Offering free fitness classes in all five Boroughs of NYC. From aerobics, yoga, pilates and zumba.
Please CLICK HERE to see times and dates. Program starts first week of 2013 in January. Enjoy!
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Free Fitness Classes in NYC! All Five Boroughs
NYC Shape up! A program sponsored by NYC Health, NYC dept of Parks and Recreation, NYC Housing Authority + More!
Offering free fitness classes in all five Boroughs of NYC. From aerobics, yoga, pilates and zumba.
Please CLICK HERE to see times and dates. Program starts first week of 2013 in January. Enjoy!
Offering free fitness classes in all five Boroughs of NYC. From aerobics, yoga, pilates and zumba.
Please CLICK HERE to see times and dates. Program starts first week of 2013 in January. Enjoy!
NYC development HUB generates $1.3 Billion in economic activity
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Buildings Commissioner Robert LiMandri today announced a major expansion of the NYC Development Hub, which has approved more than 330 new buildings and major renovation projects and generated more than $1.3 billion in estimated economic activity in the City since it launched in October 2011. The Development Hub is a state-of-the-art plan review center created to accelerate the construction project approval process by accepting and reviewing digital construction plans. Under a new program, called Hub Self-Service, licensed design professionals can now submit plans and obtain permits online for the smallest construction projects – such as home renovations, office improvements and façade repairs – without leaving their offices. Previously, the Development Hub accepted the submission of major construction projects, and with the use of digital construction plans, virtual conferences and increased collaboration among City officials and industry members, plan examiners from the Department of Buildings approved these construction projects up to three times faster than paper-based plans submitted at one of the Department’s borough offices.
As part of the expansion announced today, design professionals can electronically submit applications for smaller projects, pay the necessary fees electronically and obtain permits online through professional certification. More than 50,000 applications for small projects are submitted for this kind of work each year, and this streamlined online approach is expected to save the building industry up to $50 million per year in labor costs.
“We launched the NYC Development Hub to combine new technology with great customer service to expedite safe construction – and it has surpassed our expectations,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “Now we’re building on its success by allowing plans for tens of thousands of small construction projects to be submitted and approved online, accelerating the building process like never before. The Hub is just the latest example of how we’re using technology to eliminate unnecessary bureaucratic delays, break down silos between agencies and enhance the way City government does business.”
“The NYC Development Hub speeds up the approval process for construction projects, increases business development and creates more jobs for New Yorkers,” said City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn. “By using the latest technology, we’re making sure government regulation doesn’t stand in the way of economic growth and serves our city’s residents faster and better every day.”
“As the world changes how it does business, City government needs to change too,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Cas Holloway.
“The NYC Development Hub has become a model for digital development, getting construction projects off the ground faster by eliminating transaction costs and making government approvals more efficient than ever before.”
“The Bloomberg Administration is committed to doing everything it can to encourage economic development and get New Yorkers back to work faster, and today's announcement is the latest evidence of the City's continued efforts to do business more efficiently,” said Deputy Mayor for Economic Development Robert K. Steel. “Making it easier for businesses and all New Yorkers to interact with their government in ways that are convenient for them is a hallmark of Mayor Bloomberg's economic development strategy.”
“This is yet another step in the Bloomberg Administration's innovative push to make it easier to open, operate and expand businesses in New York City – and continue creating the jobs we need,” said Chief Business Operations Officer Tokumbo Shobowale. “I applaud Commissioner LiMandri and his team for making the dramatically faster Hub service available for smaller construction projects, as well. This is particularly important for the tens of thousands of small businesses in the city for whom time literally is money. Their architects now have the option of not coming into a city office at all to receive the necessary buildings permits – thus saving weeks and weeks of time so they can open their doors to customers sooner.”
“The digital revolution for New York City construction is coming,” said Buildings Commissioner LiMandri. “Accepting digital construction plans has meant faster reviews, faster approvals and better service than at any other time in our history. By expanding the NYC Development Hub to include online permits for smaller construction projects, we’re eliminating the need for 50,000 visits to our borough offices each year. Fewer appointments and shorter lines will increase our efficiency and reduce costs for industry members, leading to more homes, more offices and more jobs for millions of New Yorkers. I would like to commend the members of my staff for their diligent, innovative work in creating a paperless process that has set a new standard for plan reviews nationwide.”
“NYC Parks is delighted to participate in this simultaneous digital plan review by multiple agencies,” said Parks Commissioner Veronica M. White. “One year in, we can already see the benefit to the public and to businesses and partners as problems can be flagged and addressed quickly, making the entire process better and easier for permit applicants.”
“The Hub is an excellent example of how collaboration and cooperation between government and the development community can make tangible improvements in approval processes, decreasing time to construction, bringing more jobs to New York, and promoting information sharing and best practices throughout the industry,” said Steve Spinola, President of the Real Estate Board of New York. “We applaud Mayor Bloomberg and Commissioner LiMandri for having the vision to create the Hub and congratulate the Department of Buildings and the staff of the Hub for a successful inaugural year.”
“By utilizing the Hub we have been able to get our permits exponentially faster, offering us the ability to bring more constructions jobs online expeditiously,” said Bruce A. Beal, President of Related Companies. “We applaud Mayor Bloomberg, Commissioner LiMandri and Deputy Mayor Cas Holloway’s efforts to bring increased efficiency and transparency to the process.”
“The Hub demonstrates how technical intervention can speed up coordinated review processes, turning our architectural drawings into built projects quicker,” said Joseph J. Aliotta, President of theAmerican Institute of Architects New York Chapter. “This extension of the Hub program demonstrates the Bloomberg Administration's ongoing innovation and its understanding of the importance of design in creating our neighborhoods and our city.”
All electronic filings at the Department of Buildings will now be coordinated through the Development Hub in Lower Manhattan, including Hub Self-Service – under which New York State licensed architects and engineers can professionally certify plans for small construction projects – including home alterations and office improvements, also known as Alteration 2 and Alteration 3 applications – without visiting a Department office. Through the Department’s website, applicants can create an online account, complete the necessary electronic forms and upload the proper documents in order to receive an approval and a construction permit. Alteration 2 and 3 applications are typically submitted when there is no change in use, occupancy or egress. Permits for all electrical work, minor plumbing work and renewals for after-hours variance permits also can be obtained online.
All associated fees for these applications – as well as new buildings and major renovation projects submitted at the Development Hub – can now be paid online. Electronic payment systems are another part of the City’s efforts to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of government services. By allowing businesses and their architects to submit plans online, schedule appointments quickly and pay for services remotely, they no longer have to leave their business in the middle of the day to fill out a paper application.
Equipped with large-screen televisions, smart boards and desktop tablets, the Development Hub has accelerated the construction project approval process for the City’s largest – and most complex – projects by allowing licensed architects and engineers to electronically submit documents and drawings. Digital plans are reviewed in teams of plan examiners at the Department of Buildings, increasing the quality and accuracy of the review process. These plans also are uploaded to a secure website where applicants and representatives from six other City agencies, including the Fire Department, the Landmarks Preservation Commission and the Department of Parks and Recreation, can view them together, identify problem areas and mark them up – digitally – in real time. Objections can be discussed by telephone, email and/or video conference, and applicants can submit the revised plans electronically – instead of visiting one of the Department’s offices. The Department also has assisted the six agencies with the creation of their own mini-hubs at their respective offices to further streamline the process.
Operations at the Development Hub are led by Department of Buildings Deputy Commissioner of Development Fred S. Mosher Jr., R.A., who joined the Department in 2011 after serving as Senior Technical Architect at Skidmore Owings & Merrill, one of the leading architectural firms in the City. Since the Development Hub opened in October 2011, 339 construction projects have been approved, including plans for an 84-story apartment building at 440 Park Avenue in Manhattan, which is expected to become the tallest residential tower in New York City.
The creation of the Development Hub is part of the Department’s continuing expansion of its electronic plan review and permitting efforts in order to accelerate the construction project approval process and increase the transparency of construction operations in the City. In April, the Department of Buildings announced a new program to accept three-dimensional, interactive site safety plans for the City’s largest projects, and since February 2011, the Department has placed Quick Response (QR) codes on more than 200,000 construction permits, providing instant data on any project, such as contact information for the property owner and the contractors.
In 2011, plan examiners from the Department of Buildings reviewed more than 450,000 total construction plans submitted by architects and engineers licensed by New York State. During the project approval process, plan examiners typically raise objections when the plans fail to comply with the New York City Construction Codes and the Zoning Resolution, and it is the responsibility of the industry professional to resolve those objections and submit revised plans. Objections can range from safety-related requirements, such as the width of a stairwell and the number of exits, to missing required documents, such as a permit from the Landmarks Preservation Commission that allows the renovation of a landmarked building.
Through the Development Hub, revised plans can be submitted electronically instead of visiting a Department office in person. This paperless procedure reduces the overall number of in-person appointments, provides plan examiners with the ability to review multiple sets of plans simultaneously and speeds up the entire project approval process.
You can find the original contents of this article HERE
Through the Development Hub, revised plans can be submitted electronically instead of visiting a Department office in person. This paperless procedure reduces the overall number of in-person appointments, provides plan examiners with the ability to review multiple sets of plans simultaneously and speeds up the entire project approval process.
You can find the original contents of this article HERE
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Safety tips to prepare construction sites for winter by NYC departmentof buildings commissioner
10 Safety Tips to Prepare Construction Sites for the Winter Season
Buildings Commissioner Robert LiMandri today reminded property owners and contractors to prepare their construction sites for the winter season by implementing basic safety measures. As the cold weather approaches, construction professionals should take the necessary precautions to ensure the safety of their workforce and the public at their construction sites.
Since 2008, the Department has launched several public safety campaigns focused on increasing construction and building safety, including distributing flyers warning against the dangers of illegal conversions and providing 10 tips on how to properly safeguard a construction site during the winter months. Earlier this year, the Department also unveiled a new program to accept three-dimensional site safety plans for the City’s largest construction sites as a new way to improve site safety and coordination among inspectors and contractors.
“Taking proper precautions is the best way to prevent accidents,” said Commissioner LiMandri. “With winter just around the corner, we want to remind all construction professionals that it is imperative to “winterize” their job sites in order to ensure workers and New Yorkers are better protected. These tips should serve as a standard checklist on how to prepare sites for the winter weather so all New Yorkers can have a safe holiday season.”
The Department suggests the following 10 tips for property owners and contractors on how to “winterize” their construction sites:
- Fire safety precautions: Replace wooden access ladders to forming and stripping floors with non-combustible ladders and store materials away from flames. All temporary heating equipment must comply with the New York City Fire Code.
- Safeguarding pipes: Never thaw frozen pipes with a flame, which can cause fires and steam explosions. Carefully thaw frozen areas with a heat gun, heat lamp or space heater.
- Safeguarding a water tank: Make sure to have your roof water tank inspected to ensure it is protected from freezing.
- Debris removal: Remove loose and discarded debris after each work day to ensure materials do not fall or shift to the street level. Remove ice and snow.
- Secure equipment: Secure all construction materials, netting, ladders, chutes and accessories that could shift during inclement weather. Store smaller items in a tool box or container for future use.
- Secure temporary structures: Secure all scaffolding and sidewalk sheds, which are temporary structures that provide overhead protection for pedestrians during construction operations. Secure fencing as well.
- No work in icy conditions: Avoid all work on scaffolds covered in snow, ice or slippery materials, except to remedy to hazardous condition.
- No work in stormy conditions: Avoid all work on or from a scaffold during storms and high winds unless construction workers are protected by a fall-protection system.
- Hoist safety: Avoid using personnel hoists in heavy rain, freezing conditions or winds reaching up to 35 miles per hour. Hoists that have been exposed to winds stronger than 35 miles per hour must be inspected before use.
- Crane safety: Cranes must be properly stored, inspected and maintained at all times – including positioning for inclement weather. Use extra precaution in areas where water and ice may accumulate on the crane, creating a fall hazard or falling ice hazard.
You can find the original written article HERE
Engineering Designs for Fire Alarms - Sprinklers - Mechanical - Plumbing - Electrical - Structural Concrete cast in place & Testing - Demolition - Excavation - Sheeting Shoring and Bracing - Underpinning + More
Architectural Designs for Renovation (Residential & Commercial) - Zoning Calculations - Interior Designs - Change of use - Egress - Occupancy - Enlargement - Extensions - Final Certificate of Occupancy Conversion of 1-2-3-Multiple Family + More
Violations Removal for Department of Buildings (DOB) - HPD - Department of Transportation (DOT) - Fire Department (FDNY) - Department of Sanitation (DOS) - Department of Health & Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) - Environmental Control Board (ECB) + More
Expediting for all city agencies - DOB - FDNY - DOT - ECB - Department of Finance (DOF) - Landmarks + More
We offer all housing & building services: PLUMBERS - LICENSED CONTRACTORS - DEVELOPERS - PERMITS + MORE.
CALL US (347)- 968- 3777 FOR CONSULTATION
Email us NycBuildingSolutions@Gmail.com 24/7
http://NYC-BuildingSolutions.com/
https://twitter.com/NYCBuildingCorp
www.facebook.com/NycBuildingSolutions
Buildings Commissioner Robert LiMandri today reminded property owners and contractors to prepare their construction sites for the winter season by implementing basic safety measures. As the cold weather approaches, construction professionals should take the necessary precautions to ensure the safety of their workforce and the public at their construction sites.
Since 2008, the Department has launched several public safety campaigns focused on increasing construction and building safety, including distributing flyers warning against the dangers of illegal conversions and providing 10 tips on how to properly safeguard a construction site during the winter months. Earlier this year, the Department also unveiled a new program to accept three-dimensional site safety plans for the City’s largest construction sites as a new way to improve site safety and coordination among inspectors and contractors.
“Taking proper precautions is the best way to prevent accidents,” said Commissioner LiMandri. “With winter just around the corner, we want to remind all construction professionals that it is imperative to “winterize” their job sites in order to ensure workers and New Yorkers are better protected. These tips should serve as a standard checklist on how to prepare sites for the winter weather so all New Yorkers can have a safe holiday season.”
The Department suggests the following 10 tips for property owners and contractors on how to “winterize” their construction sites:
- Fire safety precautions: Replace wooden access ladders to forming and stripping floors with non-combustible ladders and store materials away from flames. All temporary heating equipment must comply with the New York City Fire Code.
- Safeguarding pipes: Never thaw frozen pipes with a flame, which can cause fires and steam explosions. Carefully thaw frozen areas with a heat gun, heat lamp or space heater.
- Safeguarding a water tank: Make sure to have your roof water tank inspected to ensure it is protected from freezing.
- Debris removal: Remove loose and discarded debris after each work day to ensure materials do not fall or shift to the street level. Remove ice and snow.
- Secure equipment: Secure all construction materials, netting, ladders, chutes and accessories that could shift during inclement weather. Store smaller items in a tool box or container for future use.
- Secure temporary structures: Secure all scaffolding and sidewalk sheds, which are temporary structures that provide overhead protection for pedestrians during construction operations. Secure fencing as well.
- No work in icy conditions: Avoid all work on scaffolds covered in snow, ice or slippery materials, except to remedy to hazardous condition.
- No work in stormy conditions: Avoid all work on or from a scaffold during storms and high winds unless construction workers are protected by a fall-protection system.
- Hoist safety: Avoid using personnel hoists in heavy rain, freezing conditions or winds reaching up to 35 miles per hour. Hoists that have been exposed to winds stronger than 35 miles per hour must be inspected before use.
- Crane safety: Cranes must be properly stored, inspected and maintained at all times – including positioning for inclement weather. Use extra precaution in areas where water and ice may accumulate on the crane, creating a fall hazard or falling ice hazard.
You can find the original written article HERE
Engineering Designs for Fire Alarms - Sprinklers - Mechanical - Plumbing - Electrical - Structural Concrete cast in place & Testing - Demolition - Excavation - Sheeting Shoring and Bracing - Underpinning + More
Architectural Designs for Renovation (Residential & Commercial) - Zoning Calculations - Interior Designs - Change of use - Egress - Occupancy - Enlargement - Extensions - Final Certificate of Occupancy Conversion of 1-2-3-Multiple Family + More
Violations Removal for Department of Buildings (DOB) - HPD - Department of Transportation (DOT) - Fire Department (FDNY) - Department of Sanitation (DOS) - Department of Health & Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) - Environmental Control Board (ECB) + More
Expediting for all city agencies - DOB - FDNY - DOT - ECB - Department of Finance (DOF) - Landmarks + More
We offer all housing & building services: PLUMBERS - LICENSED CONTRACTORS - DEVELOPERS - PERMITS + MORE.
CALL US (347)- 968- 3777 FOR CONSULTATION
Email us NycBuildingSolutions@Gmail.com 24/7
http://NYC-BuildingSolutions.com/
https://twitter.com/NYCBuildingCorp
www.facebook.com/NycBuildingSolutions
Sunday, December 2, 2012
NYC ECB (Environmental Control Board) Settlement offer
At time of a closing, refinancing, or purchasing a property in NYC, a property may have all these ECB fines with interests added with time; hundreds, even thousands of dollars can be waisted.
NYC Building Solutions is proud to announce to the public that we're able to do settlement offers on ALL ECB (Environmental Control Board) violations.
ECB violations given by the department of buildings, sanitation, FDNY (fire department), HPD, DEP (department of environmental protection), & more.
Settlements can be done with 1-3 days, please contact us for more information (347)-968-3777
Engineering Designs for Fire Alarms - Sprinklers - Mechanical - Plumbing - Electrical - Structural Foundation Plan - Demolition - Excavation - Sheeting Shoring and Bracing - Underpinning + More
NYC Building Solutions is proud to announce to the public that we're able to do settlement offers on ALL ECB (Environmental Control Board) violations.
ECB violations given by the department of buildings, sanitation, FDNY (fire department), HPD, DEP (department of environmental protection), & more.
Settlements can be done with 1-3 days, please contact us for more information (347)-968-3777
Engineering Designs for Fire Alarms - Sprinklers - Mechanical - Plumbing - Electrical - Structural Foundation Plan - Demolition - Excavation - Sheeting Shoring and Bracing - Underpinning + More
Architectural Designs
for Renovation (Residential & Commercial) - Zoning Calculations -
Interior Designs - Change of use - Egress - Occupancy - Enlargement -
Extensions - Final Certificate of Occupancy Conversion of
1-2-3-Multiple Family + More
Violations Removal for
Department of Buildings (DOB) - HPD - Department of Transportation
(DOT) - Fire Department (FDNY) - Department of Sanitation (DOS) -
Department of Health & Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) - Environmental
Control Board (ECB) + More
Expediting for all city agencies - DOB - FDNY - DOT - ECB - Department of Finance (DOF) - Landmarks + More
We offer all housing & building services: PLUMBERS - LICENSED CONTRACTORS - DEVELOPERS - PERMITS + MORE.
CALL US (347)- 968- 3777 FOR CONSULTATION
Email us Info@NycBuildingSolutions.com
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
NYC to add scan Codes to restaurant grades
Soon the answer will be a smartphone click away.
Under a bill passed by the City Council yesterday, city agencies will be required to attach scannable codes, such as Quick Response markers, to permits, licenses and registrations they issue so anyone with a smartphone can instantly download all the dirty details.
Patrons who spot a poor rating in a restaurant window will be able to find its permit, which must be publicly displayed, and scan the QR code to get the details behind the grade.
Widely available decoder apps allow smartphone users to read QR and other bar codes by taking a pictures of them.
But the code won’t be on the letter grade itself, one official pointed out.
The bill, sponsored by Councilman Dan Garodnick (D-Manhattan), passed in a 46-0 vote yesterday.
The bar codes are mandated when an agency provides more information on its Web site than it does on the publicly posted permit.
The law would take effect a year after Mayor Bloomberg signs it.
City officials endorse the idea but say it would affect only a handful of agencies, including the Health and Buildings departments and the Parks Department, which regulates food carts.
But Garodnick said the law’s impact would expand as more agencies make records available online.
“I think that’s true today,” he said of the law’ s limitations. “I don’t think that’s true for the future.”
First on the list will be the Health Department, a repository of all sorts of useful information, from widely publicized restaurant cleanliness grades to day-care center inspection results.
Restaurant grades have to be prominently displayed, usually in the window. Permits have to be posted only in public view, which could mean behind the bar or above the cash register.
Garodnick said that shouldn’t be an issue because owners will be slapped with fines if they get sneaky.
Council Speaker Christine Quinn said the one-click technology would help residents “make smart, informed choices and also help us monitor what’s going on in the city.”
Without prodding from the council, the Buildings Department in February 2011 added QR codes to permits at construction sites.
Garodnick said he decided to enact legislation after the council enacted an open-disclosure law forcing city agencies to post on the Internet all nonconfidential or proprietary data and the administration was being “resistant” to adding the bar codes.
You can find the original contents of this article HERE
Thursday, June 14, 2012
NYC Grand Central Area for possible Rezoning
New York City Planning positions East Midtown for upzoning.
The new zoning pays particluar attenition to the Grand Central area.
Tom Stoelker / AN
The last major rezoning push by the Bloomberg
Administration in Manhattan could be upzoning the grand dames around
Park, Madison and Grand Central. On June 6, the Department of City
Planning (DCP) went to Community Boards 5 and 6 to open the discussion
on East Midtown, a-yet-to-be-defined business district surrounding Grand
Central. While Midtown is hardly a tabula rasa along the lines of
Hudson Yards or the World Trade Center, rezoning has the potential,
according to Edith Hsu-Chen, director of DCP’s Manhattan office, to
“seed” a healthy amount of new development for the next ten, 20, or 30
years, while boosting the value of one of the world’s premier office
addresses.
At least one developer has already taken notice. Earlier this month The Wall Street Journal reported that SL Green, one of the city’s largest commercial property owners with more than 25 million square feet of office space throughout Manhattan, has assembled a one-block parcel right next door to Grand Central between Madison and Vanderbilt on 42nd Street to be developed in a joint venture with architect-savvy developer Hines. The company has already rehabbed several old buildings in East Midtown, including 62-year-old 100 Park Avenue, which sports 14 green rooftops and LEED Silver certification. “If we don’t do something now,” Mary Anne Tighe, the powerful broker and CBRE chief officer has said, “in the fullness of time we might find these areas have become orphans.”
Edward Piccinich, SL Green's executive vice president of property
management and construction, appears to be in it for the long haul, but
not without concern about the next Planning Commission. “Whoever goes in
[to Midtown] is going to have to work in a very strategic way, whether
it’s coordinating with the MTA, mixed-use development, or circulation,”
he said. “It’s not just about creating a plaza.”
Developing East Midtown will not be for the harried or the faint of heart. The applicable zoning codes in the area are a paralyzing mess of contradictory allowances. The 1961 zoning law implemented floor area ratios, or FARs, in many cases tighter than what was already built. In 1982 a Special Midtown District was created to restrict FAR in an attempt to shift development west to help Times Square. The plan worked all too well and development in eastern Midtown slowed. Then in 1992 the Grand Central Subdistrict—from 41st to 48th streets and between Madison and Lexington avenues—was created to allow for air right transfers from Grand Central Terminal and other area landmarks to new developments nearby.
The average permitted FAR in Midtown East is 12 to 15, but in the
Grand Central Subdistrict it can be as much as 21.6 FAR. The problem for
developers is if they want to tear down an obsolete pre-1961 tower of,
say, 21FAR, they can only build it back up to a post-1961 zoning
allowance of about 15FAR.
And yet, in spite of the failed 1992 incentives, the still-in-place 1982 disincentives, and the added turn-offs of subway improvement requirements, mandated plazas, and a very public review process, the area still commands top dollar, although the study (don’t call it a plan yet) presented at Community Board 5 noted that there’s been just 0.06 percent annual growth rate in the past decade.
The new zoning will likely allow a 21.6 FAR with out any of the current constraints. It will also likely allow a massing cluster near Grand Central—where the taller buildings already exist, but are considered by many developers to be outdated and beyond renovation. Piccinich notes that many of today’s office tenants are looking for column-free continuous office floor plates, which are rare in buildings built before 1960.
The planning department's study also pays extensive attention to pedestrian circulation and mass transit below grade. Any changes there would require intense coordination with the MTA. By 2019 Long Island Rail Road’s East Side Access project will be funneling a horde of LIRR commuters through the same MTA tunnels that Metro North passengers use. Hsu-Chen said an already existing bottleneck at the subway turnstiles has got to be part of the conversation, too.
With world-class congestion below grade, it’s almost perverse to note
the desolate quality of Vanderbilt Avenue. This dank but grand old side
street was left adrift when 9/11 put a stop to the taxi drop-offs at
the Vanderbilt Entrance to Grand Central. The site has obvious potential
for a DOT plaza.
Upzoning has its champions, but the concerns are many. Preservationists were already gunning at the proposal months ago. But even Simeon Bankoff, executive director of the Historic District Council, acknowledged the area needs help. “They’ve always had tall buildings around [Grand Central],” he said, adding that the real problems have to do with infrastructure and pedestrian circulation. “I hope they don’t do too many slabbed plazas,” he added.
The main objection voiced at CB5 and by opponents is that there are millions of square feet of brand new office space to be leased at the World Trade Center and at Hudson Yards. Planning’s Hsu-Chen stated the obvious: Planning’s job is to plan. The implication was that Bloomberg’s time is running out and the Commission cannot wait until Hudson Yards and World Trade Center are leased before taking action on Midtown.
Written by Tom Stoelker
You can view the original contents of this article HERE
At least one developer has already taken notice. Earlier this month The Wall Street Journal reported that SL Green, one of the city’s largest commercial property owners with more than 25 million square feet of office space throughout Manhattan, has assembled a one-block parcel right next door to Grand Central between Madison and Vanderbilt on 42nd Street to be developed in a joint venture with architect-savvy developer Hines. The company has already rehabbed several old buildings in East Midtown, including 62-year-old 100 Park Avenue, which sports 14 green rooftops and LEED Silver certification. “If we don’t do something now,” Mary Anne Tighe, the powerful broker and CBRE chief officer has said, “in the fullness of time we might find these areas have become orphans.”
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SL Green's recently assembled parcel at
42nd and Vanderbilt (left) and the firm's 100 Park renovated by
architects MOed de armas and shannon (right).
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Developing East Midtown will not be for the harried or the faint of heart. The applicable zoning codes in the area are a paralyzing mess of contradictory allowances. The 1961 zoning law implemented floor area ratios, or FARs, in many cases tighter than what was already built. In 1982 a Special Midtown District was created to restrict FAR in an attempt to shift development west to help Times Square. The plan worked all too well and development in eastern Midtown slowed. Then in 1992 the Grand Central Subdistrict—from 41st to 48th streets and between Madison and Lexington avenues—was created to allow for air right transfers from Grand Central Terminal and other area landmarks to new developments nearby.
SL Green's reclad 100 Park reflects 99 Park, a building designed by Emery Roth & Sons, 1953.
And yet, in spite of the failed 1992 incentives, the still-in-place 1982 disincentives, and the added turn-offs of subway improvement requirements, mandated plazas, and a very public review process, the area still commands top dollar, although the study (don’t call it a plan yet) presented at Community Board 5 noted that there’s been just 0.06 percent annual growth rate in the past decade.
The new zoning will likely allow a 21.6 FAR with out any of the current constraints. It will also likely allow a massing cluster near Grand Central—where the taller buildings already exist, but are considered by many developers to be outdated and beyond renovation. Piccinich notes that many of today’s office tenants are looking for column-free continuous office floor plates, which are rare in buildings built before 1960.
The planning department's study also pays extensive attention to pedestrian circulation and mass transit below grade. Any changes there would require intense coordination with the MTA. By 2019 Long Island Rail Road’s East Side Access project will be funneling a horde of LIRR commuters through the same MTA tunnels that Metro North passengers use. Hsu-Chen said an already existing bottleneck at the subway turnstiles has got to be part of the conversation, too.
The Bleak VANDERBILT avenue during morning Rush: June 14, 8:45AM.
Upzoning has its champions, but the concerns are many. Preservationists were already gunning at the proposal months ago. But even Simeon Bankoff, executive director of the Historic District Council, acknowledged the area needs help. “They’ve always had tall buildings around [Grand Central],” he said, adding that the real problems have to do with infrastructure and pedestrian circulation. “I hope they don’t do too many slabbed plazas,” he added.
The main objection voiced at CB5 and by opponents is that there are millions of square feet of brand new office space to be leased at the World Trade Center and at Hudson Yards. Planning’s Hsu-Chen stated the obvious: Planning’s job is to plan. The implication was that Bloomberg’s time is running out and the Commission cannot wait until Hudson Yards and World Trade Center are leased before taking action on Midtown.
Written by Tom Stoelker
You can view the original contents of this article HERE
Willets Point (Queens NY) the new highlight of Corona - Flushing
The retain and entertainment complex to abut the west side of Citi Field.
Mayor Bloomberg evoked Fitzgerald today when he announced the deal between Sterling Equities and Related Companies to revamp Willets Point. “Today the ‘valley of ashes’ is well on its way to becoming the site of historic private investment,” the mayor said in a statement, referring to the gritty midpoint between Gatsby’s West Egg manse and Manhattan. The plan pegs its success to a mega entertainment/retail hub just west of the stadium, that sounds very much a part of a trend in projects that used to be called malls, but are now called retail/entertainment attractions (see also the aptly named American Dream in NJ).
The 126th Street corridor east of Citifield will be home to the hotel and more retail.
Another view of the 126th Street corrider.
That the housing comes so late in the game has got more than few politians up up in arms. The Daily News reported early this week that City Coucilmember Karen Koslowitz was not pleased. It’s a pretty sensitive topic that was initially raises in The Wall Street Journal last month, which cited Willets Point and Atlantic Yards as examples of where housing was used to win favor with the locals but ends up being the last component of the project scheduled for completion.
You can View the original contents on this article HERE
New York City. Leading the way in job creation in all of the United States
Through NYCEDC’s various projects, programs and initiatives, we’re helping create jobs throughout the five boroughs. From development and construction to affordable incubator spaces that nurture startups, from various types of funding to training programs, competitions, and neighborhood improvements, find out what we’re doing to help nurture businesses that create new jobs and fuel our economy.
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Job Creation by Industry
Fashion
- New York City’s fashion industry employs 173,000 people, accounting for 5.7% of the City’s workforce and generating nearly $10 billion in total wages with tax revenues of $1.7 billion (source: US Department of Labor).
- Given that proximity to factories is critical for designers, NYC remains a robust fashion manufacturing center. Fashion manufacturing represents 31% of all manufacturing jobs in NYC (source: Fashion.NYC.2020 Report).
- Design Entrepreneurs NYC: Free, intensive "mini-MBA" program that equips select fashion designers with the skills they need to successfully run a fashion label.
- Fashion Campus NYC: Free education and networking program to help interested university-level interns jump-start their careers on the business side of NYC's fashion industry.
- Fashion Draft NYC: Talent recruitment program that aims to connect business-minded college seniors with management-track positions at some of NYC's top fashion firms.
- CFDA Fashion Incubator: Operated by CFDA, the incubator offers low-cost studio space for up to 12 emerging fashion designers.
- Learn more about Fashion.NYC.2020 to see how NYCEDC is ensuring New York City's position as the global leader in fashion.
Construction
- Want to see all NYCEDC Projects? Check out our list of NYCEDC Projects or locate them on our Interactive Map of Projects. Find the latest NYCEDC real estate development opportunities or join our interested subcontractors list.
Medical
- The New York metropolitan area has the largest scientific and healthcare workforce in the country, which accounts for 427,300 jobs. (source: US Department of Labor)
- Small Business Innovative Research: NYCEDC offers training workshops to help bioscience companies in New York City acquire funding and grants from the National Institute of Health (NIH) and Department of Defense (DoD).
- Learn more about the emerging NYC bioscience cluster.
- Download the Bioscience Incentives Guide to see how NYC is continuing to attract and build great life sciences companies.
Tech
- The tech hub in NYC is growing rapidly. In the last five years, information technology jobs in the City have increased by 28.7 percent. (source: Center for an Urban Future, New Tech City)
- General Assembly, Hive at 55, DUMBO Incubator: Workspaces for technology startups, media freelancers, and the Brooklyn digital/tech community.
- NYC BigApps Competition: Annual competition for individuals or companies to develop online mobile applications that utilize official City datasets.
- NYC Media Lab: Partnership to encourage collaboration between academic institutions undertaking research and companies looking to advance new media technologies.
- Applied Sciences: Groundbreaking citywide initiative to build engineering campuses to dramatically increase NYC's capacity in the applied sciences to maintain our global competitiveness.
- Learn more about Media.NYC.2020: The City's suite of initiatives aimed at strengthening and growing the media and technology sectors in New York City.
- Read the Media.NYC.2020 Report to see how NYCEDC is ensuring New York City's position as the global leader in media and tech.
Higher Education
- The higher education industry employs over 120,000 people and makes up 4.1% of the City's workforce. (source: Industry Snapshot Profiles)
- Build NYC: Facilitates access to tax-exempt bond financing for not-for-profit organizations, including educational institutions.
- Applied Sciences: Cornell/Technion will build a world-class applied sciences and engineering campus on Roosevelt Island, and NYU will lead a consortium to create the Center for Urban Science and Progress in Downtown Brooklyn.
- Read the Edutech.NYC.2020 Report to see how NYCEDC is implementing initiatives to support this emerging industry sector that applies innovative technology to deliver learner-centric, personalized educational methods.
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Mayor Bloomberg Announces Deal to Transform Willets Point (Queens NY)
Mayor Bloomberg Announces Historic Deal to Transform Willets Point Into A Vibrant Destination and Mixed-Use Community
Mayor
Michael Bloomberg and Queens Development Group, a joint venture between
Sterling Equities, Inc. and Related Companies today announced the
development plans for transforming long-blighted Willets Point into a
dynamic mixed-use neighborhood and destination. The historic realization
of this community-driven vision, approved by the New York City Council
in 2008, is the culmination of more than 50 years of development efforts
and has been more than a decade in the making.
The Queens Development Group agreement will result in construction as originally envisioned in the Special Willets Point Zoning District and Urban Renewal Plan, but there will be additional environmental remediation on even more acreage than was originally envisioned, and the plan will activate significant acreage on both sides of Citi Field to create a true center of economic growth for Queens. The Mayor outlined the plans at a breakfast hosted by the Queens Chamber of Commerce, where he was joined by Sterling Equities Executive Vice President Jeffrey Wilpon, Related Companies President Jeff Blau, Deputy Mayor for Economic Development Robert K. Steel, New York City Economic Development Corporation President Seth Pinsky, Queens Borough President Helen Marshall, and Congressman Joseph Crowley.
“At Willets Point, where others have seen challenges, we have always seen enormous opportunities,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “Today the ‘valley of ashes’ is well on its way to becoming the site of historic private investment, major job creation and unprecedented environmental remediation. Investing in infrastructure and laying the groundwork for private investment are hallmarks of our Administration’s economic development strategy, and projects like this one are part of the reason our economy is doing better than the rest of the country.”
“From the earliest days of his Administration, Mayor Bloomberg has been focused on bringing jobs and investment to all five boroughs, and with today’s historic announcement that's exactly what he's doing again in Queens,” Deputy Mayor Steel said. “This project will transform a long-neglected neighborhood that will now link Flushing and Corona and – importantly – clean up toxic sites that damage New York’s waterfront.”
“We are thrilled to have been selected by the City to advance the Mayor and the administration’s vision to rejuvenate Willets Point and completely transform a 23 acre dilapidated area into a stunning new mixed use neighborhood, which will become a destination and serve as a catalyst for future development and investment. We commend Mayor Bloomberg for his steadfast commitment to redevelop Willets Point which will benefit the borough’s economy with 12,000 union construction jobs and 7,100 permanent jobs in the initial phase alone. We look forward to working with the administration, EDC, local elected officials and the community as the development moves forward,” said Jeff Wilpon, EVP of Sterling Equities, Inc., and Jeff Blau, President of Related Companies, the joint venture partner entities of Queens Development Group.
“Today’s announcement marks the beginning of a clear and achievable plan for the new Willets Point,” said New York City Economic Development President Seth W. Pinsky. “As a result of this historic project, an area that for decades was in desperate need of new infrastructure and remediation will be transformed into a dynamic community for future generations, creating thousands of jobs and increased economic activity that will benefit Queens and the entire city for years to come.”
The Queens Development Group will acquire an initial 23 acres in the Special Willets Point District to the east of Citi Field to begin build-out of Phase 1 and will create a retail and entertainment attraction to the west of Citi Field, allowing for a more comprehensive and continuous transit-oriented development around access to the Mets/Willets Point stops on the 7 Train and Long Island Rail Road. Ultimately, the plan will unlock over 5 million square feet of new development in a unified district, transforming a contaminated area into a new neighborhood. The build-out will include retail, hotel and commercial uses to complement a residential community of 2,500 housing units, of which 875 units will be affordable. The expanded vision will infuse $3 billion of private investment into the local economy and create 7,100 permanent jobs and 12,000 direct construction jobs with MWBE and local hiring goals of 25 percent. During construction, the project will generate over $310 million in new tax revenue, and once operational will account for over $150 million in new annual tax revenue.
In the coming months, the City and the Queens Development Group will begin the process of updating the existing environmental impact statement and amending the zoning text needed to advance the plan, allowing for the subsequent remediation of 23 acres of contaminated land in Willets Point, which is critical to future development on the site. The City will provide almost $100 million in capital funds towards demolition, remediation, infrastructure and permanent improvements to the land to expedite the project.
Upon completion of the offsite infrastructure and remediation projects, the Queens Development Group will continue the transformation of the area by activating the 126th Street corridor with a 200-room hotel and 30,000 square feet of retail and restaurants. This step also includes an interim 20-acre surface parking area that would be converted to recreational space 183 days per year during both the MLB off-season period and during certain in-season road trips by the Mets. Anticipated recreational uses would include modular athletic fields and community open space designed by the architects of Citi Field. This public recreation zone, with uses to be developed through community input, could include amenities such as soccer fields, basketball courts, ice skating, and a multi-sport bubble.
Willets West, the new component of the project, will be to the immediate west of Citi Field and will convert a stadium parking lot into a one million-square-foot-retail and entertainment center, complete with over 200 retail stores of all sizes, movie theaters, restaurants, entertainment venues, a parking structure and surface parking for 2,500 cars and grand public spaces with year-round programming. This development, combined with the initial activation of 126th Street, will entail $1 billion of private investment, create 4,200 unionized construction jobs and 2,700 permanent jobs, and bring in $84 million in tax revenue during construction and $62 million in annual tax revenue upon completion.
Following this, the culmination of Phase 1 of Willets Point will result in the first 4.5 million square feet of mixed-use development for the new Willets Point Community. This will include the construction of the new Van Wyck Expressway Access Ramps, for which the City received approval from the Federal Highway Administration and the New York State Department of Transportation in March of this year. The ramps, which the City has committed capital out-year funding for, will be critical to enabling better access to the area. Once complete, this first portion of the new Willets Point neighborhood will include 2,500 housing units, 35% of which will be affordable, 900,000 square feet of street-level retail serving the community, and 500,000 square feet of office space serving Queens businesses. It will also feature an additional 280 hotel rooms (for a total of 480) and more than five acres of public space.
Work is progressing on schedule for the critical offsite infrastructure including construction of a sanitary sewer main and reconstruction of a storm sewer and outfall that the City broke ground on in December 2011. These $50 million in improvements support the historic redevelopment of Willets Point, which currently lacks this basic infrastructure, and provides over 350 construction or construction-related jobs. Both sewers will be completed in 2013 with the construction primarily occurring between the months of October through March to prevent any impacts during the baseball season at Citi Field.
“As a long-term advocate for the improvement of Willets Point, I am pleased that this plan will advance its transformation,” said Queens Borough President Helen Marshall. “The plan will also create almost 10,000 much-needed construction jobs and more than 7,000 permanent jobs.”
“I am so pleased Mayor Bloomberg is our partner in Queens’ renaissance,” said Congressman Crowley. “From the redevelopment of Willets Point, to the expansion and modernization of the US Tennis Center at Flushing Meadows, to the creation of a new high-tech campus at Roosevelt Island, these ambitious plans will create jobs, boost our economy, and improve the lives of the 2.2 million residents of Queens County.”
“As a long time advocate of economic growth and job creation for Queens, I am excited about this $3 billion investment by Related Companies and Sterling Equities,” said State Senator Jose Peralta. “The 12,000 union construction job created will be an important boost to the residents of Queens County.”
“The long awaited development should be a major boon for the surrounding Queens communities,” said Assemblymember Michael Simanowitz. “This important revitalization has the potential to create thousands of union construction jobs and permanent jobs. I look forward to working with the City and the community to ensure that this vital project produces great results for our community.”
“Willets Point has the potential to be a great project and I look forward to the public review process and engaging with the administration and all of the relevant stakeholders to ensure that the project meets the needs of my community,” said Council Member Julissa Ferreras.
“Today’s announcement unveils an exciting new chapter in Mayor Bloomberg's five-borough economic development plan,” Steven Spinola, President of the Real Estate Board of New York said. “The plans put forward by Related and Sterling Equities will result in much needed jobs, housing and retail and entertainment opportunities. As a result of today's announcement, Willets Point will be a great, new exciting destination in New York City - a thought that has been unimaginable for far too long.”
“Today’s announcement of the initial phase of development at Willets Point will not only create 12,000 union construction jobs for hard-working men and women across the five-boroughs, but it will transform an underutilized contaminated area into an economic engine for the borough of Queens,” said Gary LaBarbera, president of the Building and Construction Trades Council. “I want to commend Mayor Bloomberg and his administration for their vision and their commitment to job creation.”
“The Willets Point plan is a historic redevelopment effort that will transform an area previous generations have sought to change and improve,” said Peter Ward, President New York Hotel & Motel Trades Council. “Not only will it clean up the environment and improve the quality of nearby waterways, this project will create thousands of good jobs. We applaud Mayor Bloomberg, Related and Sterling Equities for committing to make sure that any hospitality project at Willets will pay good wages and provide real benefits like healthcare and retirement security.”
“The plan to redevelop Willets Point shows the tremendous potential for our city when public and private sectors work in collaboration with unions on development projects,” said Mike Fishman, President of 32BJ SEIU. “This project promises to create thousands of the kinds of good-paying jobs that working people need to support their families and which New York needs to ensure a broadly shared prosperity.”
“The plan to transform Willets Point from Queens’ biggest eyesore to one of the centers of economic growth in our city is exactly the kind of sustainable development New York City needs,” said Kathryn Wylde, President & CEO of the Partnership for New York City. “This project will lead the way in revitalizing and expanding Queens’ economy and will create thousands of jobs at a time when they are most needed.”
The Mayor additionally announced that the City has made considerable progress in acquiring property through negotiated acquisitions with area business owners and now has control of or agreements to acquire approximately 95 percent of the land needed to proceed with this project. The City will provide relocation assistance to businesses, with relocation of businesses in the Phase 1 area occurring prior to the start of construction.
Additionally, professional development and skills training is available to the area’s employees through the Worker Assistance Program, administered by LaGuardia Community College, which has enrolled over 550 participants enrolled since its inception.
Additional phases of the full 62-acre Willets Point Redevelopment Plan remain unchanged, with the overall development of Willets Point allowing for up to 5,500 units of housing, a convention center and a central 8-acre park.
Proposal by the Queens Development Group, a
Joint Venture of Sterling Equities and Related Companies, Will Unlock
Over Five Million Square Feet of New Development and Create 7,100
Permanent Jobs and 12,000 Construction Jobs
Plan Includes Remediation of 23 Acres of a Long-Contaminated Site, Activation of 126th Street, and Creation of a New Dynamic Retail and Entertainment Destination
Mayor Also Announces City Has Acquired 95 Percent of Land Required for Project to Move Forward
The Queens Development Group agreement will result in construction as originally envisioned in the Special Willets Point Zoning District and Urban Renewal Plan, but there will be additional environmental remediation on even more acreage than was originally envisioned, and the plan will activate significant acreage on both sides of Citi Field to create a true center of economic growth for Queens. The Mayor outlined the plans at a breakfast hosted by the Queens Chamber of Commerce, where he was joined by Sterling Equities Executive Vice President Jeffrey Wilpon, Related Companies President Jeff Blau, Deputy Mayor for Economic Development Robert K. Steel, New York City Economic Development Corporation President Seth Pinsky, Queens Borough President Helen Marshall, and Congressman Joseph Crowley.
“At Willets Point, where others have seen challenges, we have always seen enormous opportunities,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “Today the ‘valley of ashes’ is well on its way to becoming the site of historic private investment, major job creation and unprecedented environmental remediation. Investing in infrastructure and laying the groundwork for private investment are hallmarks of our Administration’s economic development strategy, and projects like this one are part of the reason our economy is doing better than the rest of the country.”
“From the earliest days of his Administration, Mayor Bloomberg has been focused on bringing jobs and investment to all five boroughs, and with today’s historic announcement that's exactly what he's doing again in Queens,” Deputy Mayor Steel said. “This project will transform a long-neglected neighborhood that will now link Flushing and Corona and – importantly – clean up toxic sites that damage New York’s waterfront.”
“We are thrilled to have been selected by the City to advance the Mayor and the administration’s vision to rejuvenate Willets Point and completely transform a 23 acre dilapidated area into a stunning new mixed use neighborhood, which will become a destination and serve as a catalyst for future development and investment. We commend Mayor Bloomberg for his steadfast commitment to redevelop Willets Point which will benefit the borough’s economy with 12,000 union construction jobs and 7,100 permanent jobs in the initial phase alone. We look forward to working with the administration, EDC, local elected officials and the community as the development moves forward,” said Jeff Wilpon, EVP of Sterling Equities, Inc., and Jeff Blau, President of Related Companies, the joint venture partner entities of Queens Development Group.
“Today’s announcement marks the beginning of a clear and achievable plan for the new Willets Point,” said New York City Economic Development President Seth W. Pinsky. “As a result of this historic project, an area that for decades was in desperate need of new infrastructure and remediation will be transformed into a dynamic community for future generations, creating thousands of jobs and increased economic activity that will benefit Queens and the entire city for years to come.”
The Queens Development Group will acquire an initial 23 acres in the Special Willets Point District to the east of Citi Field to begin build-out of Phase 1 and will create a retail and entertainment attraction to the west of Citi Field, allowing for a more comprehensive and continuous transit-oriented development around access to the Mets/Willets Point stops on the 7 Train and Long Island Rail Road. Ultimately, the plan will unlock over 5 million square feet of new development in a unified district, transforming a contaminated area into a new neighborhood. The build-out will include retail, hotel and commercial uses to complement a residential community of 2,500 housing units, of which 875 units will be affordable. The expanded vision will infuse $3 billion of private investment into the local economy and create 7,100 permanent jobs and 12,000 direct construction jobs with MWBE and local hiring goals of 25 percent. During construction, the project will generate over $310 million in new tax revenue, and once operational will account for over $150 million in new annual tax revenue.
In the coming months, the City and the Queens Development Group will begin the process of updating the existing environmental impact statement and amending the zoning text needed to advance the plan, allowing for the subsequent remediation of 23 acres of contaminated land in Willets Point, which is critical to future development on the site. The City will provide almost $100 million in capital funds towards demolition, remediation, infrastructure and permanent improvements to the land to expedite the project.
Upon completion of the offsite infrastructure and remediation projects, the Queens Development Group will continue the transformation of the area by activating the 126th Street corridor with a 200-room hotel and 30,000 square feet of retail and restaurants. This step also includes an interim 20-acre surface parking area that would be converted to recreational space 183 days per year during both the MLB off-season period and during certain in-season road trips by the Mets. Anticipated recreational uses would include modular athletic fields and community open space designed by the architects of Citi Field. This public recreation zone, with uses to be developed through community input, could include amenities such as soccer fields, basketball courts, ice skating, and a multi-sport bubble.
Willets West, the new component of the project, will be to the immediate west of Citi Field and will convert a stadium parking lot into a one million-square-foot-retail and entertainment center, complete with over 200 retail stores of all sizes, movie theaters, restaurants, entertainment venues, a parking structure and surface parking for 2,500 cars and grand public spaces with year-round programming. This development, combined with the initial activation of 126th Street, will entail $1 billion of private investment, create 4,200 unionized construction jobs and 2,700 permanent jobs, and bring in $84 million in tax revenue during construction and $62 million in annual tax revenue upon completion.
Following this, the culmination of Phase 1 of Willets Point will result in the first 4.5 million square feet of mixed-use development for the new Willets Point Community. This will include the construction of the new Van Wyck Expressway Access Ramps, for which the City received approval from the Federal Highway Administration and the New York State Department of Transportation in March of this year. The ramps, which the City has committed capital out-year funding for, will be critical to enabling better access to the area. Once complete, this first portion of the new Willets Point neighborhood will include 2,500 housing units, 35% of which will be affordable, 900,000 square feet of street-level retail serving the community, and 500,000 square feet of office space serving Queens businesses. It will also feature an additional 280 hotel rooms (for a total of 480) and more than five acres of public space.
Work is progressing on schedule for the critical offsite infrastructure including construction of a sanitary sewer main and reconstruction of a storm sewer and outfall that the City broke ground on in December 2011. These $50 million in improvements support the historic redevelopment of Willets Point, which currently lacks this basic infrastructure, and provides over 350 construction or construction-related jobs. Both sewers will be completed in 2013 with the construction primarily occurring between the months of October through March to prevent any impacts during the baseball season at Citi Field.
“As a long-term advocate for the improvement of Willets Point, I am pleased that this plan will advance its transformation,” said Queens Borough President Helen Marshall. “The plan will also create almost 10,000 much-needed construction jobs and more than 7,000 permanent jobs.”
“I am so pleased Mayor Bloomberg is our partner in Queens’ renaissance,” said Congressman Crowley. “From the redevelopment of Willets Point, to the expansion and modernization of the US Tennis Center at Flushing Meadows, to the creation of a new high-tech campus at Roosevelt Island, these ambitious plans will create jobs, boost our economy, and improve the lives of the 2.2 million residents of Queens County.”
“As a long time advocate of economic growth and job creation for Queens, I am excited about this $3 billion investment by Related Companies and Sterling Equities,” said State Senator Jose Peralta. “The 12,000 union construction job created will be an important boost to the residents of Queens County.”
“The long awaited development should be a major boon for the surrounding Queens communities,” said Assemblymember Michael Simanowitz. “This important revitalization has the potential to create thousands of union construction jobs and permanent jobs. I look forward to working with the City and the community to ensure that this vital project produces great results for our community.”
“Willets Point has the potential to be a great project and I look forward to the public review process and engaging with the administration and all of the relevant stakeholders to ensure that the project meets the needs of my community,” said Council Member Julissa Ferreras.
“Today’s announcement unveils an exciting new chapter in Mayor Bloomberg's five-borough economic development plan,” Steven Spinola, President of the Real Estate Board of New York said. “The plans put forward by Related and Sterling Equities will result in much needed jobs, housing and retail and entertainment opportunities. As a result of today's announcement, Willets Point will be a great, new exciting destination in New York City - a thought that has been unimaginable for far too long.”
“Today’s announcement of the initial phase of development at Willets Point will not only create 12,000 union construction jobs for hard-working men and women across the five-boroughs, but it will transform an underutilized contaminated area into an economic engine for the borough of Queens,” said Gary LaBarbera, president of the Building and Construction Trades Council. “I want to commend Mayor Bloomberg and his administration for their vision and their commitment to job creation.”
“The Willets Point plan is a historic redevelopment effort that will transform an area previous generations have sought to change and improve,” said Peter Ward, President New York Hotel & Motel Trades Council. “Not only will it clean up the environment and improve the quality of nearby waterways, this project will create thousands of good jobs. We applaud Mayor Bloomberg, Related and Sterling Equities for committing to make sure that any hospitality project at Willets will pay good wages and provide real benefits like healthcare and retirement security.”
“The plan to redevelop Willets Point shows the tremendous potential for our city when public and private sectors work in collaboration with unions on development projects,” said Mike Fishman, President of 32BJ SEIU. “This project promises to create thousands of the kinds of good-paying jobs that working people need to support their families and which New York needs to ensure a broadly shared prosperity.”
“The plan to transform Willets Point from Queens’ biggest eyesore to one of the centers of economic growth in our city is exactly the kind of sustainable development New York City needs,” said Kathryn Wylde, President & CEO of the Partnership for New York City. “This project will lead the way in revitalizing and expanding Queens’ economy and will create thousands of jobs at a time when they are most needed.”
The Mayor additionally announced that the City has made considerable progress in acquiring property through negotiated acquisitions with area business owners and now has control of or agreements to acquire approximately 95 percent of the land needed to proceed with this project. The City will provide relocation assistance to businesses, with relocation of businesses in the Phase 1 area occurring prior to the start of construction.
Additionally, professional development and skills training is available to the area’s employees through the Worker Assistance Program, administered by LaGuardia Community College, which has enrolled over 550 participants enrolled since its inception.
Additional phases of the full 62-acre Willets Point Redevelopment Plan remain unchanged, with the overall development of Willets Point allowing for up to 5,500 units of housing, a convention center and a central 8-acre park.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Bank of America offering up to $30,000 for short sales
Bank of America is offering some struggling homeowners payments of
up to $30,000 if they sell their homes in a short sale and avoid ending
up in foreclosure.
Under the plan, Bank of America (BAC, Fortune 500) will offer homeowners so-called relocation payments of between $2,500 and $30,000 if they sell their home in a short sale. In short sale deals, the sale price of the home is less than what the seller owes the bank.
The bank first tested the payments in a pilot program in Florida last fall. Under that initiative, Bank of America paid up to $20,000 to borrowers who sold their homes in short sales.
"This program can help customers make a planned transition from ownership when home retention options have been exhausted or they have made a decision not to keep the home," said Bob Hora, an executive for the bank.
Chase (JPM, Fortune 500) started a similar initiative in late 2010 that pays as much as $35,000 to short sellers. Wells Fargo (WFC, Fortune 500) has also paid five-figure incentives to short sellers or to owners who turned over their deeds to the bank.
BofA said it has completed 200,000 short sales over the past two years. These sales are generally more cost effective for banks than foreclosures. By avoiding foreclosure, the lenders get distressed properties back from delinquent borrowers more quickly, which helps them to avoid property tax payments, maintenance expenses and legal fees that can build up for months, even years, as foreclosures work through the system.
In addition, the incentives help guarantee the homes will return to the lenders in better condition. Foreclosed properties are often poorly maintained, even sometimes sabotaged, by angry former owners, making them worth far less to the banks.
During the last three months of 2011, foreclosures sold for an average of about $150,000, according to RealtyTrac. Meanwhile, short sales sold for an average of about $185,000.
To qualify for Bank of America's relocation payments, borrowers must obtain pre-approval on sale prices for their homes. The sale must begin by the end of 2012 and close by September 26, 2013.
The exact compensation is determined case-by-case based on a calculation that involves the home's value, mortgage balance and other factors.
Borrowers can call 877-459-2852 to find out if they may be eligible for the program.
The original Contents of this Article can be found HERE
Under the plan, Bank of America (BAC, Fortune 500) will offer homeowners so-called relocation payments of between $2,500 and $30,000 if they sell their home in a short sale. In short sale deals, the sale price of the home is less than what the seller owes the bank.
The bank first tested the payments in a pilot program in Florida last fall. Under that initiative, Bank of America paid up to $20,000 to borrowers who sold their homes in short sales.
"This program can help customers make a planned transition from ownership when home retention options have been exhausted or they have made a decision not to keep the home," said Bob Hora, an executive for the bank.
BofA said it has completed 200,000 short sales over the past two years. These sales are generally more cost effective for banks than foreclosures. By avoiding foreclosure, the lenders get distressed properties back from delinquent borrowers more quickly, which helps them to avoid property tax payments, maintenance expenses and legal fees that can build up for months, even years, as foreclosures work through the system.
In addition, the incentives help guarantee the homes will return to the lenders in better condition. Foreclosed properties are often poorly maintained, even sometimes sabotaged, by angry former owners, making them worth far less to the banks.
During the last three months of 2011, foreclosures sold for an average of about $150,000, according to RealtyTrac. Meanwhile, short sales sold for an average of about $185,000.
To qualify for Bank of America's relocation payments, borrowers must obtain pre-approval on sale prices for their homes. The sale must begin by the end of 2012 and close by September 26, 2013.
The exact compensation is determined case-by-case based on a calculation that involves the home's value, mortgage balance and other factors.
Borrowers can call 877-459-2852 to find out if they may be eligible for the program.
The original Contents of this Article can be found HERE
Monday, May 14, 2012
New Building Permits are up 62.3% in Brooklyn This year for Far
Brooklyn is on the brink of another building boom.
After years of inactivity since the recession hit, the borough has seen a whopping 62.3 percent increase in new building permits issued this year. The city’s Buildings Department issued 112 permits for new Brooklyn construction projects from January through April, compared with 69 in the same period last year.
Much of the spike is due to more than 350 new units of housing in neighborhoods like Williamsburg and Bedford-Stuyvesant.
It’s not the wave of high-rise luxury condos that arrived in the years leading to the 2008 stock market crash. Instead, most of the planned housing consists of one- to three-family homes, and some permits are for projects that stalled after the recession.
Developer Abby Hamlin said an improved economy finally allowed her to secure financing to move forward with the second phase of brownstone-style, one-family town houses she’s building in Boerum Hill.
“The market is definitely getting much better for securing construction financing, but it’s not totally back,” said Hamlin, adding that lenders financed 80 percent of her construction costs for phase one but only agreed to finance 65 percent for phase two.
Other projects in the works include a 52-room hotel on Atlantic Avenue in Bedford-Stuyvesant, a 33-room hotel on Foster Avenue in Canarsie, and an athletic facility for St. Joseph’s College at Vanderbilt Avenue in Fort Greene, records show.
“New construction is coming back to Brooklyn in a big way, and that means more homes, more jobs and a stronger economy for New York City,” Buildings Commissioner Robert LiMandri said.
Brooklyn’s activity exceeded the rest of the city, where new building permits rose 8.5 percent from 412 to 447.
New construction permits in Manhattan jumped 169 percent, from 12 to 35.
Written by Rich Calder (New York Post). You can View the original of this Article here -> Click Here
___________________________________________________________________________________
After years of inactivity since the recession hit, the borough has seen a whopping 62.3 percent increase in new building permits issued this year. The city’s Buildings Department issued 112 permits for new Brooklyn construction projects from January through April, compared with 69 in the same period last year.
Much of the spike is due to more than 350 new units of housing in neighborhoods like Williamsburg and Bedford-Stuyvesant.
It’s not the wave of high-rise luxury condos that arrived in the years leading to the 2008 stock market crash. Instead, most of the planned housing consists of one- to three-family homes, and some permits are for projects that stalled after the recession.
Developer Abby Hamlin said an improved economy finally allowed her to secure financing to move forward with the second phase of brownstone-style, one-family town houses she’s building in Boerum Hill.
“The market is definitely getting much better for securing construction financing, but it’s not totally back,” said Hamlin, adding that lenders financed 80 percent of her construction costs for phase one but only agreed to finance 65 percent for phase two.
Other projects in the works include a 52-room hotel on Atlantic Avenue in Bedford-Stuyvesant, a 33-room hotel on Foster Avenue in Canarsie, and an athletic facility for St. Joseph’s College at Vanderbilt Avenue in Fort Greene, records show.
“New construction is coming back to Brooklyn in a big way, and that means more homes, more jobs and a stronger economy for New York City,” Buildings Commissioner Robert LiMandri said.
Brooklyn’s activity exceeded the rest of the city, where new building permits rose 8.5 percent from 412 to 447.
New construction permits in Manhattan jumped 169 percent, from 12 to 35.
Written by Rich Calder (New York Post). You can View the original of this Article here -> Click Here
___________________________________________________________________________________
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