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?
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.
Kristy Marmorato
3:26:39
And then what would you do at that point sell the property or maintain it?
Leslie Himmel
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.
Kristy Marmorato
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?
Leslie Himmel
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.
Kristy Marmorato
3:27:27
Aren't these things that the MTA in the city should be funding?
Leslie Himmel
3:27:30
Go please go speak to them for us.
Kristy Marmorato
3:27:32
Yes.
3:27:33
So these are this is money that you put forward on your own time.
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.
Kristy Marmorato
3:27:42
And they thought the same for Morris Park as well?
David Karnovsky
3:27:45
I don't know the answer for Morris Park.
Kristy Marmorato
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?
Nora Martins
3:28:04
I had not fully designed yet, but the maximum could be as a 125 feet.
Kristy Marmorato
3:28:08
So that's about you said mine stories.
3:28:11
How many?
3:28:11
12 stories.
Nora Martins
3:28:12
12 for the project plans.
3:28:13
Right.
Kristy Marmorato
3:28:14
On on Baker.
3:28:15
There were 2 buildings.
3:28:16
Right?
Nora Martins
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.
Dylan Meagher
3:28:19
I'm totally
Nora Martins
3:28:19
asking about the Baker Avenue building.
3:28:20
Yes.
3:28:21
That would be 9 stories.
Logan Phares
3:28:22
9 stories.
3:28:22
Okay.
Kristy Marmorato
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?
Nora Martins
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?
Kristy Marmorato
3:28:51
You can't.
Nora Martins
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
Kristy Marmorato
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.
Nora Martins
3:29:19
Yes.
3:29:19
We're happy to to discuss that.
3:29:21
Okay.
3:29:21
For sure.
Kristy Marmorato
3:29:22
And would you guys consider making that front property homeownership?
Nora Martins
3:29:27
Yes.
3:29:27
That's something that the owner will investigate and see if that is feasible.
Kristy Marmorato
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?
Nora Martins
3:29:44
Yes.
3:29:44
Absolutely.
Kristy Marmorato
3:29:45
And what number are we looking at?
Nora Martins
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.
Kristy Marmorato
3:29:59
Okay.
3:30:00
And would you be willing to create a community space for the residents of Van Ness?
Nora Martins
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.
Kristy Marmorato
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?
Nora Martins
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,
Kristy Marmorato
3:30:45
sprinklers, some
Nora Martins
3:30:46
Simpson sprinkler.
Kristy Marmorato
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
Kevin Daloia
3:31:07
Mhmm.