Staten Island North Shore Action Plan in Action: NYCEDC Announces RFP for Developer of New Stapleton Waterfront Site Bringing Additional Housing and Waterfront Access

Selected Developer to Create Residential Projects of 500+ Housing Units and Improved Expansive Greenspace on the North Shore of Staten Island

Advancing Promises Made in Staten Island North Shore Action Plan, Green Economy Action Plan, and ‘24 in 24’ Initiative to Build Affordable Housing

NEW YORK, NY—Today, New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) released a Request for Proposals (RFP) to redevelop two parcels of vacant land located at the corner of Front and Canal Streets within the New Stapleton Waterfront on the North Shore of Staten Island. This RFP is a key part of the Adams Administration’s Staten Island North Shore Action Plan, that outlines a four-year roadmap for a clear and unified vision for the future of Staten Island’s North Shore. This development, which will bring 500+ units housing, is also part of Mayor Eric Adams’ “24 in 24 Plan,” which aims to advance the creation or preservation of over 12,000 homes through partnerships across NYCEDC, New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), and the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), and advances a key commitment in New York City’s Green Economy Action Plan to decarbonize buildings and construction by promoting widespread use of low-embodied carbon building materials. 

This RFP represents the next phase in development at the New Stapleton Waterfront, further advancing the transformation of a former United States Naval base into a 32-acre mixed-use, mixed-income waterfront neighborhood. In total, the New Stapleton Waterfront will bring over 2,100 mixed-income residential units, ground floor retail, a 600-seat public school, and other community facilities – all set within 12 acres of interconnected public open space. The RFP will seek developers for the long-term ground lease and development of two parcels of vacant land, known as B4 and B5, which will create over 500+ new market rate and affordable housing units. In December, NYCEDC broke ground on Stapleton’s next six acres of open space and esplanades, including the demolition of the old United States Naval homeport buildings.

The project is intended to serve as a showcase of mass timber development in New York City, further advancing the adoption of mass timber locally. Last week, NYCEDC selected seven design and development teams to participate in the New York City Mass Timber Studio; a first-of-its-kind program in New York City. The Mass Timber Studio is part of a broader suite of climate innovation programs advancing New York City’s green economy by enabling innovative climate solutions and operating programs to overcome implementation challenges in tangible ways.

The New Stapleton Waterfront is part of the Adams Administration’s Staten Island North Shore Action Plan announced in September 2023, which commits over $400M in public funding towards completing the two-mile continuous public waterfront esplanade spanning from Stapleton to St. George delivering over 20 acres of public open space, will create over 7,500 family-sustaining jobs, and generate an estimated economic impact of $3.8 billion over the next 30 years.

“The New Stapleton Waterfront is a transformative opportunity to create a new vibrant, sustainably-focused community on what is currently vacant waterfront land,” said Deputy Mayor of Housing, Economic Development and Workforce Maria Torres-Springer. “This is just one part our administration’s North Shore Action Plan, which will deliver thousands of new homes, create good-paying jobs, and build a world-class waterfront, as well as our ‘24 in 24 Plan’ which will accelerate housing production and preservation on public sites this year. I want to thank Mayor Adams and EDC President Andrew Kimball for their steadfast leadership and commitment to the North Shore.”

“The Stapleton RFP is the next step forward in delivering on the Adams Administration’s North Shore Action Plan,” said NYCEDC President & CEO Andrew Kimball. “Since the announcement of the Plan in September 2023, major steps toward implementation have included the RFP for the North Shore Entertainment and Amusement Site and the groundbreaking of the Mary Cali Dalton Recreation Center. NYCEDC is looking forward to selecting a proposal that will deliver 500 units of housing and public amenities for Staten Islanders.”

“I am excited to see the vision of the Staten Island North Shore Action Plan advance with today’s release of an RFP to develop vacant land into over 500 much needed homes in Staten Island,” said Executive Director for Housing Leila Bozorg. “These homes on the North Shore represent another step forward in our moonshot goal to build 500,000 new homes over the next decade for New York City families.”

“I am excited to see another piece of the North Shore Action Plan come to fruition with the release of this RFP to develop two parcels in the Stapleton community,” said New York City Councilmember Kamillah Hanks. “This is more than just a call for development; it’s progress for the North Shore, promising housing for working families and a revitalized waterfront for our community. This is a testament to our commitment to build a vibrant, accessible North Shore for all.”

“The New Stapleton Waterfront is a prime example of how great planning can have a transformative neighborhood impact,” said Department of City Planning Director Dan Garodnick. This mixed-use, mixed-income project is turning an underused stretch of the North Shore waterfront into a lively community where New Yorkers can live, play, and relax. Now, with this RFP for another 500 homes, the future of this corner of Staten Island is looking brighter than ever.”

“I’m happy to see progress being made as the North Shore Action Plan will transform our waterfront into the dynamic and accessible public space that Staten Island deserves and bring much needed economic activity, housing, and revenue to our community,” said Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11).

“We maintain that the North Shore Waterfront, including Stapleton is an untapped jewel with some of the best views around. We are hopeful that there will be new, smart development that will enhance the Stapleton community and allow more Staten Islanders the opportunity to live along the water,” said Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella. “We wish to thank Mayor Adams for his willingness and commitment to share our vision, Andrew Kimball for the fine and cooperative team at NYCEDC, and Council Member Kamillah Hanks for being a terrific partner and someone who cares deeply about the Stapleton Waterfront, along with members of the community.”

“The unveiling of the RFP for the New Stapleton Waterfront is undoubtedly a transformative chapter for the North Shore of Staten Island,” said Assemblyman Charles D. Fall. “By converting a once dormant naval base into a vibrant, mixed-use neighborhood, we are directly addressing the critical need for affordable housing while enhancing our public spaces and local infrastructure. I am excited to witness the positive impact this development will have on our community, and I am dedicated to ensuring it serves the needs of all Staten Islanders.”

“Community board 1 is ecstatic that our most underutilized resource, our waterfront, is getting the attention is so rightly deserves, along with much needed jobs, thank you President Andrew Kimball and Mayor Eric Adams.” said Nicholas Siclari, Chairperson, Staten Island Community Board 1.

With residential construction across New York City being slowed due to a lack of action by the New York State Legislature, NYCEDC is offering a suite of benefits in this RFP to support the delivery of much needed mixed-income housing, with 25 percent of the units reserved for families earning between 40 percent and 80 percent of the area median income.

This RFP offers respondents an attractive ground-up development opportunity on a sizeable New York City waterfront property with pristine views of the Lower Manhattan skyline and New York harbor. The site is part of Staten Island’s North Shore, which serves as the borough’s civic and transportation hub, the center of its arts and culture scene with venues like St. George Theater and National Lighthouse Museum, and a destination for shopping and entertainment including Empire Outlets and the Staten Island Ferry Hawks baseball stadium.

This area was rezoned in 2006 to serve as an extension of the historic Stapleton town center. Its zoning regulations seek to facilitate mixed-use buildings, walkability, and respect for the character of the surrounding neighborhood.

Since the launch of the North Shore Action Plan several initiatives have already been advanced by NYCEDC and other agency partners including:

• The Tompkinsville Esplanade received its ULURP (Uniform Land Use Review Process) approval from the City Council;
• In November, the Housing Preservation Department (HPD) released its RFP to redevelop the Jersey Street sanitation garage;
• Shortly after, NYCEDC released an RFP for the former New York Wheel site, now known as the North Shore Entertainment and Amusement site; and
• And just last month, Mayor Adams and NYC Parks broke ground on the Mary Cali Dalton Recreation Center in Tompkinsville, the first groundbreaking for a recreation center on Staten Island in over 14 years.

Click here to view the RFP. Responses are due on Thursday, June 20, 2024 at 11:59pm.

About NYCEDC
New York City Economic Development Corporation is a mission-driven, nonprofit organization that works for a vibrant, inclusive, and globally competitive economy for all New Yorkers. We take a comprehensive approach, through four main strategies: strengthen confidence in NYC as a great place to do business; grow innovative sectors with a focus on equity, build neighborhoods as places to live, learn, work, and play; and deliver sustainable infrastructure for communities and the city's future economy. To learn more about what we do, visit us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.