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Housing Preservation & Development


Nevins and Third RFP


Nevins and Third RFP Process and Frequently Asked Questions

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RFP Process and Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the RFP Process?

A Request for Proposals (RFP) is a document issued by HPD that seeks proposals for new housing and community amenities on City-owned land. Development teams propose projects in response to the criteria and requirements outlined in the document. These proposals are evaluated based on their ability to meet the requirements and advance the goals as reflected in the competitive criteria of the document as well as the Community Visioning Report (CVR) that is attached to the RFP document.

Check out the additional information below to learn more about the RFP process, milestones, and FAQs. Throughout the process, updates about the RFP release, pre-submission conference, required forms, addenda and more will be posted in the Submit an RFP Response tab.

Frequently Asked Questions

Want to learn more about the RFP process and milestones? Check out the FAQ below.

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Click a topic, or press the enter key on a topic, to reveal its answer.

Community Input

The community was already engaged about the sites during the 2022 rezonings. How is this input being considered?

Community input for the sites was gathered during the public review process for the rezonings. That input helped establish the goals for the sites described in the Sites Overview tab.

How will community input be incorporated into the RFP?

The results of the current engagement will be summarized in the Nevins and Third Community Visioning Report (CVR). The CVR is provided as part of the RFP document so that prospective developers can understand and craft proposals that are responsive to the priorities and needs of the community. Proposals will be evaluated in part on how thoughtfully they consider and respond to the priorities and needs, in addition to other evaluation criteria. (See the How to Get Involved tab for opportunities to provide your input on the project.)

Will there be additional opportunities for community feedback after the developer is selected?

Yes. The community engagement process does not end with the release of the CVR. Once selected, the developer and HPD will report back to the Community Board and other key stakeholders about project progress toward major milestones and how to apply for affordable housing.

Additionally, after developer selection, requested land use approvals will go through the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) and go before the Community Board, Borough President's Office, City Planning Commission, and Council Member for further review.

Will input from people who live far away from the sites have the same weight as people near the sites?

While we get input from many different types of stakeholders, and our goal is to focus on the big picture and to hear as many perspectives as possible, we are conducting extensive outreach in the community to ensure that those who may be most impacted by the new development are informed and have opportunities to provide feedback.

Once the buildings are complete, how can I apply to live in one of the units?

After construction, newly available apartments go through a lottery process. The buildings on the sites will be in development for several years, but in the meantime, you can visit NYC Housing Connect online for more information about current affordable housing lotteries. For help on how to apply, contact a nearby NYC Housing Ambassador in Brooklyn. A complete list of Housing Ambassadors can be found at nyc.gov/housing-ambassadors.

Requests for Proposals

What is a Request for Proposals (RFP)?

An RFP is a document issued by HPD that seeks proposals for new housing and community amenities on City-owned land. Development teams propose projects in response to the criteria and requirements outlined in the document. Such proposals are evaluated based on their ability to meet such requirements and advance the goals as reflected in the competitive criteria of the document as well as the CVR that will be attached to the RFP document.

Why is HPD issuing an RFP on this site?

Many New Yorkers are experiencing homelessness, living in poor quality housing, or struggling to keep up with housing costs. A priority for the mayoral administration is for HPD to finance and preserve more affordable housing, and to enable new affordable housing developments to include important community amenities. HPD worked with Councilmember Restler to prioritize affordable housing on these two City-owned sites.

What is the timeline of the RFP and project? When will it be completed? When will it be ready to rent?

The development of City-owned sites is a multi-year process, and we are currently in the early stages. After community visioning and release of the RFP, developers will have time to respond, and the City will then review the proposals. After thorough review, HPD will announce the selected development team(s) for the sites. At this point, any remaining public approvals will be obtained, financing will be finalized, and the buildings will be constructed.

Can the community help choose the developers or proposal for the site?

We highly value community input informing the development of the RFP before it is written and issued, which is why we are gathering your input. HPD takes the integrity of its RFP competitive review process seriously. As such, HPD is required to ensure that the RFP process prevents potential conflicts of interest (and disqualifications of teams because of potential conflict of interest) and cannot allow community members to partake in the review.

As stated above and in the How to Get Involved tab, the input gathered throughout the engagement process is published in the CVR and attached to the RFP for development teams to refer to in crafting proposals. Proposals will be scored in part on how well they respond to the visions of the community.

Will we be able to see the RFP when it is released?

Yes. The RFP and any relevant supplemental information are public documents and will be linked in the Submit an RFP Response tab and downloadable as PDFs.

Site Design and Zoning Parameters

What is the current zoning for the sites? How tall will the buildings be?

The Nevins Street site is zoned R7A which allows for a residential building up to nine stories. The building’s base height, or height along the street frontage, may only go up to seven stories, and the remaining two stories must be set back from the street line. The ground floor may include a community facility use (educational, health, recreational, religious or other services) or be fully residential.

The Third Avenue site is zoned R7D and is included within a C2-4 commercial overlay. This zoning allows for a mixed-use residential building up to 11 stories. The building’s base height, or height along the street frontage, may only go up to nine stories, and the remaining two stories must be set back from the street line. Residences are not permitted on the ground floor in this zoning district; the ground floor may be a combination of community facility and/or commercial uses.

Both sites were rezoned in 2022 and another rezoning is not currently being considered. More information about these zoning districts can be found in the Department of City Planning (DCP)’s Zoning Handbook.

HPD is gathering input on potential ground floor community facility and/or commercial uses during the community engagement process.

What will happen to the existing parking lots on these sites?

The existing parking lots are currently leased by a private tenant. This lease will expire at the end of 2024.

How will any contamination be handled?

The development team(s) will be responsible for remediating the sites of any contamination found from past uses, in adherence to the standards of the NYC Office of Environmental Remediation.

Affordability

What will be the rents and income qualifications for the new units?

The RFP for these sites will require proposals where 100% of the units are affordable according to the incomes outlined in HPD’s financing programs for the different types of rental housing that will be built.

Will there be homeownership opportunities as part of these developments?

In accordance with the goals of the project established with Councilmember Restler and described in the Sites Overview tab, the sites will include multifamily and senior rental housing, not homeownership.

Will market rate housing be part of these developments?

The RFP will require proposals for housing that is 100% affordable, where all units are income restricted and rent regulated through a regulatory agreement with HPD.

Will the units be permanently affordable?

RFP respondents are required to put forth proposals with long-term or permanent affordability. HPD will also convey the sites subject to a remainder interest, so that title to the sites will revert to the City upon expiration of the initial regulatory period, unless the parties agree to an extended term of affordability.

Will there be a preference for community residents in the new development?

Under current policy, a developer must, during initial rent-up of an HPD development, give preference for 20% of the income-restricted units to applicants who, at the time of application, are residents of Brooklyn Community District 2 (in which the sites are located) or Brooklyn Community District 6 (to which the sites are adjacent). If the development is advertised for initial rent-up after April 30, 2029, the developer must give preference for 15% of the income-restricted units to applicants who are residents of Community District 2 or Community District 6.

Depending on the housing programs selected and the resulting financing sources, different rules may apply to parts of the development which could result in a community preference, a borough-wide preference, or no geographically-based preference at all.

Economic Development and Other Community Impacts

Will jobs be available for Brooklyn residents?

All projects financed by HPD must include a plan for job outreach to community residents related to employment opportunities generated by the project. HPD is also connecting Brooklyn residents to jobs in the building trades. The HireNYC program requires that housing development receiving $2 million or more in HPD subsidy post their open positions with the Workforce1 system and consider qualified candidates.

Do we know how the new development will impact the neighborhood and associated infrastructure (schools, transit, noise, etc.)?

Because the project involves transfer of City-owned land, there will be an extensive public review process. As a part of public review, an environmental review will be required to assess potential impacts to the surrounding area. Should any adverse impacts be identified, steps will be taken to mitigate them to the greatest extent practicable.