EDC seeks developers to renovate Bush terminal

EDC to accept development proposals for this underused Brooklyn waterfront site. Photo: The New York City Economic Development Corporation.

Proposals due May 21, 2007. The New York City Economic Development Corporation issued a request for proposals on March 26, 2007 seeking developers to purchase and redevelop 130,000 sq.ft. of the Bush Terminal complex, located in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. The site, bound by 43rd and 47th Streets on the north and south and the 51st Street … <Read More>


Sale of former firehouse approved by Commission

Sale limited to community-use buyer. On March 14, 2007, the Planning Commission approved DCAS’ application to sell the lot at 269 Henry Street in Manhattan containing a four-story firehouse used by FDNY Engine Company No. 15 until 2001 when it moved to Pitt and Delancey Streets.

In the land use review process, Community Board 3 and Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer opposed an open-ended sale. Stringer requested a restriction on the sale requiring the new … <Read More>


BSA legalizes New York Sports Club in SoHo

Club opened a 16,000-square-foot location without permits. In June 2006, New York Sports Club received a Department of Buildings decision stating that the manufacturing zoning on its SoHo lot prohibited its proposed gym. Nevertheless, New York Sports Club opened the SoHo location one month later and applied to BSA to legalize the use. The gym, located at 225 Varick Street between Clarkson and West Houston Streets, is 16,741 sq.ft.

At BSA, New York Sports Club … <Read More>


Council limits bulk waiver to Manhattan Comm.Board 7

The proposed height provision had, as approved by the Planning Commission, been applicable citywide. On February 28, 2007, the City Council approved the four linked applications for the mixed-use development of West 60th Street Associates, LLC with significant modifications to the developer’s proposed citywide zoning change on bulk.

West 60th originally proposed a zoning text amendment that would allow developers of general, large-scale developments located in certain commercial districts to modify the height factor calculation, … <Read More>


Board of Estimate vote revisited 16 years later

Landmarks re-designates two City and Suburban Homes buildings carved out from 1990 designation. On November 21, 2006, Landmarks ended the controversial debate over the landmark status of the City and Suburban Homes Company’s First Avenue Estate in Lenox Hill by voting unanimously to amend its landmark status. In 1990, Landmarks unanimously designated all 15 buildings in the First Avenue Estate, a development constructed between 1898 and 1915 over the entire block bounded by East 64th … <Read More>


Former stables trigger West Side landmarking debate

Upper West Side’s Dakota Stables, currently used as a parking garage. Photo: LPC.

Developer had received building permits on historic stable prior to landmarking hearing. On October 17, 2006, Landmarks held hearings to consider the designation of two Upper West Side buildings originally used as livery stables, the Mason or Dakota Stables at 348 Amsterdam Avenue between West 76th and West 77th Streets, and the New York Cab Company Stable at 318 Amsterdam Avenue at … <Read More>