Wednesday, 1 June 2016
'Flushing West' Rezoning Proposal Ditched By City
Would have created up to 1,600 new affordable and market-rate units
Plans to create a new neighborhood in Queens have been scrapped for now after mounting concerns about its feasibility, Crain's reports. The de Blasio administration has put a plug on rezoning part of Flushing to create Flushing West, part of his overall Housing New York plan to create more affordable housing throughout the city.
Flushing West would have created about 1,600 affordable and market-rate apartments in an industrial area between Flushing Creek and the 7 Train terminal, along with new retail and open space.
Last week, local City Councilman Peter Koo raised several concerns about the potential rezoning. For one, the area is too close to LaGuardia Airport, which would affect the height of the new buildings, and in some cases, flights would have to alter their paths, which in turn would require the involvement of the federal government.
The location of the site next to Flushing Creek and Flushing West also posed a problem what with it being home to combined sewer overflow pipes (some of the city's most active), and more housing in this area would only have worsened the situation.
The city concurred with the Councilman's concerns, and has decided to revisit the site at a future date. The rezoning effort was part of de Blasio's plans to bring affordable housing to at least 15 different areas throughout the city — the first site in that initiative is now moving forward in East New York.
- City withdraws plan to create new Queens neighborhood [Crain's]
- East New York Rezoning Wins City Council Approval [Curbed]
from
http://ny.curbed.com/2016/6/1/11827732/flushing-west-rezoning-canceled-nyc-de-blasio
'Ultraluxury' Condos Coming to Midtown's Landmarked Crown Building
Michael Shvo is bringing a high-end hotel and 23 condos to the building
Last April, Michael Shvo partnered with Russian billionaire Vladislav Doronin of the luxury Amanresorts to buy the upper floors of the landmarked Crown Building near the southeast corner of Central Park. It was speculated at the time that the comeback kid developer and Doronin would be bringing an Aman hotel and condos to the building, and now the Post has confirmed that much. The sale has yet to close, but Shvo and Doronin plan on bringing 23 "ultraluxury" condos to the landmarked building's upper floors.
The news comes alongside word that Jeff Sutton and GGP, who purchased the tower for $1.775 billion in the beginning of 2015, have bought out the sublease of the building's remaining commercial tenant. This will allow the duo to continue transforming the building's base into high-end retail of the Bulgari and Ermenegildo Zegna variety—just what the city needs.
- Crown Building begins shift to luxe shopping destination [NYP]
- Will the Landmark Crown Building Get Shvo-tastic Condos? [Curbed]
from
http://ny.curbed.com/2016/6/1/11827794/crown-building-midtown-condos-nyc
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Tuesday, 31 May 2016
Climate Change Puts Statue of Liberty at ‘High Risk’ Of Future Damage
The Statue of Liberty is among 31 at-risk UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Thanks to the ever-present threat of climate change, NYC's beloved Lady Liberty might be endangered. A recent report by UNESCO, called "World Heritage and Tourism in a Changing Climate," details the impending damage to famous sites as a result of climate change. Among them are the Galapagos Islands, the city of Venice in Italy, Stonehenge, and the Statue of Liberty, to name a few.
As one of the 31 case studies, scientists illustrate just how vulnerable the Statue of Liberty, Liberty Island, and the adjacent Ellis Island actually are. In 2012, Hurricane Sandy wreaked havoc on the islands, causing serious infrastructural damage and about $100 million worth of necessary repairs. According to the report, this is just a glimpse of the serious damage that would be caused by rising sea levels due to global warming. This news should come as no surprise nor should it be hard to believe, especially for those who witnessed the catastrophe caused by Hurricane Sandy firsthand.
The 108-page report further details "the intangible cost of future damage to this international symbol of freedom and democracy" noting that this type of damage cannot be monetarily measured. These things are mentioned to say that measures need to be taken to address global climate change and protect our world sites—sometimes, prevention is easier than repair.
- UNESCO Report Details How Climate Change Threatens World Heritage Sites [Hyperallergic]
- World Heritage and Tourism in a Changing Climate [UNESCO]
from
http://ny.curbed.com/2016/5/31/11824586/climate-change-unesco-world-heritage-statue-of-liberty