Spofford Live/Work Campus: Request For Expressions of Interest (RFEI) Public Meeting August 3, 2015
Agenda Presentation (20 minutes) Small Group Discussions (40 minutes) Report Back (10-15 minutes) Close Out/Next Steps (5 minutes) **After meeting ends, NYCEDC and HPD to remain for Q&A** 2
Site Assets More than 200,000 sq. ft. lot size in Hunts Point, Bronx Recreational Amenities nearby, such as Julio Carballo Fields, Hunts Point Recreation Center, South Bronx Greenway Easy Transportation Access, such as: Bruckner expressway and operational freight train lines Access to subway and bus lines Unobstructed panoramic views 6 Close proximity to Hunts Point Food Distribution Center 6 Close Proximity to historic Bank Note Building NEW YORK CITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION 3
Hunts Point Context 4
Site Context & Information Combined lot size: 207,000 square feet or approx. 4.75 acres Includes the former Spofford complex, the Head Start facility and parking lots R6 Zoning; 3.0 Max FAR; 600,000 buildable SF Corpus Christi Monastery Head Start Facility must remain in operation The City will consider proposals that contemplate demolition and/or renovation of all or a portion of the site RFEI site boundary City Parks Former Spofford Detention Center site Parking Lot Head Start facility 5
What is a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI)? Provides maximum flexibility and encourages creativity in proposals Typically used when a project s goals are clearly outlined but the development program is not prescribed For example, the project requires mixed uses but allows for flexibility in the size and placement of those uses Advertises the availability of a catalytic development that aligns with policy goals Housing New York Hunts Point Vision Plan 6
Project Goals Consistent with Housing New York, increase new residential units by promoting mixed use, mixed income communities anchored by affordable housing Foster innovative industrial and/or commercial uses compatible with affordable housing Incorporate community and commercial uses that provide services, amenities and facilities relevant to the surrounding neighborhood and create a vibrant live/work campus Create high-quality, career-oriented jobs and deliver comprehensive hiring and wage programs Incorporate design excellence into the development Execute a financially feasible project 7
Redevelopment Uses Proposals should include a substantial affordable housing component and respondents are encouraged to consider a wide range of integrated residential, commercial, cultural, institutional, open/green and light manufacturing uses, such as: Residential: (ex: affordable housing, market rate housing) Commercial: (ex: retail, restaurants, offices) Non-profit and community uses: (ex: arts and culture, education, health) Light manufacturing: (e.g., food production) Publicly accessible open and green spaces The following uses are prohibited and will not be considered: Heavy manufacturing Toxic or harmful uses Storage facilities and other uses which have low potential to create jobs 8
Priorities and Potential Uses Voiced to Date High-quality, career-oriented, high-wage jobs in growth sectors (e.g. media, food manufacturing, health) Workforce development and training and facilities, services and programs focused on education, job-readiness and training, recreation and athletics, education and skill-building for youth and young adults Local retail for residents and workers including quality sit-down dining (not chains) Higher educational institution or satellite campus including technical/vocational school Affordable housing for current residents and recent graduates/young professionals, and mixed income housing Affordable office space with stable lease terms for local non-profits Respondent teams with local knowledge and/or relationships Open and/or green spaces Design considerations which encourage vibrant street life Community-oriented banks/financial institutions to serve local residents Arts and cultural orgs and programming 9 9
Mixed-Use Example*: Bronx Commons An arts-based mixed-use development which incorporates affordable housing, a cultural facility, green and open spaces, commercial uses Bronx Commons Local and non-for-profit developers including Women s Housing and Economic Development Corporation (WHEDco) and Blue Sea Development Company Features: 361,000 square feet 277 affordable housing units Bronx Music Heritage Center Community programming Retail Space Rooftop urban farm Sustainable open space for recreation Bronx Commons (Source: WHEDco) *Example for illustrative purposes only 10
Discussion (40 minutes) What are your priorities for the Spofford redevelopment? Are there particular uses you would like to see included in the Spofford redevelopment? Are there unmet needs in the Hunts Point community that could be addressed by this project? Are there any other questions or comments you would like to share with us? 11
Timeline & Next Steps RFEI-related questions should be sent to: SpoffordRFEI@edc.nyc by September 7 Questions will be posted periodically on the website until September 16 (http://www.nycedc.com/opportunity/spofford-live-work-campus-rfei) Interested organizations, developers and partners can sign up for the Subcontractors & Suppliers List October 1: RFEI Responses Due What happens after responses are due? The Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) and NYCEDC will review RFEI proposals based on their overall quality, alignment with project goals and satisfaction of selection criteria 12
Input from Small Group Breakout Sessions 13
SUMMARY OF FEEDBACK FROM COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SESSION ON AUGUST 3, 2015 On August 3, 2015, NYCEDC held a public engagement session at The Point Community Development Corporation in Hunts Point to provide an overview of the Spofford Live/Work RFEI and discuss goals and priorities with the community. Over 110 Hunts Point residents, business owners, community organizations attended the meeting along with real estate developers, elected officials, and agency representatives. The following is a summary of the community feedback transcribed from the Community Engagement Session on August 3 rd, 2015. NYCEDC is providing this summary strictly for informational purposes only. It should in no way be considered the opinion of NYCEDC or HPD. Please be advised that, as noted in the Spofford Live/Work Campus RFEI issued on June 23, 2015, all due diligence is the responsibility of the Respondent. The City and NYCEDC, and their respective officers, employees, and agents, make no representation or warranty and assume no responsibility for the accuracy of the information set forth in this summary. Overall, public input consistently centered on: The desire/need for a comprehensive, holistic, integrated development approach to build on the existing strengths of the Hunts Point residential, business and non-profit communities and to provide more opportunity for all through: o Job creation in growing sectors with sufficient training and wraparound services, and opportunities for training and hiring for local residents o More opportunities and spaces for community gathering, learning, socializing and recreation o o Affordable housing accessible to current and returning residents The creation of a vibrant live/work campus where the Hunts Point community can live, learn, work and play Strong community preference to demolish all or a majority of the former Spofford Facility Concern regarding possibility of increased traffic, particularly trucks, from redevelopment Specific input included: Need for high-quality, career-oriented, high-wage jobs and technical jobs o Workforce development and training and facilities, services and programs focused on education, job-readiness and training, as well as education and skill-building for youth and young adults o Strengthen entrepreneurship, support and encourage small businesses, especially local retail and food establishments o Maximize job creation opportunities for the local community o Create jobs in existing growth sectors within Hunts Point and Bronx (e.g. tech, media, food manufacturing, health), A specific example that was raised was a culinary institute for training with connection to Hunts Point Food Distribution Center, restaurant test kitchen, certification programs, cooking classes, wellness classes, community garden or farm Preference for mixed income housing (from very low-income, to moderate income, through market rate income housing) with amenities affordable to current residents and recent graduates and/or young professionals. o Create housing and amenities that retain rising young professional cohort within Hunts Point or entices them to return to the neighborhood o Include a mix of unit types o Maximize affordability term, with a preference for permanent affordability o o Include sufficient parking for any new residential units Specific populations were mentioned in relation to affordable housing included: local teachers, kids aging out of foster care, seniors, young mothers, single fathers, populations who do not qualify for NYCHA/Section 8 vouchers, local artists 1
Desire for public, open and connected spaces and uses o Encourage vibrancy, interaction, safety and activity (e.g., active living by design ) in site design and ground floor uses o Add streets within the Site to break up the feel of a super block (e.g., extend Baretto Street onto the Site) o Include publicly accessible new open space, such as courtyards, parks, performance spaces, rooftop public spaces, and recreation o Provide free wi-fi throughout the redevelopment, both within each building and for any open space(s) o Emphasize high-quality and contextual designed spaces and structures for the community o Maximize public access to uses/amenities/programming on building rooftop(s) Specific uses mentioned included: Educational o Interest in a higher educational institution or satellite campus, such as a technical/vocational school, training center, culinary school with connection to Hunts Point markets (i.e., Food Distribution Center), health care related education facility o Educational component should emphasize teaching skills that allow for high-wages, such as trades, skills for people re-entering the community, tech training, and health care-related education Commercial o Local retail that provides: Quality sit-down restaurants, healthy food options Opportunity for locally-owned businesses to own and/or operate space Goods and services for workers and residents who currently have to leave Hunts Point for these needs Continuous activity for the community o Restaurant/catering/banquet hall o Community-oriented banks/financial institutions that can serve local residents o Affordable office space with stable lease terms for local non-profits Local businesses/office space Arts and cultural organizations and programming, including possible integration across campus uses (e.g., live/work for local artists and performance spaces, artists who live and/or work in the building bring their art and share their skill sets with the community ( each one, teach one ) o Local entertainment venues (e.g., a bowling alley) o Fresh produce market or supermarket, in particular: Access to fresh produce and healthy food on site that is affordable to the community Integrated food-related uses on site (e.g., start-up kitchens, culinary education center, community garden, café/restaurant, cooking classes) Recreation o Provide additional recreational spaces and programming opportunities (e.g. swimming pool) Resource centers and community gathering spaces o Library space that, in addition to books, provides computers for youth, cultural and training programs, museum for South Bronx culture o Community gathering places/spaces Vibrant community space where individuals and families can meet, relax, socialize, dine, be entertained (e.g. a café) Cultural center that enriches the children, early intervention children, middle school (crime prevention), interconnected age programming (e.g. youth and seniors) 2