NYCHA & HPA Release a Request for Proposals for Two NextGen Neighborhoods Development Sites 20160630 - NYCHA

NYC Housing Authority


Press Release


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 30, 2016
CONTACT: media@nycha.nyc.gov | (212) 306-3322

NYCHA & HPD RELEASE A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR TWO NEXTGEN NEIGHBORHOODS DEVELOPMENT SITES

City Seeks Development Partners to Create Mixed-Income Housing on the Grounds of NYCHA’s Holmes Towers and Wyckoff Gardens

NEW YORK— The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) and the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) today released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the development of mixed-income housing at two NYCHA developments: Holmes Towers in Manhattan and Wyckoff Gardens in Brooklyn. The projects outlined in the RFP are the outcome of extensive resident and community stakeholder engagement as part of NYCHA’s NextGeneration (NextGen) Neighborhoods program, which will generate revenue to be reinvested back into the development sites and across NYCHA’s portfolio by leveraging a 50-50 split of market-rate and affordable housing units.

This RFP advances the goals of Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Housing New York: A Five-Borough, 10-Year Housing Plan to create and preserve 200,000 affordable housing units over the next 10 years. It also helps achieve NYCHA’s goal to rebuild, expand and preserve public and affordable housing as part of NextGeneration NYCHA, the Authority’s 10-year strategic plan.

“The NextGen Neighborhoods program enables us to not only create much-needed housing for low-income New Yorkers, but to generate revenue to address NYCHA’s critical repair needs,” said NYCHA Chair and CEO Shola Olatoye. “This Request for Proposals reflects the input we received from residents, advocates and other key stakeholders after an extensive and meaningful engagement process that will continue as the development moves forward.”

“NYCHA is a critical partner in finding solutions to our City’s housing crisis,” said HPD Commissioner Vicki Been. “I look forward to working with Chair Olatoye and her team to create dynamic developments on these two NYCHA-owned sites that will expand the pool of affordable housing and add to the vibrancy and diversity of our communities.”

Through the RFP, the City invites developers, including non-profit entities and M/WBE firms, to submit proposals for the design, financing, construction, and operations of 50 percent affordable and 50 percent market-rate rental housing, as well as community and commercial space at Holmes Towers and Wyckoff Gardens. Applicants may submit proposals for one or both projects.

Unlike previous approaches that presented a finalized plan for residents after the fact, NYCHA has been seeking resident input at the front end to help shape the final plan. To that end, NYCHA has held 40 meetings and conducted floor-by-floor outreach with residents from Holmes Towers and Wyckoff Gardens and since Fall 2015. Resident input helped inform the RFP and determine priorities for capital repairs, which will occur concurrently with new construction. Preference will be given to proposals that align with resident recommendations.

Holmes Towers:

The Holmes Towers Community Principles developed with residents and community stakeholders include recommendations on the location and height of the buildings, the character of the mix of programs and uses at the sites, and preferences for possible improvements to the sites.

The Holmes Towers development site is located along 92nd Street between two existing buildings. Residents agreed that this site would foster a sense of community between the residents of the new building and the current residents. The developer would be required to replace the playground on the site.

The development plan for this site should include approximately 300 residential units (50 percent affordable and 50 percent market-rate).

The developer should include a minimum of 5,000 square feet of community facility space for all residents, as well as the surrounding community.

Wyckoff Gardens:

The Wyckoff Gardens Community Principles developed with residents and community stakeholders include recommendations on the location and height of the buildings, the character of the mix of programs and uses at the sites, and preferences for possible improvements to the sites.

The Wyckoff Gardens development sites are located at the corner of 3rd Avenue and Wyckoff Street, and the corner of Nevins Street and Wyckoff Street. Residents agreed that two smaller buildings, one on each of these sites, were preferable to a single, much larger building.

The development plan should include approximately 500 residential units (50 percent affordable and 50 percent market-rate).

The developer should include a minimum of 10,000 square feet of commercial space and 10,000 square feet of community facility space for all residents, as well as the surrounding community.

NYCHA will retain rights to the land developed through a long-term ground lease and provide critical oversight to the project. Developers will be required to train and hire public housing and low-income residents, and proactively engage NYCHA residents on a regular basis as the project moves forward. Rents will be stabilized in the completed properties. NYCHA residents will have a preference for 25 percent of the affordable housing units.

To ensure residents continue to be actively engaged throughout the process, NYCHA created NextGen Neighborhoods Stakeholder Committees, comprised of residents, community representatives, and elected officials at Wyckoff Gardens and Holmes Towers. The Stakeholder Committee will work directly with the selected developer partners by representing the interests and concerns of residents, neighbors, and the community.

The RFP submission period will run from June 30 through September 30, 2016. Proposals are due by hand on September 30, 2016 no later than 4 p.m. The RFP can be accessed at the NYCHA and HPD websites.

###

About the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) NYCHA’s mission is to increase opportunities for low- and moderate-income New Yorkers by providing safe, affordable housing and facilitating access to social and community services. For more information, visit www.nyc.gov/nycha and for regular updates on NYCHA news and services, connect with us via www.facebook.com/NYCHA and www.twitter.com/NYCHA.

About the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD)
HPD is the nation’s largest municipal housing preservation and development agency. Its mission is to promote quality housing and diverse, thriving neighborhoods for New Yorkers through loan and development programs for new affordable housing, preservation of the affordability of the existing housing stock, enforcement of housing quality standards, and educational programs for tenants and building owners. For more information visit www.nyc.gov/hpd and for regular updates on HPD news and services, connect with us via www.facebook.com/nychousing and www.twitter.com/nychousing.