Harlem board offers land-use plan
Community Board 9, which represents West Harlem, recommended a plan to zone some of the area for light manufacturing while emphasizing mixed uses elsewhere.
Planning commission OKs West Side rezoning
The City Planning Commission approved a plan to rezone a 59-square-block area on Manhattan’s West Side from West 30th and West 43rd streets, between Seventh and Eighth avenues and Twelfth Avenue. The City Council has 60 days to review the proposal. Changes made during the public review process include an affordable housing expansion of up to 3,100 units and reducing commercial development from 28 million square feet to 26 million square feet.
Bloomberg: Miller to back West Side stadium
According to the New York Post, Mayor Bloomberg is counting City Council Speaker Gifford Miller as a supporter of his West Side development plan, even though Miller opposes borrowing money to build a new football stadium for the Jets and prefers that the city pay its $300 million portion through its capital budget. Bloomberg expects the City Council to approve the City Planning Commission’s rezoning proposal.
Vote on UN expansion plan suspended
The New York State Senate tabled its vote on a UN proposal to renovate its headquarters and build a 35-story tower in a nearby park. Brooklyn Republican Martin Golden criticized the UN for being ineffective.
Union Square Park renovations get $14M
Mayor Bloomberg announced a $14 million investment in renovations for Union Square Park, which are scheduled to begin next fall.
LMDC ready to pay $44.5M for last Ground Zero block
The Lower Manhattan Development Corporation authorized the purchase of the last piece of land needed to redevelop Ground Zero for $44.5 million. The block, bounded by Liberty, West, Cedar and Washington streets, is owned by the Milstein family. If no agreement is reached on the price, state condemnation may be necessary to acquire the site.
Six new BIDs on the way
Six new business improvement districts one in Manhattan’s Flatiron District and five in the outer boroughs are expected to be approved by year’s end, according to Crain’s.