New York City Economic Development Corporation Seeks Developer for Mixed-Use Site in West Harlem
Project is Next Step in Facilitating New Retail and Industrial Developments in the Area
On Thursday, New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) issued a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) for the purchase and redevelopment of buildings in the former Taystee Bakery complex in West Harlem. The site, located at 461 West 125th Street and 426-458 West 126th Street, contains a series of six buildings that vary from one to six stories. The total Site area encompasses approximately 40,800 square feet with the building area containing approximately 134,000 square feet.
"The opportunity to redevelop the former Taystee Bakery complex represents a chance to bring economic activity and new jobs to West Harlem," said NYCEDC President Seth W. Pinsky. "We look forward to reviewing the responses and moving as quickly as possible to reactivate this important site."
The RFEI seeks to gauge interest in rehabilitation of any or all buildings on the site which has 25 feet of frontage on the north side of West 125th Street and 360 feet of frontage on the south side of West 126th Street. Previously, improvements have been made to the portion fronting on West 125th Street, including the development of a two-story building containing a Citarella grocery store, offices and storage. The portion of the lot fronting on West 126th Street contains five buildings that are not currently occupied.
The neighborhood surrounding the site is predominantly residential with some ground floor retail and second floor commercial activity located along portions of Amsterdam Avenue, Broadway and West 125th Street. The adjacent M1-1 district also contains an MTA bus garage at Amsterdam Avenue and West 128th Street, a Verizon warehouse along West 128th Street east of Amsterdam Avenue, and the Mink Building, a mixed use facility comprising offices, light industrial, warehouse and retail spaces.
The City's Department of City Planning (DCP) has recently undertaken a rezoning study of West Harlem comprising 90 blocks bounded by West 126th Street to the south, West 155th Street to the north, Riverside Drive to the west, and Bradhurst, Edgecombe and St. Nicholas Avenues to the east. The study includes the West Harlem manufacturing district where part of the Site is located. It is anticipated that the portion of the Site fronting West 125th Street will retain its current C4-4D zoning and the portion fronting West 126th Street will be rezoned from M1-1 to M1-5/R7-2 to allow new residential developments, local retail, commercial, automotive-related and light manufacturing uses, community facility uses. It is expected that DCP will certify the rezoning into the City's Uniform Land Use Review Process in spring 2011.
"I am very pleased that EDC is moving forward in seeking a developer for this property. The new zoning, which we hope to be enacted sometime over the next year, will provide numerous options for those with vision who want to help move the community forward and provide much needed jobs. There can be significant benefit to our community if this property is developed in an appropriate way," said Councilmember Robert Jackson.
"Community Board Nine considers the properties to be one of the most viable and important development opportunities in West Harlem. We intend to be fully engaged in this process as it moves forward. The RFEI being issued by the NYCEDC is an important first step to engage the development community. CB9 will be working with the NYCEDC to make sure any new development comports with the vision of the community," said Community Board Nine Chair Larry English.
To obtain a copy of the complete RFEI, please visit www.nycedc.com/rfp . Responses are due on January 19, 2011 at 4 p.m.
About NYCEDC
New York City Economic Development Corporation is the City's primary vehicle for promoting economic growth in each of the five boroughs. NYCEDC's mission is to stimulate growth through expansion and redevelopment programs that encourage investment, generate prosperity and strengthen the City's competitive position. NYCEDC serves as an advocate to the business community by building relationships with companies that allow them to take advantage of New York City's many opportunities. Find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to learn more about NYCEDC projects and initiatives.