Project Description
The proposal involves the New York Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) and the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) seeking approval for (i) the disposition of a negative easement corresponding to the transfer or sale of development rights from City-owned properties to adjacent privately-owned properties; and (ii) the disposition of light and air easements over the City-owned properties. In addition, the owners of the adjacent private properties are seeking approval for special permits pursuant to Zoning Resolution (ZR) 117-533 to modify street wall requirements. The owner of Block 432, Lot 21 is also seeking approval for a special permit pursuant to ZR 16-352 and 74-52 to allow public parking. These discretionary approvals would facilitate the development of two new mixed-use buildings that will include affordable housing (the Proposed Project) at 26-32 Jackson Avenue and 27-01 Jackson Avenue (collectively, the Project Sites), in Long Island City, Queens, Community District 2. The development rights proposed for conveyance to private property owners are generated by adjacent City-owned lots (the Disposition Sites) located partially beneath the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge Approach. DCAS will convey the development rights to the respective owners of the adjacent privately-owned properties and HPD is expected to enter into a restrictive declaration with those owners. The first site is located at 27-01 Jackson Avenue, Queens NY (Block 432, Lot 21), on the block bounded by Hunter Street, 42nd Road, Jackson Avenue, and 43rd Avenue (North Site). The project site measures approximately 9,190 square feet (sf). Currently the North Site is a vacant lot. The adjacent City-owned disposition sites (Lots 18 and 29) are vacant and located beneath the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge Approach. Under the proposal, the North Site would be developed with the proposed project, a new 27 story, approximately 179,100 gross square foot (gsf) building containing 120 dwelling units (with up to 40 affordable), approximately 10,454 gsf of retail space, and 91 public parking spaces located in a two-level, above grade garage. The second site is located at 26-32 Jackson Avenue, Queens NY (Block 267, Lot 21), on the block bounded by Jackson Avenue, Purves Street, Dutch Kills Street, and Sunnyside Railroad Yard (South Site). The project site measures approximately 10,000 square feet (sf). Currently the South Site is occupied by a vacant, one-story building. The adjacent City-owned disposition site (Lot 25) is currently used as parking, and contains the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge Approach ramps. Under the proposal, the South Site would be developed with the proposed project, a new 49 story, approximately 416,100 gross square foot (gsf) building containing 361 dwelling units (with up to 112 affordable), approximately 11,017 gsf of retail space, and 5,015 gsf of space that may be used for retail or community facility use.