Q&A
Council member discusses open space, community benefits, and school plans for 1601 Bronxdale Avenue
3:20:55
·
5 min
Council Member Kristy Marmorato inquires about plans for open space, community benefits, and school construction at the 1601 Bronxdale Avenue site. The development team provides information on their commitments and potential amenities.
• The project includes plans for five open spaces, including two large spaces and three smaller pocket parks. • The development team commits to building a K-8 school on the site, in coordination with the School Construction Authority. • Discussions include potential community benefits such as daycare programs, after-school programs, and the possibility of including homeownership options and senior housing. • The development team expresses willingness to engage with the community through a task force or committee during the design process.
Kristy Marmorato
3:20:55
Okay.
3:20:56
Does your team provide a plan to for any open space?
3:21:00
And if so, what type of OPEN SPACE WILL IT ACTUALLY HAVE ON PLAYGROUNDS, COURTS, AND PLACES FOR KIDS TO USE.
David Karnovsky
3:21:06
THE Zoning requires as a condition of the bonus I described that there'd be 5 open spaces.
3:21:13
I think City Planning mentioned too, but there are actually 5 The 2 that were mentioned by city planning are the large spaces at the entrance at at the Bronxdale Avenue.
3:21:23
And the large space towards the end of the site, which joins the future pedestrian connection.
3:21:29
But there are also 3 other spaces which are more neighborhood like small pocket parks.
3:21:37
So altogether, there are 5.
3:21:38
The zoning specifies the standards for the provision of of spaces in terms of seating and planting etcetera.
3:21:45
Now you have pointed out that there is no provision for play space.
3:21:50
And we are looking at that in order to mix play space with the type of passive recreation that the zoning originally contemplated.
Kristy Marmorato
3:21:56
Okay.
3:21:58
How can neighbors get involved in helping to ensure these vital open spaces fit the needs of our community?
3:22:04
Will you have Outreach?
David Karnovsky
3:22:06
I think similar to the way others have described their long term plans for sites that aren't immediately available for development, we see us process engagement along the way with respect to elements such as the open space.
3:22:20
So for example, before providing city planning with designs for the open space, for purposes of eligibility for the bonus, we would expect to share them with the community to get feedback, to make adjustments, and to engage in a dynamic process.
Kristy Marmorato
3:22:35
Is your team committed to building a school on this site?
3:22:38
And specifically, is your team committed to building a k through 8 school on this site.
Leslie Himmel
3:22:44
The answer to that is yes.
3:22:46
We've been meeting with the the school construction authority for years already.
3:22:52
Originally, I think it was just k through 6.
3:22:54
They've asked us to or k through 5.
3:22:56
They've recently asked us to expand it.
3:22:58
And we know desperately that the schools are needed and we're happy to accommodate that.
3:23:03
We think it's a good use and a very important item for the community.
Kristy Marmorato
3:23:09
Okay.
3:23:10
I'm a mom in the neighborhood, so I've been to plenty of drops off, said different schools, would you consider moving the school to the front of the property instead of having it all the way in the back?
3:23:20
I know the purpose of the school is for the residents within the buildings.
3:23:24
But a lot of outside residents will come.
3:23:27
Would you consider putting it in the front of the property?
3:23:29
We can look at it.
3:23:30
Okay.
3:23:31
Because it becomes very crazy with cars and parents and buses and drop offs.
3:23:36
So many parts of the district are essentially food deserts.
3:23:40
Would your team consider finding a large grocery tenant to be a part of this development?
3:23:45
And if so, what brands have you actually reached out to already?
Leslie Himmel
3:23:49
Definitely on our radar, we think we know there's not enough good and large supermarkets.
3:23:55
We haven't reached out to anybody yet because it if this is a, you know, 5 or 6 year plan, you can't sign a lease today for that.
3:24:02
But certainly, you know, some of the larger groups that can do well in service fresh produce and good foods we will be talking to.
Kristy Marmorato
3:24:12
Okay.
3:24:12
Thank you.
3:24:13
And what community benefits could my constituents expect from this development?
3:24:18
You gonna provide any day care programs, after school programs within the school?
3:24:22
Are you gonna help fund these things?
3:24:24
I understand green space is important, and I appreciate that, but there are other things that communities need?
Leslie Himmel
3:24:30
I think as we get more involved with the school administration and have the plans approved, we can start talking to the the schools, to providing some after school programming.
Kristy Marmorato
3:24:41
Okay.
3:24:42
A great need in the Bronx' homeownership.
3:24:44
Would your team be willing to provide condos or coop says a part of your development project, and would you be willing to go as high as 50% homeownership?
Leslie Himmel
3:24:56
I I think we would definitely include some home ownership and I we haven't really studied the numbers to be able to comment to
Kristy Marmorato
3:25:03
Would you also consider placing senior housing on your property
Leslie Himmel
3:25:08
not opposed to that I'm I'm getting up there.
Kristy Marmorato
3:25:15
So while we recognize that the development site may not come for many years, if the rezoning is approved, how many my community deserves to be informed about along the way.
3:25:26
How does your team commit to providing updates and engaging the community during this design?
David Karnovsky
3:25:34
I think that we can look towards the creation of some kind of a group, call it a task force, call it a committee, There are many names that can attach to it, but the idea of being to create a structure around that where community members are involved on an ongoing basis as we develop designs, as we develop open space designs and so forth and so.
3:25:56
And it's going to be a long road in a long process.
3:25:59
But for that reason, I think we need some kind of a structure around that, and it can be done.
