East New York Rezoning

PHA prepared the DEIS for the East New York Rezoning, which was certified into ULURP on September 21, 2015. The rezoning, proposed by NYCDCP and NYCHPD, would affect an approximately 190-block area of the East New York / Cypress Hills and Ocean Hill neighborhoods, and is expected to facilitate new residential, commercial, community facility, and manufacturing development, including approximately 6,312 dwelling units. The goals of the rezoning include creation of affordable housing, along with economic growth and job opportunities for residents. (Rendering at left: NYCDCP)

Whitney Museum

The Whitney Museum of American Art opened its new building in the Meatpacking District on May 1, 2015. PHA provided civil engineering design services for the project, including design of street elements within the public right-of-way, design of the street geometry, roadway design, grading, signage, site connection plans as well as utility design and coordination.

290 Dyckman Street Project Receives Approval

PHA prepared an Environmental Assessment Statement (EAS) in support of a zoning variance application by 290 Dyckman Properties, LLC in order to allow the conversion of a vacant commercial building into a Manhattan Mini Storage facility at 290 Dyckman Street in the Inwood neighborhood of Manhattan. The zoning variance was required because the building, which was constructed in the 1920s and in the past has been occupied by industrial and commercial uses, is divided into a commercial zoning district and a residential zoning district, which unlike the commercial zoning district does not permit the proposed mini storage use. In addition to the EAS, PHA provided testimony at Community Board and Board of Standards and Appeals (BSA) public hearings. BSA approved the application on December 9th, 2014. Manhattan Mini Storage expects to convert the building and open the new facility in 2015.

Tavern on the Green Renovation

PHA provided civil engineering services as a subconsultant to Swanke Hayden Connell Architects for the renovation of Tavern on the Green in Central Park. PHA's responsibilities including developing the grading plan and drainage design for the front courtyard and rear service yard. The restaurant reopened on April 24, 2014 after a two-year construction period.

77 COMMERCIAL STREET

PHA prepared the EAS for the proposed development at 77 Commercial Street in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, which was approved by the City Planning Commission on November 6, 2013. The project site is located on a waterfront block bounded by Manhattan Avenue to the east, Commercial Street to the southeast, the prolongation of Eagle Street to the south, and Newtown Creek to the west. The proposed development would consist of 720 dwelling units (200 affordable), approximately 25,720 gross square feet (gsf) of ground floor commercial space, 6,200 gsf of community facility space, and approximately 320 accessory parking spaces. The development would be located in three proposed buildings – a six-story building, a 30-story building and a 40-story building, and would incorporate development rights from the adjacent City-owned property which will be developed into Box Street Park. The project site was previously rezoned as part of the 2005 Greenpoint-Williamsburg Rezoning, and requires discretionary approvals including a special permit, several authorizations from the City Planning Commission, and a text amendment.

Greenpoint Landing

PHA prepared the EAS for the proposed Greenpoint Landing development in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. The proposed development requires several discretionary approvals, and the EAS focuses only on the incremental difference between the proposed development and the as-of-right development scenario. The increment assessed in the EAS consists of 707 dwelling units (431 affordable), approximately 4,900 gross square feet (gsf) of local retail space, approximately 120,000 gsf of community facility space housing a 640-seat public elementary/intermediate school, approximately 28,353 sf of public open space, and approximately 253 accessory parking spaces. The project was approved by the City Planning Commission on November 11, 2013.

RHEINGOLD REZONING

The FEIS for the Rheingold Rezoning was completed on October 11, 2013. The project involves a rezoning, changes to the city map, and other actions to facilitate the development of a mixed- use residential and commercial development within an approximately six--block area in Bushwick, Brooklyn. The rezoning is expected to result in the construction of about 1,000 dwelling units and 74,000 square feet of local retail on the former site of the Rheingold Brewery.

BROOKLYN COLLEGE NOSTRAND AVENUE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT ENTERS PUBLIC REVIEW PROCESS

PHA served as the planning and mapping consultant on the Brooklyn College Nostrand Avenue Development Project. This project, located on the eastern edge of College's campus, will replace an existing parking lot and access road with a new mixed-use development that would provide a center for the College's Business School, retail space, and allow for the creation of a new dormitory for the college. This project would provide a better link between the campus and The Junction, a neighboring commercial area and transit hub. PHA services on this project included preparing the Environmental Assessment Statement (EAS) and a City Map Change application to allow the demapping a short segment of Campus Road that would be replaced by a new circulation roadway.

The EAS and Negative Declaration for this project was issued by DASNY in March 2013 and the project's Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) applications were certified on May 20, 2013, initiating ULURP public review by the Community Board, Borough President, City Planning Commission, and City Council. CPC approval was granted on August 21, 2013 and, pending funding, construction could begin by 2015.

Micro Units Development

PHA prepared the EAS for the proposed Micro Units development in Manhattan. The project site is located at 335 East 27th Street in the Kips Bay neighborhood. The proposed project is the winner of the adAPT NYC competition, a competitive RFP to develop and operate the city’s first micro-unit apartment building. The development team consists of Monadnock Development and Actors Fund Housing Development Corporation. The project will consist of a new approximately 30,018 gross square foot (gsf) building containing 55 residential units and local retail and community facility space, with the residential units ranging from 250 to 370 square feet. The project requires several discretionary approvals, including a rezoning, a disposition of city-owned property, and other actions.

MCCARREN PARK MAPPING

PHA prepared the EAS and ULURP Application/map change drawings on behalf of the NYCDPR and the Open Space Alliance for North Brooklyn to eliminate and close a segment of Union Avenue between North 12th Street and Driggs Avenue in Williamsburg and remap this area as an addition to McCarren Park. The project was approved by the City Planning Commission on July 10, 2013.

EAST 25TH STREET CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FOR NEW PEDESTRIAN PLAZA

On December 18, 2012, East 25th Street was closed to through traffic between Lexington and Third Avenues to create a new pedestrian plaza adjacent to the Baruch College campus. PHA prepared a traffic study to evaluate the effects of the street closure, and coordinated with NYCDOT for project approval. The firm was also responsible for design of the interim plaza, which is expected to remain in place until the permanent plaza is completed. The firm is now working on the final design for the permanent plaza.

HUDSON YARDS GROUNDBREAKING

A groundbreaking ceremony was held on December 4, 2012 to formally kick off construction of the Hudson Yards development, portions of which will be constructed partially on a platform over the MTA's West Side Yard. PHA is currently providing civil engineering services to Related for the first phase of development. Previously, PHA was responsible for transportation and infrastructure planning for the overall site master plan, and has also prepared environmental review documents for several zoning text amendments related to the development.

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.

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.

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.