Community District
Find the planning projects in your community district.
All Projects
- 125th Street Corridor
- 2nd Avenue Subway
- 421-a tax incentive program
- 980 Madison Tower
- Access to the Region's Core (ARC)
- Albee Square Mall Tower
- Atlantic Yards
- Bayside Rezoning
- Bayswater/Far Rockaway Rezoning
- Bedford Stuyvesant Rezoning
- Briarwood Rezoning
- Bricktown Centre
- Brig Redevelopment, Wallabout Brooklyn
- Brooklyn Academy of Music Cultural District
- Brooklyn Greenway
- Brooklyn Navy Yard
- Bush Terminal Park
- Clinton Hill/Ft. Greene Rezoning
- College Point Police Academy
- Columbia University Expansion
- Columbus Circle
- Con Ed Site Redevelopment
- Coney Island Development
- Cooper Square Urban Renewal Area
- Cross Harbor Freight Tunnel
- Domino Sugar Factory
- Downtown Brooklyn
- Downtown JFK-LIRR Link
- DUMBO Rezoning
- Dyker Heights/Fort Hamilton Rezoning
- East River Plaza
- East River Science Park
- East River Waterfront
- East Side Access
- Far Rockaway and Mott Creek Rezoning
- Far West Village Rezoning
- Federal Housing Policy
- Fieldston Landmark Designation
- Flushing Development
- Fordham Expansion
- Forest Hills Rezoning
- Fresh Kills Master Plan
- Fulton Street Transit Center
- Gansevoort Marine Transfer Station
- Garment District Rezoning
- Gateway Center at Bronx Terminal Market
- General Theological Seminary Tower (Chelsea)
- Governors Island
- Gowanus Development
- Greenpoint-Williamsburg Rezoning
- High Line Redevelopment + Whitney Museum
- HUB Retail and Office Center
- Hudson Railyards
- Hudson River Park
- Hudson Yards Rezoning & Development
- Hunter College Health-Professions Tower
- Hunts Point Vision Plan
- Inwood/Sherman Creek Waterfront Rezoning
- Jamaica, Queens Development and Rezoning
- Javits Convention Center Expansion
- JetBlue JFK Terminal
- Kingsbridge Armory
- Kissena Park Rezoning
- Lincoln Center Redevelopment
- Long Island City
- Lower East Side Rezoning
- Lower Manhattan Development
- Maspeth - Woodside Rezoning
- Mets Stadium Construction
- Middle Village-Glendale Rezoning
- Midwood Rezoning
- Mott Haven School Campus
- Moynihan Station
- Museum for African Art
- New Madison Square Garden
- New Rego Park, Queens Mall
- New York City Building Code
- New York City Hospital Redevelopment
- New York Diamond Tower
- New York Historical Society Tower
- No. 7 Line Extension
- North Brother Island
- North Tribeca Rezoning
- NYC 2012 Olympic Bid
- NYU Development
- One Madison Ave Clocktower
- P.S. 64 Redevelopment
- PlaNYC 2030
- Plaza Hotel Redevelopment
- Policy Developments - Landmarks
- Public Place
- Queens Botanical Garden
- Queens Plaza
- Queens West
- Randalls Island Water Park and Playing Fields
- Red Hook Cruise Terminal
- Red Hook Development
- Renaissance Ballroom and Renaissance Casino
- Seventh Regiment Armory (Park Ave.)
- Silvercup West
- SoHo Sanitation Garage
- Solid Waste Management Plan
- South Bronx Jail Plan
- South Ferry Terminal Project
- South Street Seaport Redevelopment
- South Village Historic District
- Springfield Gardens Rezoning
- St. Vincent’s Expansion
- Stapleton Waterfront District
- Starrett City
- Staten Island NASCAR Track
- Staten Island North Shore Light Rail
- Stuyvesant Town and Peter Cooper Village
- Sunnyside Yards Platform
- The Caledonia (Chelsea)
- Trump Soho Hotel Condominiums
- Union Square Redesign
- Union-Utopia Rezoning
- United Nations Renovation
- Upper West Side Rezoning Proposal
- Uptown New York (East Harlem)
- Van Cortlandt Park Filtration Plant
- Via Verde - New Housing New York Legacy Project
- Washington Square Park Redesign
- West-Park Presbyterian Church Tower
- White Plains Courtyard
- Whitestone Rezoning
- Willets Point Development
- World Trade Center Redevelopment
- Yankee Stadium Construction
QUICK LINKS
- CB6's 197a Plan
- CB6's 197c Plan
- CPC's Report on CB6's 197a Plan
- CPC's Report on ERRC's Applicaiton - Main
- CPC's Report on ERRC's Applicaiton - Other
- CPC's Report on ERRC's Applicaiton - Other
- CPC's Report on ERRC's Applicaiton - Other
- CPC's Report on ERRC's Applicaiton - Other
- CPC's Report on ERRC's Applicaiton - Other
- CPC's Report on ERRC's Applicaiton - Other
- CPC's Report on ERRC's Applicaiton - Other
- Wired NY Forum
Con Ed Site Redevelopment
Developer Sheldon H. Solow and the East River Realty Company (ERRC) had proposed a 6.1 million square feet commercial and residential development on the East Side of Manhattan. The approximately 9.2 acre site stretching between 34th and 41st Streets along the East River is owned by Con Edison and is now largely vacant. The original proposal called for a 1.5 million sf office tower and six residential that would include totaling 4,166 housing units. The towers would range between 528 and 864 feet tall, all taller than the current 505 feet of the UN secretariat building. The towers were designed by Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill and Richard Meir. The plan also called for over 1,500 parking spaces.
As the plan moved through the ULURP process, there were several modifications. ERRC has agreed to set aside approximately 600 units for affordable and workforce housing and has agreed to build a school for approximately 600 students. The number of parking spaces has also been scaled back to approximately 400. Despite these changes, the Community Board and local elected officials, such as Councilmember Daniel Garodnick, still have concerns about the proposal. Those concerns include the belief that the development is too dense for the area and that the inclusion of significant commercial uses is out of character with the neighborhood. In addition, many are concerned that the proposed 50 to 60 story towers, which will be far taller than the nearby UN secretariat, will be out of place in a neighborhood of mostly 40 story towers.
Both Manhattan Community Board 6 (CB6) and Borough President Scott Stringer recommended that ERRC’s plan be disapproved by the City Planning Commission (CPC) and City Council. CPC, however, voted to approve the plan in January 2007, paving the way for the City Council to review the plan and make a final determination. The City Council will hold its public hearing on the plan on Monday, February 25, 2007.
In addition to ERRC’s application to rezone the area from manufacturing to a more mixed-use zone, CB6 also prepared a rezoning plan for the site – a 197c plan – as well as a more general 197a plan for a larger portion of the community district. CPC approved CB6’s 197a plan, with some modifications, at the same time they approved ERRC’s rezoning plan. However, CPC has not yet given CB6’s 197c plan approval to begin the ULURP process.
Tudor City Residents File Lawsuit to Stop Con Ed Site Redevelopment
Thursday, April 24, 2008 | AM New York | Topic: General
Residents of Tudor City announced on Wednesday their intent to file a lawsuit in an attempt to stop the redevelopment of the East Side’s former Con Ed site. The community members claim that both the City Council and City Planning Commission approved the plans without having the support of the community board. Residents of Tudor City fear that the tall buildings will cast shadows over their landmarked residential area. They are also concerned about the noise and dirt they will have to endure throughout construction.
Rezoning for Con Ed Site Redevelopment Passes City Council
Thursday, March 27, 2008 | The Real Deal | Topic: Land Use
The City Council voted on Thursday in favor of rezoning Sheldon Solow’s plan for the Con Edison site on the East River. The plan includes seven towers, with a mix of residential and office space. During the negotiation process, Solow agreed to lower some of the building heights. He has also agreed to build a school, 5 acres of open space and affordable housing. Solow will also contribute $10 million for a pedestrian bridge over the FDR highway to the East River.
Solow’s Plan Gets Approval from Key Council Subcommittee
Wednesday, March 12, 2008 | New York Observer | Topic: Land Use
Sheldon Solow’s $4 billion plan to redevelop the Con Ed site passed a crucial vote in the City Council Land Use subcommittee this morning. The original plan was modified by an agreement with Council Member Daniel Garodnick – building heights were lowered, open space was preserved and more affordable housing was provided for. The project now goes back to the City Planning Commission before returning to the City Council for final approval.
Con Ed Site Negotiations Come Down to the Wire
Monday, March 10, 2008 | New York Observer | Topic: Land Use
The City Council has tentatively scheduled a vote tomorrow, March 11, on the rezoning for Sheldon Solow’s $4 billion redevelopment plan for the Con Ed site. The final deadline for the vote is March 12. City Council member Daniel Garodnick, to whom the Council is expected to defer for the decision, is still in negotiations with Solow about his proposal.
Solow Seeks UN as Tenant for East Side Development
Thursday, March 06, 2008 | New York Times | Topic: General
Sheldon Solow, a developer who plans to redevelop the former Con Edison site on the East River, is focusing some attention on encouraging the United Nations (UN) to locate some office space to an office tower that is part of his redevelopment plans and awaiting City Council approval. In order to gain public approval for his plan, Solow has suggested that the UN abandon long standing plans to build office space on a plot of land that is currently a park. If the UN was able to move some of its operations into Solow’s new office tower only three blocks from the Secretariat, the park would remain for the community. The UN signed a lease recently in a building owned by Solow so it can relocate for renovations to begin on the Secretariat.
New Deadline Set for Vote on Con Ed Site Plans
Thursday, March 06, 2008 | New York Sun | Topic: General
City Council’s Zoning and Franchise Committee has cancelled today’s vote on the fate of the East Side’s Con Ed site. The City Council and the site developer, Sheldon Solow, continue to negotiate the height and density of the proposal. Councilmember Tony Avella has expressed concerns that the development is “too big in its present form.” The Committee now has a March 12 deadline to vote on the project. If the project is not approved by that date, Solow will have to start the uniform land use review procedure (ULURP) all over again.
Council Subcommittee Vote on Con Ed Site Expected Thursday
Tuesday, March 04, 2008 | New York Observer | Topic: Land Use
The City Council’s Zoning Committee is expected to vote on Sheldon Solow’s $4 billion plan to redevelop the East Side Con Ed site on Thursday. Solow and Council member Daniel Garodnick have been in negotiations over the site including concerns about the height of the buildings, the open space and the use of the buildings.
Conversation Continues on Details of Solow’s Plan for Con Ed Site
Monday, February 25, 2008 | New York Observer | Topic: Land Use
Sheldon Solow, the developer hoping to build six residential towers and one commercial tower along a ten-acre stretch of the East River, is trying to make some concessions to garner neighborhood and City Council approval for his mixed-use development plan. At a recent City Council hearing, representatives of Solow tried to dismiss fears that new buildings will not overshadow the United Nations building or cast shadows on parks in Tudor City. City Council Member David Garodnick, who represents the area, still has serious concerns about traffic congestion and public open space. Solow has agreed to build a new elementary school and 668 units of affordable housing. The City Council has until mid-March to act on the rezoning application.
Officials Propose East River Waterfront Park Near Con Ed Site
Thursday, February 21, 2008 | New York Times | Topic: Waterfront
City Council Member David Garodnick was joined by both federal and state legislators in urging the development of a 4 acre park along the East River park space, which is estimated to cost nearly $100 million. Efforts to construct the park could be tough considering the location directly near the United Nations Secretariat, development of the Con Edison parcel, and general safety in the event of a terrorist attack. Funding for the park remains unclear.
Solow Project on East River Approved by City Planning
Tuesday, January 29, 2008 | AM New York | Topic: Land Use
The City Planning Commission (CPC) voted in favor of developer Sheldon Solow’s project to redevelop parcels on the East River near the United Nations Secretariat, including the former Con Edison site. The rezoning approved was scaled down in both height and density by the CPC from what was originally proposed by the developer but will still allow for substantial residential development, including 4,000 units across six different buildings. Plans approved also include 600 units of affordable housing and an elementary school. Access to the East River by the public was not addressed by the CPC to the dismay of some local advocacy groups. Many local officials and residents oppose Solow’s plan. The plan will be reviewed next by the City Council, which will have 50 days to make a decision.
City Planning Commission to Vote on Con Ed Site Zoning
Monday, January 28, 2008 | New York Sun | Topic: Economic Development
The City Planning Commission will review and vote on the zoning changes necessary for Sheldon Solow's development of the Con Ed site today. It is anticipated that the commission will vote to reduce the height and density of the project, increase the number of affordable housing units, and allow for open public space. If the zoning change is approved, according to the ULURP process, the City Council will have 50 days to act. The Council usually defers to the Council Member whose district the proposed development is in. Council Member Daniel Gorodnick, whose district encompasses the Con Ed site, says that more changes in the scale of the project will be necessary to win his support.
City Council May Request Solow to Scale Down Project
Wednesday, January 16, 2008 | The Real Deal | Topic: Land Use
While developer Sheldon Solow believes he has made numerous compromises and spent millions of dollars on redeveloping the Con Ed site, including decreasing the height of the seven towers and allowing for affordable housing, it is speculated that the City Council will request Solow to scale down the project further.
Residents Oppose Scale of Con Ed Development
Sunday, December 09, 2007 | AM New York | Topic: Land Use
Developer Seldon Solow’s plan for the decommissioned Con-Ed site, just south of the United Nation’s 505 foot Secretariat, includes a glass tower that reaches 721 feet. Many are concerned the new buildings will out-scale the Secretariat and overburden the Tudor style neighborhood surrounding it. Solow had already agreed to decrease the height of the building and include a school to appease residents; however, many are still opposed to the buildings’ construction. The city Planning Commission will decide on the rezoning plans in early 2008 before the decision is sent to City Council for approval.
Council Members, Residents Concerned About Plans for Con Ed Site
Sunday, December 09, 2007 | Newsday.com | Topic: Economic Development
At a City Planning Commission hearing, City Council members and residents aired their concerns about the size of developer Sheldon Solow’s large project to be built on the decommissioned Con Ed site on the East Side. Solow has already agreed to lower the height of the tallest building to 69 stories, add more moderate-income housing and include a public school in its site plan. Solow’s architects said the project would enhance the City’s skyline, but residents are worried that the project will dwarf the surrounding neighborhood and worsen traffic problems.
Con Ed Developments Continue to Worry Some in Community
Thursday, November 15, 2007 | New York Times | Topic: Land Use
Sheldon H. Solow, owner of the Con Ed Site will take his $4 billion project to a public hearing today. The proposed project will include 7 towers that will house commercial and residential uses, public school, public pavilion, and 4.8 acres of open space, including an esplanade along the East River. The proposal still must be reviewed and approved by the City Planning Commission and City Council. As the project proceeds further in the development process, the proposed rezoning, which would allow for a commercial building and 50-60-story towers in an area of 40-story buildings, has several community members concerned about the future of the area.
Developer Agrees to Affordable Housing on Former Con Ed Site
Monday, November 05, 2007 | New York Times | Topic: Land Use
Sheldon Solow, the developer who bought the former Con Edison site on Manhattan's East Side, has worked out an agreement with some elected officials to include approximately 600 new units of below market rate housing in his proposed development. Solow hopes to rezone the area from manufacturing to allow towers of residential and office space. His plan also includes significant space for parking and five acres of green space. Negotiations are also in the works to build a school on the site. The Manhattan Borough President will host a public hearing on November 15th as part of the public process for redevelopment. The local Community Board has offered an alternative plan to Solow's that has not yet been considered by the Department of City Planning. Their plan would limit superblocks, put in place height restrictions for buildings, and create public access to the waterfront.
Developer Promises Public Walkways on Con Ed Site
Sunday, September 23, 2007 | New York Times | Topic: Urban Design & Architecture
East River Realty's development plans for the former Con Ed site along 1st Avenue incorporate walkways for the public at 39th and 40th Streets. While the developer praises the sidewalks as inclusive of the public, some neighbors reject the concept of a privately owned, public corridor. According to a spokesperson from the land use committee of Manhattan Community Board 6, such public spaces "designed by private bodies never work well." The City Council is expected to make a decision on the controversial development next year.
Community Board Hearing for Con Ed East River Redevelopment
Wednesday, September 19, 2007 | New York Sun | Topic: Land Use
Sheldon Solow of the East River Realty Company is initiating plans for a new development along the East River just south of the United Nations. His proposal consists of six skinny glass towers, four of which would be more than 600 feet tall. According to the environmental impact statement, the plan boasts five million square feet of new development, including 6,100 units of housing. Area residents and elected officials have already begun to express concern with heights of buildings and amount of parking. A Community Board hearing scheduled for tomorrow will discuss the development.
Con Ed Development Review Process Begins
Thursday, August 23, 2007 | Metro New York | Topic: Waterfront
The Department of City Planning began the formal review process of developer Sheldon Solow’s proposal for large residential towers, an office building, and 1,500 parking spots on the Con Ed parcel along the East River. The plans, which span 35th to 41st Streets, have met resistance from many residents and elected officials, including Council Member Dan Garodnick. Garodnick’s vision for the area, which is shared by the Municipal Art Society (MAS), is to create a waterfront park. While MAS and developer Solow both include elevated platforms in their plans, critics of Solow’s proposal believe that the developer does not include enough open space.
Midtown East River Waterfront Plan Unveiled
Monday, June 11, 2007 | New York Sun | Topic: Economic Development
Yesterday at the Municipal Art Society a plan for the revitalization of the East River Waterfront in midtown was unveiled. The project, which includes the expansion of the United Nations campus, the construction of a park on the former site of the Consolidated Edison waterside plant, and an elevated terrace traversing FDR Drive, was conceived in one 12-hour session by six architects. Construction on the park is likely to begin in the coming months.
East River Waterfront is Canvas for Design Competition
Tuesday, June 05, 2007 | New York Sun | Topic: Waterfront
As part of New York City’s ongoing quest to revitalize the East River waterfront, the City is hosting a 12-hour design competition this Friday to cull ideas for the creation of a waterfront park for the swath of the river’s edge between 34th to 63rd Streets. The new 35-story UN office building is going to replace the Robert Moses Playground, creating the need for developed open space in the vicinity.
Neighbors Push for Changes at Con Ed Site Re-Development
Monday, October 30, 2006 | New York Post | Topic: Economic Development
Community complains about project's size and scope in anticipation of re-zoning requests for Solow Properties planned 5-million-square-foot residential and office complex.
State of Solow's Development
Wednesday, August 09, 2006 | New York Observer | Topic: Land Use
Solow showed new drawings to elected officials and the community board this summer, but to little more fanfare than when the original plan was unveiled last fall. He has agreed to lower the height of the buildings and increase their footprints to make up for the lost space, and to reorient the buildings so that street lines can run through the site and almost right up to the river’s edge.
Solow Hires Lobbyists
Monday, February 06, 2006 | New York Observer | Topic: Politics & Government
In late 2004, the real-estate developer Sheldon Solow was wrapping up his $600 million purchase of the Consolidated Edison plant on the East River. It featured startling views and represented one of the largest raw spaces left in Manhattan. The only problem—or at least the first one he would have to take care of—was that the United Nations wanted to erect a 35-story tower of its own on a park directly to the north of his property.
Dipping City's Toes Into East River
Thursday, November 10, 2005 | New York Times | Topic: Land Use
The architects Richard Meier and David M. Childs have completed a master plan for four buildings, a park and an ice rink on part of a nine-acre site near the United Nations. They say the designs, filed with the city last week as part of an environmental assessment statement, will restore a sense of the Manhattan grid to the edge of the East River.
Coming To The East: Ground Zero North
Thursday, November 10, 2005 | Curbed | Topic: Land Use
Along the East River, between 35th and 41st Streets in Manhattan, lies a nine-acre lot known in the parlance as the ConEd Parcel. Bought last year for $630 million by developer Sheldon Solow, the design plans have been in development behind closed doors—until now.
Far From The Spotlight, But Close To Major Growth
Saturday, October 01, 2005 | The Real Deal | Topic: Land Use
Some of the briskest development in Manhattan may soon happen on the far East Side, past First Avenue, in moves that would alter the landscape of a slice of the city not noted for coveted addresses. When the far East Side is considered at all, it's the sort of address from where one hikes just to buy groceries or a sitdown meal, but plans in place will change that.