The Seward Park Mixed-Use Development Project, which received full land use approvals in October 2012, will transform more than six acres of underutilized land into a vibrant, mixed-use space in one of New York's most dynamic, diverse neighborhoods.
As a result of a successful collaboration between the local community and the City, through NYCEDC and the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), sites that have largely sat vacant for more than four decades will finally be reintegrated into the vital, urban fabric of the Lower East Side. Located along Delancey and Essex Streets, the nine sites, now with full land use approvals, will be transformed into 1.65 million square feet of permanently affordable and market-rate housing, commercial space, a new Essex Street Market, and new open space, with the potential for a school and other community space.
Program Overview
The Seward Park Mixed-Use Development Project will allow for 1,000 units of housing, of which 50% will be permanently affordable to a range of incomes, and 50% will be market rate. 20% of the affordable units will be available for low income households, 10% for moderate income households, 10% for middle income households and 10% for senior housing. The development program allows for a ratio of 60% residential space to 40% commercial space. Community facility space is also encouraged.
The project will provide a dynamic streetscape, with a newly built Essex Street Market anchoring the development, and the opportunity for a diverse range of retail and other commercial uses. The project will include a locally oriented public open space and the potential for underground parking.
Community Involvement
The approved ULURP program was built on the framework of all the hard work done by the local stakeholders. Since 2008, Community Board 3’s (CB3’s) Land Use, Zoning, Public and Private Housing Committee has worked diligently to gain community consensus on a development program for Seward Park. NYCEDC, HPD, and the New York City Department of City Planning (DCP) participated in the process, providing technical support and resources to facilitate the community’s discussion and analysis. Over the course of more than two years, CB3 worked to develop a set of project guidelines that CB3 unanimously adopted in January 2011. After a subsequent process exploring urban design for the project, CB3 passed its urban design principles in June 2011, which were also used to shape the ULURP application. The guidelines call for a mixed-use and mixed-income development that is reflective of, and compatible with, adjacent communities. Documents related to the CB3 public process can be found at the following link:
- View the documents related to the CB3 public process
Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP)
The Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) is the formal City public review process for land use changes. The Seward Park Mixed-Use Development Project was approved by a unanimous City Council vote on October 11, 2012. The complete original Seward Park ULURP Application (prior to changes during the process) can be found at the following link:
- View the complete Seward Park ULURP Application
Environmental
In September 2011, the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Economic Development as lead agency began the environmental review process for the Seward Park Mixed Use Development Project. The Final Environmental Impact Statement was filed on August 10, 2012. For more information regarding the project’s environmental review see the following link:
- View more information regarding the project’s environmental review
RFP Addendum and Email Account Q&A
All RFP proposals were due May 6, 2013. All currently available addenda and Q&A documents developed from the questions received through Seward Park RFP email account can be found below:
Optional Pre-Submission Info Session
All materials currently available from the Pre-Submission Info Session can be found below:
Seward Park Info Session Attendees
