Court orders advance condemnation payment

July 15, 2009

Over one year after City took title of Staten Island property,owner had not received advance payment. As part of the 1989 stormwater management plan developed for Staten Island, the City began acquiring property consisting of stream corridors and wetlands collectively known as the Bluebelt. One property, owned by Ramfis Realty, was part of the eminent domain acquisition approved by the City Council in 2005. Although title had passed to the City in 2008, Ramfis had … <Read More>

Parking lot rules for SI malls sent to Council

June 15, 2009

Subcommittee asks Planning to consider a Citywide proposal in future. On June 4, 2009, the City Council’s Land Use Committee recommended approval of the Department of City Planning’s Cross Access Connection proposal. The plan, which affects all C4-1, C8, and M districts in Staten Island, calls for the creation of cross access connections (driveways) between parking lots adjacent to malls or community facility developments. The proposal is designed to allow cars to go to several … <Read More>

Commercial building allowed in SI special district

April 15, 2009

Applicant claimed that a conforming residential development would not yield a reasonable return given the lot’s irregular shape, location, and sloping grade. Joseph Maza applied to BSA for a variance to build a one-story commercial building with 21 accessory parking spaces at 4553 Arthur Kill Road in Charleston, a Staten Island neighborhood located just north of the Outerbridge Crossing. The site was located within the Special South Richmond Development District, a district established in 1975 … <Read More>

43-story Art Deco skyscraper designated

February 15, 2009

275 Madison Ave. Image: LPC.

1931 building among Texas architect’s diverse body of works. Landmarks voted unanimously to designate 275 Madison Avenue as an individual City landmark on January 13, 2009. The 43-story tower was designed by architect Kenneth Franzheim for Houston banker Jesse H. Jones. Though he made his fortune in banking and real estate development, Jones also served as Chairman of the Reconstruction Finance Corporation and as Secretary of Commerce under President Franklin … <Read More>

St.George rezoning approved by Council

November 15, 2008

Council okays creation of Special St. George District to revitalize waterfront neighborhood. On October 23, 2008, the City Council approved the Department of City Planning’s rezoning proposal for St. George, a densely populated neighborhood located at the northern tip of Staten Island. The proposal builds upon interim rules, … <Read More>

Courthouse, 660-space garage approved

September 15, 2008

: New courthouse and parking garage proposed for Staten Island. Image: Polshek Partnership Architects LLP.

Existing surface parking lot makes way for consolidation of civil and criminal courts. On August 11, 2008, the City Planning Commission approved three applications needed to facilitate construction of the new Staten Island Supreme Courthouse and parking garage. The site, owned by the Department of Transportation, occupies most of the St. George Municipal Parking Field, roughly bounded by Central Avenue, Hyatt … <Read More>