The New York State government has approved a proposal to build 322 affordable and supportive apartments in Central Brooklyn.
Part of the $1.4 billion Vital Brooklyn initiative, Utica Crescent will develop the sitre, currently a parking lot owned by One Brooklyn Health System (OBHS), adjacent to Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center. Utica Crescent is a joint venture by Monadnock Development LLC and CB-Emmanuel Realty LLC.
Thirty-four of the units will be reserved for formerly homeless individuals and families, and 96 of the units will be set aside for seniors.
The winning proposal includes plans for a new dialysis center operated by OBHS to replace their current smaller dialysis center on the Kingsbrook Jewish campus. The building will also include a large full-service grocery store as the anchor commercial tenant, and smaller ground floor storefronts that will accommodate local businesses. In addition, an underground parking garage with 300 parking spaces will be provided for Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center employees that currently park at the development site.
The development features a host of energy efficiency strategies that contribute to community and individual health, including green roofs, an Enterprise Green Communities Certification, and meeting the standards of the ENERGY STAR multifamily high-rise program to satisfy Climate Bond Initiative requirements.
Utica Crescent will also provide approximately 30,000 square feet of open space that includes a large interior courtyard with resident gardens, timber bleachers, walking paths, and several outdoor activity areas. Space for both active and passive recreation such as games, walking, sitting and picnicking, will allow the diverse resident populations to enjoy the same space. Landscaping along the street level will include tree beds, seating, bicycle racks, and outdoor bicycle storage for grocery store customers.
“Monadnock is beyond excited to be a part of the team selected to develop affordable housing at this Central Brooklyn site, adjacent to the venerable Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center,” Nicholas Lembo, chairman, Monadnock Development & Monadnock Construction, said in a statement. “Thank you to Governor Andrew Cuomo, NYS HCR Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas and One Brooklyn Health System CEO Laray Brown for their confidence in our ability to provide high quality homes for the people who need them most.”
The announced project adds to six winning proposals previously announced by the Governor in November 2018, December 2019 and January 2020. Together, these developments will advance the Vital Brooklyn initiative’s commitment to creating 4,000 affordable homes in Central Brooklyn. Each of the winning proposals incorporates social, medical, and community services; recreational and educational opportunities; and apartments and supportive services for the developmentally disabled, individuals aging out of foster care, and chronically homeless families.
