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Q&A
Council member inquires about Baker Avenue development plans
3:26:04
·
5 min
Council Member Kristy Marmorato questions the development team about specific plans for the Baker Avenue project, including building heights, property acquisition, and community benefits.
• The maximum building height on White Plains Road could be 125 feet (12 stories), while the Baker Avenue building would be 9 stories. • The development team expresses interest in acquiring three properties along Baker Avenue but states the project could move forward without them. • Plans include approximately 200 parking spaces, depending on the final site configuration. • The project includes open space along the railroad tracks, with a combination of passive and active areas, including children's play equipment and sprinklers. • The development team is considering creating community space that could be offered for public use.
Kristy Marmorato
3:26:04
Okay.
3:26:05
Now in the beginning of your when council member Riley asked you a question, you had mentioned that if you don't go above 50 teen stories that you're basically not gonna proceed with the project?
3:26:39
And then what would you do at that point sell the property or maintain it?
3:27:09
So you're you're basically saying that you invested 50, 000, 000 of your own money in order to help create the train station, the train stop?
3:27:27
Aren't these things that the MTA in the city should be funding?
3:27:32
Yes.
3:27:33
So these are this is money that you put forward on your own time.
3:27:42
And they thought the same for Morris Park as well?
3:27:46
And the other train stations you should find out.
3:27:48
Because that would be very helpful.
3:27:52
Alright.
3:27:54
Next, I'd like to speak to you, Nora, if possible.
3:27:57
So besides the rezoning, when you had mentioned, what was the height of the front building?
3:28:08
So that's about you said mine stories.
3:28:11
How many?
3:28:11
12 stories.
3:28:14
On on Baker.
3:28:15
There were 2 buildings.
3:28:16
Right?
3:28:25
Alright.
3:28:25
So besides the re rezoning, what other actions does your team still need to pursue to facilitate your proposed development?
3:28:32
Would there be any displacement as a part of your plan?
3:28:35
I know there were 3 properties in the front along Baker Avenue that have not been acquired.
3:28:41
Do you have plans of still acquiring them?
3:28:51
You can't.
3:29:09
Of course.
3:29:09
Do you have any plans for replacement for the individuals that are currently renting in the houses that are there?
3:29:16
If any, like, relocation opportunities for them.
3:29:22
And would you guys consider making that front property homeownership?
3:29:31
Great.
3:29:31
Thank you.
3:29:34
Parking is, again, 1 of my concerns at this site, especially given that DCP is proposing no parking minimums.
3:29:41
Would parking still be a part of your project?
3:29:45
And what number are we looking at?
3:29:59
Okay.
3:30:00
And would you be willing to create a community space for the residents of Van Ness?
3:30:19
Okay.
3:30:19
Great.
3:30:20
Thank you.
3:30:21
And what about your green spaces for the project?
3:30:45
sprinklers, some
3:30:47
Okay.
3:30:48
Good.
3:30:48
I like that.
3:30:50
Alright.
3:30:50
Thank you.
3:30:50
And HOMAN GIRO PRESIDENT.
3:30:55
SO I'M EXCITED ABOUT MODIFER BUILDING IN OUR COMMUNITY.
3:31:00
I FEEL LIKE OUR HOSPITALS ARE SO stressed out, and we really need the infrastructure Mhmm.
3:31:04
Especially with the other proposed development coming here
Leslie Himmel
3:26:23
I think the scale of the public amenities, the cost of the road, the cost of the attachment for the Metro North Station of $50, 000, 000 can't be amortized over a very small number of units in their what becomes economically not viable.
3:26:42
Well, keep it as a warehouse.
3:26:44
You know, it's an old warehouse, and that's it's fine.
3:26:47
You know, we we think since this is a a generational opportunity, I mean, the city has been so slow in building new train stops that with 8 acres, it would really be ashamed not to take advantage and to help the future development.
3:27:05
So 5, 10, 20, 30 years from now, it looks better.
3:27:15
Well, we we went through that I I thought before in details.
3:27:18
The the road is very expensive.
3:27:21
The train stop platform and attachment is also very expensive.
3:27:30
Go please go speak to them for us.
David Karnovsky
3:27:36
The MTA is taking the position that we need to fund it.
3:27:40
We need to maintain it.
3:27:45
I don't know the answer for Morris Park.
Nora Martins
3:28:04
I had not fully designed yet, but the maximum could be as a 125 feet.
3:28:12
12 for the project plans.
3:28:13
Right.
3:28:16
Yes.
3:28:16
Yes, sir.
3:28:17
I'm talking about the White Plains Road building.
3:28:18
No.
3:28:19
asking about the Baker Avenue building.
3:28:20
Yes.
3:28:21
That would be 9 stories.
3:28:44
Yes.
3:28:44
So they I mean, ideally, we would acquire those properties.
3:28:48
However, the development could move forward without them?
3:28:51
Yes.
3:28:52
Because the development already is considering separate buildings being developed.
3:28:56
We would move forward with the White Plains Road.
3:28:59
Development first as an initial phase looking to acquire the other properties, but, you know, we don't we are not intending to push out anybody.
3:29:06
Oh, that wants to remain so we can build
3:29:19
Yes.
3:29:19
We're happy to to discuss that.
3:29:21
Okay.
3:29:21
For sure.
3:29:27
Yes.
3:29:27
That's something that the owner will investigate and see if that is feasible.
3:29:44
Yes.
3:29:44
Absolutely.
3:29:47
It depends again on, you know, how many of this whether we have the full block or not, and whether the parking is attended or self parking, but it would likely be around 200 parking spaces.
3:30:04
You have something else that we are looking into with the owner as whether we can make the way the building is currently designed.
3:30:11
We have a lot of open space, and we're trying to create some community space in the building that would connect to the open space, and that could be offered to the community for use.
3:30:25
Yes.
3:30:26
So we because the site is large, We are able to provide a large open space along the railroad tracks at the rear of the of The development site, we're looking to have that be a combination of passive and active open space with some children's play equipment,
3:30:46
Simpson sprinkler.
Dylan Meagher
3:28:19
I'm totally
Logan Phares
3:28:22
9 stories.
3:28:22
Okay.
Kevin Daloia
3:31:07
Mhmm.