[NYguy]

http://www.thelodownny.com/leslog/20...es-tower.html#

...The developers note that more big changes are coming to the East River waterfront. Large-scale projects are expected from L+M Development, on a a parcel at 265-275 Cherry St., just to the east of the new project site. The Starrett Corporation is also believed to be making plans for a new project on a site it owns in the area. Taken together, the new developments will likely create at least 3,000 new apartments in the Two Bridges neighborhood.

“This particular zone is not one of the more densely populated areas of the city right now,” argued Stern. “Interestingly, though, there is a pretty good transportation infrastructure, retail infrastructure in the general area to support it, so it’s actually a very appropriate place for density. I think that’s why you see the underlying zoning that’s there (which supports high density).”

Stern also noted that his firm has a lot of experience working with local communities to “mitigate the impacts” of construction. The developers will be working with Two Bridges and Settlement Housing to communicate early and often with the local community, he promised. For Victor Papa’s part, he said, “We’re going to go and talk to whoever wants to hear this presentation. We’re going to be transparent and open about it.”

So what’s next? After today’s meetings, Stern said the development team will be focused on winning approval from the Department of City Planning for a “minor modification” of the Two Bridges Large-Scale Development Plan.

JDS Development is hoping to access tax incentives for the affordable housing portion of the project. The State Legislature has so far failed to reinstate the 421a tax abatement program. “We’re confident that some version of it will come back in this development timeline,” said Stern. Construction is not expected to begin for at least two years.

Stern said he’s proud of what his firm, SHoP and the not-for profit groups have been able to achieve. “We see it as a model of responsible development moving forward,” he explained. “Take an under-utilized affordable housing asset and get some value out of it, create new affordable housing and create capital to preserve affordable housing and (generate) positive ripple effects wherever you’re building.”








Two Bridges Senior Apartments, 80 Rutgers Slip.



Extell site; view from Pike Street.

A quote from a couple of years ago on de Blasio and the NIMBYs...

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/poli...icle-1.1715572


..."This isn't going to be a fight between the mayor and developers, it's going to be a fight between the mayor and the NIMBYs," one executive said, using the acronym for 'Not in My Backyard."

Whatever the aesthetics of the buildings turns out to be, one thing seems clear. For many New Yorkers, Mayor Bill de Blasio is becoming Mayor Build de Blasio.

"The new message out of City Hall is 'Build, baby, build,'" Bankoff said.