August 8, 2019

Agency issues Request for Proposals to create 350 units of affordable housing, cultural, and community space

Press Office: hpdmedia@hpd.nyc.gov

NEW YORK, NY – New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) Commissioner Louise Carroll announces the release of a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking plans to redevelop two sites in East Harlem that will include affordable housing alongside retail and community services.

“Through Housing New York 2.0, we are pushing to create new affordable housing opportunities across our neighborhoods in developments that also add to the fabric of communities.  Now we are requesting proposals that will completely transform two City-owned sites through the creation of new affordable housing paired with community and cultural space,” said HPD Commissioner Louise Carroll. “I thank the local elected officials and our partners in the greater East Harlem community for their input and coordination in developing this RFP, and look forward to reviewing the thoughtful submissions to reimagine the future of these sites.”

"The RFPs being issued are another step forward in implementing the East Harlem Neighborhood Plan and increasing the supply of desperately-needed affordable housing," said Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer.

“East Harlem, like many other neighborhoods in our city, is experiencing an affordable housing crisis. The release of this RFP brings our community one step closer to creating truly affordable housing that is reflective of our socioeconomic, civic, and commercial needs,” said Council Member Diana Ayala. “Today’s release is a direct result of the East Harlem Neighborhood Planning Process, which offered our neighborhood a historic opportunity to rethink local investments. I thank HPD and Community Board 11 for their efforts and collaboration on this exciting endeavor.”

The RFP seeks proposals to redevelop the current East Harlem Multi-Service Center site, located at 413 East 120^th Street in Manhattan. Once a school, the building now serves as a hub for 12 non-profit community-based organizations. Development proposals are expected to include a 100 percent affordable housing and new community/office space. A minimum of 30 percent of the housing must serve formerly homeless households.

Respondents to the RFP are required to submit a relocation plan for the community-based organizations, and their proposals will be evaluated in part by their ability to propose a plan that meets the organizations’ needs.

The RFP also seeks proposals to redevelop the New York Police Department (NYPD) 25^th precinct parking lot located on the east side of Park Avenue between East 118^th and East 119^th Streets. The 75-space lot is currently used by the NYPD for emergency response, school safety, and other vehicles. Development proposals for this site are expected to include 100 percent affordable housing and a new parking garage for NYPD vehicles. Preference will be given to proposals that enhance the emerging commercial corridor in this section of Park Avenue.

This RFP is a product of the East Harlem Housing Plan, and was developed using community input gathered through the East Harlem Neighborhood Planning Process, as well as HPD-hosted community visioning workshops and exercises. These workshops were held in coordination with the Offices of Council Members Diana Ayala and Bill Perkins, the Office of Borough President Gale Brewer, and Manhattan Community Board 11.

The results of these workshops are summarized in the East Harlem RFP Community Visioning Report that is attached to the RFP, which developers are encouraged to consult in developing their proposals.

Respondents may submit proposals for one or both sites. Deadline for submission to the RFP is November 26, 2019. For more information and to obtain a copy of the RFP, please view the East Harlem Request for Proposals RFP webpage.

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The New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) is the nation’s largest municipal housing preservation and development agency. Its mission is to promote quality housing and diverse, thriving neighborhoods for New Yorkers through loan and development programs for new affordable housing, preservation of the affordability of the existing housing stock, enforcement of housing quality standards, and educational programs for tenants and building owners. HPD is tasked with fulfilling Mayor de Blasio’s Housing New York Plan which was recently expanded and accelerated through Housing New York 2.0to complete the initial goal of 200,000 homes two years ahead of schedule—by 2022, and achieve an additional 100,000 homes over the following four years, for a total of 300,000 homes by 2026.  For full details visit www.nyc.gov/hpd and for regular updates on HPD news and services, connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @NYCHousing.