Sites and Supportive Housing
Hard to Develop Sites
Sampling of Recent Projects/Work
considered hard-to-develop
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Cedars: Cedars is located at 745 Fox Street in the Longwood historic
section of the Bronx. The project is a combination renovation and new
construction of 95 units of low-income rental housing. Thirty percent of
the units are reserved for grand-families, grandparents raising
grandchildren, from the shelter system. The balance of the units are for
senior citizens. Cedars is a fully green building, with a gold LEED rating.
Cedars is a pilot NYSERDA project, including geo-thermal hearing and
cooling, green roof technology, efficient systems, regenerative materials,
and other green elements. Client – MiCasa HDFC/The Lantern Group
and Friends in the City. The site proved difficult for several reasons:
CEDARS – The Lantern Group
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Historic dilapidated site with uncooperative zoning
restrictions requiring a variance
Unlevel site with waves of underground rock
Combination of new construction and historic rehap
Many funding sources
Many oversight sources (historic, BSA, funders,
NYSERDA, banks)
Cedars - Before
Cedars - Before
Cedars - After
Cedars - After
Silverleaf Hall – Lantern Group
Silverleaf Hall is located at 480 East 176th Street
between Washington and Bathgate Avenues in the
East Tremont neighborhood of the Bronx. The
project is new construction of 118 units of
permanent affordable housing. Thirty percent of
the units are a supportive housing set-aside for
families exiting the NYC Shelter System.
Silverleaf Hall – Site Difficulties
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Low density zoning required a zoning variance
Rock and site cleanup were required. The extent of
rock was found during the early stages of
construction
Water/drainage in the area was problematic
requiring several underground wells – an added cost
to the overall project.
Silverleaf Hall – Rock Excavation
Silverleaf Hall - After
Silverleaf Hall - After
Silverleaf Hall - After
Jasper Hall – Lantern Group
Jasper is located on the west side of Melrose Avenue, between
East 160th and 161st Streets in the Morrisania section of the
Bronx now known as Melrose Commons, a designated
Urban Renewal Area of New York City. The project is new
construction of 54 units of permanent supportive housing
for a mix of families living in transitional housing and single
young adults who are aging out of foster care. Referrals will
come from the NYC Department of Homeless Services and
the NYC Administration for Children’s Services. Client –
Audubon HDFC/The Lantern Group
Jasper Hall – Site Difficulties
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Extensive environmental clean-up was required due to the
existence of petroleum on the site and the leaking of the
adjacent gas station.
Required redesign during construction – an additional design
cost
Required a vapor barrier
NYC Unified Land Use Review Process (ULURP) approving
sponsor acquisition of city owned land and proposed
architectural design finalized December 2004.
Jasper Hall - After
Huntersmoon Hall – The Lantern Group
Huntersmoon Hall is located at 2612 Broadway, between 98th
and 99th Streets, in the Manhattan Valley section of
Manhattan. All units are reserved for single adults living with
HIV/AIDS, serious and persistent mental illness, or other
special needs, as well low-income community members.
After substantial renovations are made to the existing SRO
building, the renewed 135 units will be filled by tenant
referrals from NYC HASA, NYC DHMH, and NYC
Department of Homeless Services.
Huntersmoon Hall – Site Difficulties
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Occupied renovation necessitated moving
tenants around constantly during the process.
Acquired from several owners/operators –
conflicting goals among the parties.
Different types of construction were found
throughout the building, requiring field
decisions and flexibility.
Huntersmoon - After
Other examples of hard to develop sites
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The YWCA of Brooklyn – ALC took over the consulting during
construction. – It is critical to have a good team in place from the
beginning.
Lantern Group: Vicinitas Hall – underwater stream found during
construction – 20 borings were completed prior to construction, yet a
water issue did not turn up.
YWCA of Schenectady – project did not go forward due to site
conditions/zoning/historic nature of site.
Postgraduate Center for Mental Health – Bronx Park East – irregular site