The New York Times published a wistful article about the residential build-up along the waterfront, and how it’s replacing industry. In other words, gentrification NYC-style.
Of greatest relevance to us here in LIC, were the details that were revealed about the “Waters Edge” project and the extent of the zoning variance that the de Blasio administration is looking to grant to developers. Summing it up:
“In place of a parking lot, a pier and Transportation Department facility, developers could build two to three towers between 350 and 500 feet tall. If bidders include additional commercial and manufacturing space, they could add an extra 150 feet to the new buildings.”
Thus the tallest of these towers could be 650 feet tall, or roughly 60 stories – more than 50% higher than the tallest building currently on Center Boulevard. That would provide about 1,000 apartments, and 300K square feet of industrial space. Developers expressing interest in the lot include Forest City Ratner, TF Cornerstone, Rose Associates, and the Durst Organization.
//Three New Eateries Announced for Jackson Avenue – Rockrose reveals to The Real Deal that they’ve signed three tenants for the low rise string of buildings they own on Jackson Avenue in Court Square. Toby’s Estate Coffee, Levante – a pizza-centric restaurant/lounge, and an unnamed Japanese restaurant helmed by the chef at Sapporo East in the East Village.
//Hunters Point Strikes Out in Participatory Budgeting – I’m not saying these aren’t worthy projects, but this process now seems so strange to me. With 3600 people voting, it comes across more like a popularity contest. From the press release:
The winning projects are:
1. Special needs playground for P4 at Skillman (1437 votes; $250,000)
2. Playground upgrades for PS 112 (1169 votes; $500,000)
3. Basketball court renovations for Ravenswood (891 votes; $350,000)
4. Basketball court renovation for Queensbridge Houses (891 votes; $350,000)
5. Dutch Kills pedestrian safety (installation of bus bulbs on 31st St. at 36th Ave & 39th Ave.; 888 votes; $300,000)
6. Bathroom repairs for PS 111 (886 votes; $100,000)
//Sprouts of Capitalism: I feel compelled to break down the photo above, taken on the fringes of the Bernie Sanders rally Monday night. It’s a table of t-shirts promoting an occasional socialist, hawked by a hard-working hustler (possibly an immigrant1 ). In the background is the prototype yuppiesque vision of a health club – sorry, but treadmills scream this adjective2. Yet this health club is actually situated in affordable housing. The intersection of capitalism and socialism, what a tangled web we weave.
Experiment on Queens Waterfront Would Mix Manufacturers and Dwellers – lotsa talk, but it should be really interesting as to what goodies the eventual winner gives the community, or it could just be X units of affordable housing
LIC to Get Toby’s Estate Coffee and Two New Eateries – make it 3, some people live off of coffee
Bernie Rally in Hunters Point Features TV on the Radio – a smaller crowd than previous rallies, all went well, from the snippet I heard Bernie sounded tired (v understandable), orderly, and a few crowd pics
A Harvest Devoted to Sustaining NYC’s Hungry – a fascinating visit to City Harvest’ plant in LIC at the bottom of Hunters Point
[…] waterfront in LIC is their massive heights of 50 and 65 stories. Of course that too is more of a confirmation than a surprise. Oh sure, there will be some setbacks on these towers – unlike most of […]