
Buildings approved the plans for … <Read More>