This article was originally published on Common Edge.
Dozens of neighborhoods in New York City have been upzoned based on contrived, and even false claims made by the city, which promised more diversity, affordable housing, minimum displacement, and other worthy goals. None of those projections materialized, but this is never acknowledged. Worse, the upzoning created the opposite conditions: less diversity, fewer affordable units, and whiter, wealthier neighborhoods. This, too, is never acknowledged. But the damage is done and developers are having their way following the new zoning. Then it’s onto the next neighborhood, with the same approach. Roberta Brandes Gratz explores in her article city planning and city promises in New Tork City, disclosing zoning regulations that lead to the opposite of what they preach.
How a $180 Million Parking Lot Could Change N.Y.C.âs Historic Character
Will a skyscraper at the South Street Seaport set a precedent for development in historic districts?
This parking lot has been protected as a historic landmark since 1977. Now a developer has been given permission to build a tower on it.Credit.Karsten Moran for The New York Times
By Amy Sohn
May 6, 2021
For more than 40 years, real estate developers have been intoxicated by an asphalt trapezoid at 250 Water Street. It has East River proximity, high visibility from the Brooklyn Bridge and the Brooklyn Heights promenade and â as far as open space in downtown Manhattan goes â it is big: nearly 50,000 square feet. But this particular lot, whose spots ran about $20 an hour on weekdays, is in the South Street Seaport Historic District, which means that anyone seeking to build even a toolshed there must first secure permission from the Landmarks Preservation Commission.
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The woman who accused mayoral hopeful Scott Stringer of sexual misconduct
has filed a formal complaint with state Attorney General Tish James, opening a new front after her accusations against the city comptroller
View of the Upper and Lower Promenades, Cafeteria, and South Loggia, Looking South (1936); Images courtesy of Marvel/ NYC Parks/ NYCEDC
The landmarked bathhouse and pavilion at Orchard Beach in the Bronx will be restored to its original 1930s design and become more accessible to the public. The Landmarks Preservation Commission on Tuesday voted to approve plans from architecture firm Marvel, the Parks Department, and the city’s Economic Development Corporation to reconstruct the deteriorating architectural gem. The project includes reinstalling and restoring limestone cladding, repairing the upper-level loggias, adding an ADA accessible ramp, and building an enclosed restaurant or event space.
Smaller Plan For 250 Water Street In South Street Seaport Approved By Landmarks Commission
arrow A rendering of the proposed 25-story building for 250 Water Street as seen from the Brooklyn Bridge. Skidmore Owings & Merrill rendering for Landmarks Preservation Commission
A contentious $850 million proposed development in the South Street Seaport district that was ultimately scaled back due to community opposition won approval from a key city agency Tuesday, according to reports.
The Howard Hughes Corporation’s bid to build a 25-story mixed-use tower at 250 Water Street was approved 6-2 by the Landmarks Preservation Commission, the body that would need to greenlight any proposal in the historic district, the Real Deal reported.