Back in October 2018, YIMBY revealed a batch of fresh renderings and site plans for a proposed affordable housing development in the Westchester Square community of The Bronx. Today, the project is expected to move forward as intended following strong support from neighborhood residents, small business owners, and local union members.
Approvals for the nine-story development, which required a major zoning amendment, were in part reliant on a positive local response at a scheduled City Planning Commission hearing on January 30th. According to John Bonizio, chairman of the Westchester Square Business Improvement District, over 100 local small business owners and residents in the neighborhood have signed a petition in support of the project.
“The site today is an abandoned auto repair yard and the Blondell Commons development will bring much needed affordable housing, new retail space, street activity, and vitality to what is now an unattractive street that is dark and empty at night,” said neighborhood resident Alex Garoni, who spoke in support of rezoning at the hearing.
Designed by Aufgang Architects, the residential area would measure 206,241 square feet divided among 227 affordable units, plus one apartment for the building’s superintendent. Parking will also be available for 225 vehicles.
Following 24 months of construction, the developer anticipates full completion in 2021.
Site plan for 1340 Blondell Avenue (Aufgang Architects)
Elevation diagram illustrates proposed building components at 1340 Blondell Avenue (Aufgang Architects)
Credit: Westchester Square Business Improvement District
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Please pardon me for using your space: If your report show on crepe paper I will take it not easy on my reading. But now development not up the creek on surface. (Thank you)
This voted down by 2 community boards and the community is strongly OPPOSED to this. Only the BID, which does not represent the community or the businesses on that street is for it as a source of income.
There is no reasonable reason to oppose this project.
YIMBY is sadly informed…. 2 Community Boards OPPOSED this project… The Community does NOT WANT THIS. That picture was supplied by the BID and tgose people in the picture DO NOT LIVE IN THE COMMUNITY… those were Union people who were wrongly told to show up… Cause they think this building will be built by Unions… The developers have said they are NOT using Unions to build….the BID does NOT SPEAK FOR THE COMMUNITY.
Can you provide a reason why you oppose this development?
I hope and pray that this development goes through. I strongly believe that this developer got so much pushback because of the color of his skin.I wonder if he was white would the community have shut it down? Sounds like racists community boards.Im just saying.