CITY COUNCIL APPROVES WEST HARLEM REZONING AND CHELSEA MARKET EXPANSION

PHA completed the Final EIS for the NYC Department of City Planning's proposed rezoning of a 90-block area of West Harlem. Following modifications to the rezoning application and a follow-up technical memorandum also prepared by PHA, the rezoning was approved by the City Planning Commission on September 5, 2012 and by the City Council on November 13, 2012.

Also on November 13, 2012, the City Council approved an application by Jamestown Properties for the expansion of the Chelsea Market complex. This proposal involves adding up to approximately 300,000 gross square feet of office space to the 1.1-million square foot retail and office development, which was formerly the headquarters of Nabisco. PHA prepared the EAS for this project and a follow-up technical memorandum due to modifications to the application made by the Commission.

Hunts Point Landing Opens -- Uses Salvaged Willis Avenue Bridge Granite

A recent ribbon-cutting ceremony in the South Bronx tied together two PHA projects. On September 24, 2012, the City formally opened Hunts Point Landing, a 1.5-acre public open space that is part of City's South Bronx Greenway. It is located at the southern tip of the Hunts Point peninsula at the confluence of the East and Bronx Rivers. Features include a kayak launch, fishing pier, landscaping, picnic area, and seating.

PHA prepared the City Map change documents that revised the street network in the area and provided an upland connection to this new waterfront open space. Hunts Point Landing uses granite boulders from the original Willis Avenue Bridge piers, re-purposed as seating benches and retaining walls. The original Willis Avenue Bridge was opened in 1901 and was removed after a new replacement bridge opened in 2010. The bridge spans the Harlem River, linking Manhattan and the Bronx. PHA prepared the Environmental Impact Statement and performed civil and transportation engineering services for the Willis Avenue Bridge replacement project.

74 WALLABOUT STREET DEVELOPMENT APPROVED

The 74 Wallabout Street project was approved by the City Planning Commission in June 2012 and by the City Council in September. PHA prepared the EAS for this project in South Williamsburg, which includes a rezoning. The proposed development includes a seven-story building including approximately 135 dwelling units, 29,000 square feet of retail, 18,000 square feet of community facility (a 100-seat school addition), and 60 accessory parking spaces.

WTC CAMPUS SECURITY PLAN

PHA is preparing the EIS for the World Trade Center Campus Security Plan. The scoping hearing was held on March 14, 2012.

DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN PARKING STUDY

PHA is preparing an extensive study of parking conditions in Downtown Brooklyn for the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership. The first phase of the ongoing study involved an assessment of on- and off-street parking utilization in a large area of Downtown Brooklyn.

SCHOOLWORK

PHA has recently undertaken several projects involving construction of new schools. Our involvement has ranged from preliminary feasibility studies for charter schools, feasibility studies for expansion of existing private schools, preparation of environmental review for projects involving new schools, as well as traffic/civil engineering for several current public school projects for the NYC School Construction Authority (SCA).

PHA is serving as civil engineer for the NYC School Construction Authority’s first "Net Zero Energy" school building, PS 62R, to be built in the Woodrow neighborhood of Staten Island. The building architect is Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. The 444-seat elementary school is being designed to generate as much energy as it uses. The project design team is exploring options to incorporate sustainable design elements into the site design.

MERCEDES HOUSE OPENS

The first phase of Mercedes House, the Two Trees Development on Eleventh Avenue between West 53rd and West 54th Streets, opened in May 2011. When completed, the 1.1 million square foot development will have about 850 apartments, with a Mercedes dealership at the ground level. PHA prepared the project's EIS, and also provided civil engineering and parking planning services.

EAST RIVER PLAZA

On November 12, 2009, the 105,000 sf Costco store had its grand opening at East River Plaza. PHA was involved with the East River Plaza project since its inception. The firm prepared the transportation analyses for the project's EIS, assisted with site plan development, and redesigned the East 116th Street interchange. PHA also provided construction support services during construction.

GROUNDBREAKING ON JETRO RESTAURANT DEPOT, HUNTS POINT

On March 9, 2011, ground was broken for the new Jetro Cash & Carry Restaurant Depot in the Hunts Point neighborhood of the Bronx. PHA is providing civil engineering services for the overall development of the Oak Point site, and also prepared the Environmental Assessment Statement (EAS) for Jetro. The restaurant depot, which received tax incentives from the NYC Industrial Development Agency (IDA). The new 200,000 sq. ft. facility is expected to be completed in early 2012.

RIVERSIDE CENTER EIS APPROVED BY CITY COUNCIL

PHA prepared the roadway plan for Extell's new 3.1 million square foot Riverside Center development on the Upper West Side. The site spans from West 59th to West 61st Street between West End Avenue and the West Side Highway. The firm also prepared the ULURP drawings and transportation analyses for the project's EIS. The project was approved by the City Council in December 2010.

DUMBO REZONING

The EAS for NYCDCP's DUMBO rezoning was approved by the New York City Council on July 29, 2009.

POLICE ACADEMY EIS

The FEIS for the proposed new Police Academy in College Point, Queens was approved by the New York City Planning Commission on September 23, 2009.