Community District
Find the planning projects in your community district.
Most Active Projects
HOW TO GET STARTED
RECENT NEW YORK CITY PLANNING NEWS
Bloomberg Expresses Hope for Hudson Yards Deal
May 10, 2008 | New York Times
Mayor Bloomberg met with representatives from Tishman Speyer in London on Friday and expressed optimism that the developer, selected in March as the winning bidder to redevelop the Hudson Railyards site, and the MTA could still work out a deal for the site. Negotiations failed last week when, according to the MTA, Tishman proposed postponing the closing of the deal until the West railyard site was rezoned, a process that will take at least 18 months. After giving the developer a day to reconsider, the MTA called off the deal on Thursday afternoon. Representatives from Tishman and the MTA are scheduled to meet again on Monday.
New Atlantic Yards Renderings Prompt More Critical Commentary
May 10, 2008 | Brooklyn Papers
After two very different sets of renderings representing the revised Atlantic Yards plans were released last week, several people are commenting on the images as well as the future of the plans. One set of renderings, released by Forest City Ratner, omits the 11 towers that are to be built in Phase two of the project, as well as the existing buildings that currently surround the site. Critics say this omission is an intentional effort to hide the fact that the proposed buildings are much larger than existing buildings in the area. Many architects also criticize Frank Gehry’s new designs for the Brooklyn 1 building. The Municipal Art Society released its own renderings of the future development, showing a cluster of bulky buildings surrounded by vast parking lots, reflecting the concern that the new project timeline will actually cause more blight than the project was supposed to eliminate in the first place. Developer Bruce Ratner continues to say that the Gehry-designed building will not be built until a tenant for it is found.
Demonstrators For and Against Atlantic Yards Protest at Site
May 10, 2008 | Brooklyn Eagle
Two groups on opposite sides of the Atlantic Yards battle demonstrated at the site on Saturday. One was a group, 800-strong, of union construction workers who were there to show their support for the project, saying it would provide them with much-needed jobs. The other group, about 400 in number, were opposing the project. Members of the opponent group said that the union workers should join their cause protesting Ratner, since the developer would no longer be providing the 15,000 union jobs he had originally promised.
MTA and Tishman Speyer to Continue Negotiations
May 09, 2008 | Crain's New York Business
Despite an apparent collapse in the negotiations between the MTA and Tishman Speyer over the development of the Hudson Railyards site, the two agencies are said to be working on reviving the deal. According to Crain’s, moving forward with the deal is in both parties’ interest. If further negotiations fail, the MTA loses the $1 billion that Tishman pledged for the development rights, and risks losing leverage with other potential developers. Tishman Speyer would lose the opportunity to develop a signature project at on the largest remaining developable tract of land in Manhattan.
Collapse of Hudson Yards Deal Would Leave City in Debt
May 09, 2008 | Reuters US Edition
The bond rating agency Standard & Poor’s has estimated that the City of New York will be responsible for up to $7 million in debt if the Hudson Railyards deal does not go through. Two years ago the city issued $2 billion in bonds to pay for the Number 7 subway extension; those bonds were backed by payments that were anticipated to be received from the railyards project. If negotiations between developer Tishman Speyer and the MTA fail, the City will have to find another source of funds, such as a tax hike, to cover the debt service.
Hudson Rails Yards Agreement at Standstill
May 09, 2008 | New York Times
The 26 acre site development deal between Tishman Speyer Properties and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to develop the West Side rail yard is at a standstill. According MTA, Tishman Speyer wanted to change the terms of agreement that was originally agreed upon in March. Some are concerned that the standstill could jeopardize the project due to the slowing economy. Both the MTA and Tishman Speyer have indicated their commitment to the project and meeting the needs of the community.
Speaker Christine Quinn Personally Contacted to Develop High Line
May 08, 2008 | NY1
NY1 recently reported that former City Council Speaker Gifford Miller repeatedly contacted Speaker Christine Quinn several times through her personal email address to advocate the High Line development. It has been confirmed that Miller is acting only as a volunteer and not a lobbyist, but the group leading the High Line park received over $200,000 in council funding in 2007.
Construction of Underground Tunnel Underway at WTC Site
May 08, 2008 | New York Times
The southern section of the No. 1 train tunnel that cuts through the World Trade Center site has been cleared of soil in order to construct an underpass connecting the eastern and western sides of the site. The underpass is being built under a network of steel beams on which the subway now rests. Eventually the entire area under the subway from Vessey Street to Liberty Street will be cleared and will be part of the underground, multilevel structure that will include shops, parking, and a PATH terminal.
Ikea Claims to Hire Mainly from Red Hook, Some are Doubtful
May 08, 2008 | New York Daily News
The Ikea furniture store is set to open in Red Hook in June. According to a representative from Ikea, the company has hired 300 employees from New York City, 60% of whom are from Red Hook. Some are skeptical of these hiring statistics. Co-chairman of the Red Hook Civic Association, John McGettrick, is doubtful in the validity of the hiring number released by the company and is critical of Ikea because their promise of local hiring was a large reason the project gained community support.
Design Alterations to Be Made to WTC Transportation Hub Structure
May 08, 2008 | New York Times
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey plans to reduce the size of the centerpiece structure above the train station at the World Trade Center site. The Port Authority would like to keep the planned “winged” concept, but revisions to original design and building material will be made to keep the project in the $2.5 billion budget.