New York City has selected three developers to build nearly 900 affordable homes in Brownsville, Brooklyn, on three city-owned sites identified through the Brownsville request for proposals (RFP).
The Brownsville RFP included approximately 173,000 sq. ft. of city-owned land across three sites for the development of mixed-income and mixed-use affordable housing. Each site focused on one specific theme that addresses the community goals and strategies outlined in the Brownsville Plan, according to a statement issued by the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD).
Site A: The Brownsville Arts Center and Apartments (BACA)
Located along Rockaway Avenue and Chester St., between East New York Ave. and Pitkin Ave., this project will be led by a development team that includes Blue Sea Development Co., Gilbane Development Co. and Artspace Projects. The development will contain approximately 230 units of affordable housing that will serve a range of incomes including extremely low-income and formerly homeless households. The building will feature 24,000 sq. ft. of arts and culture space that will be the home of a dance and performing arts school run by Purelements, a music school run by Brooklyn Music School, and a media lab and arts center run by BRIC. The building will also feature a collaborative black box theater that will accommodate a range of uses, including theater, dance, music and film. The theater will provide continuous cultural programming and will be accessible to the community and general public for events. The community identified the need for cultural space that will increase access and opportunities for neighborhood residents and nurture Brownsville’s artistic community. The HPD partnered with the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs to review proposals for the site.
Site B: Glenmore Manor Apartments
Located at the intersection of Christopher and Glenmore avenues, the project will be led by a development team that includes the African American Planning Commission (AAPC), Brisa Builders, and Lemle & Wolff. The development will include approximately 230 affordable homes serving a range of incomes and populations, including extremely low-income households, formerly homeless households and low-income seniors. It will feature 20,000 sq. ft. of new commercial and community space that will be home to the Brooklyn Cooperative Federal Credit Union, as well as a sit-down restaurant, and salon run by a locally-owned beauty products company. The site will also feature space for the Central Brooklyn Economic Development Corporation, and other partners who will expand their programming for young entrepreneurs and provide services for small businesses and nonprofits.
Site C: Livonia 4
The project will be developed by a team that includes Radson Development, Community Solutions and Catholic Charities Progress of Peoples Development Corporation. Livonia 4 is a multi-site development comprised of a series of parcels along Livonia Ave. between Powell St. and Mother Gaston Boulevard with an additional parcel at the intersection of Livonia Ave. and Amboy St. that will include over 420 units of affordable housing over four sites that will serve a range of incomes and populations, including extremely low-income households, formerly homeless households and low-income seniors. The largest site will include a new supermarket, café and a rooftop greenhouse that will serve as a new local source of fresh produce for distribution to building residents and the community through the supermarket and café. The remaining three sites will feature additional community gardens, social services, a new senior center and a youth and family recreation facility.
The Brownsville Plan is leading to the creation of over 2,500 new affordable homes, representing more than $1 billion of investment. Over 500 affordable apartments and for sale affordable homes are currently under construction. In addition to new development of vacant city-owned land, including the RFP sites, the plan also coordinates over $150 million in critical neighborhood investments, many of which are under way now or already complete.
