Developers recently won support and necessary approvals from New York City mayor Eric Adams, the City Council Land Use Committee, and local community boards to construct four mixed-income residential buildings in the Throggs Neck section of The Bronx. Located along Bruckner Expressway between Crosby Avenue and Balcom Avenue, the project will create 349 units, including 168 permanently affordable homes, a new supermarket, and 54,000 square feet of unspecified commercial space.
“This project will bring nearly 350 much needed homes, including affordable housing for seniors and veterans, to a neighborhood that has only added 58 affordable units in the last decade,” said mayor Adams. “Just as importantly, it is a sign that our city is once again embracing our identity as a ‘City of Yes.’”
Before any shovels could break ground, Throggs Neck Associates LLC, the developing entity responsible for the project, was required to obtain zoning map amendments for the buildings, which exceeded height, density, and use-type restrictions. The process included a lengthy environmental review to assess what impact the project might have on the surrounding neighborhood.
The area surrounding the development site is primarily occupied by low-rise single and multi-family homes, commercial buildings, and community facilities. Buildings range from one- and two-story houses to six- and seven-story multi-family buildings, to eight-story community facility buildings.
Original proposals included the construction of four mixed-use buildings ranging between three and eight stories with approximately 349,000 total square feet. This included 349 apartments, 99 of which would be permanently affordable, in addition to 53,000 square feet of commercial and community facility space. Environmental Assessment Statements completed earlier this year studied the area’s existing infrastructure and pedestrian flow, as well as shadows the future building would cast, and determined that the project would not have any significant adverse effects on the surrounding area if allowed to proceed.
Aerial view of the eastern boundary of the mixed-income development site along the Bruckner Expressway – Courtesy of the New York City Planning Commission & Bronx Times
Site map of the approved mixed-income development site along the Bruckner Expressway – Courtesy of the New York City Planning Commission
Despite support from city officials, fierce opposition from a smattering of local community groups and residents forced the developer to scale back its plans, reduce the height of one of the buildings to five stories, and provide additional affordable housing units.
Last week, the City Council Land Use Committee approved the new proposals in a 10-0 vote.
“New York’s housing crisis is a citywide problem that requires a citywide solution, and we need to powerfully reject the NIMBYism that should have no place anywhere in New York City,” said Maria Torres Springer, deputy mayor for economic and workforce development. “We thank the City Council for their support of this project and leadership at a time when we need all New Yorkers to do their part in ensuring we see our way out of this housing crisis and move forward as a just and equitable city.”
Subscribe to YIMBY’s daily e-mail
Follow YIMBYgram for real-time photo updates
Like YIMBY on Facebook
Follow YIMBY’s Twitter for the latest in YIMBYnews
Throggs Neck warrents a lot more development. It also warrents a subway line.
That would be warrants. Hey YIMBY hows that edit feature coming along??
This site isn’t even Throgs Neck. Schuylerville, lower Pelham Bay perhaps. It’s not that far from the 6 train. A short bus ride.
Semantics. The point being made is South East Bronx needs a subway line. They knew that in 1930. It would likely be oriented along Lafayette.
The buildings that will be demolished are no great loss. I do regret the loss of a former exterminator’s office on the west side of Tremont. For decades, they displayed a large full-color poster in their window of the “Bug of the Month.” It was sort of comforting to see the annual cycle of ants, roaches, wasps, etc.
The opposition, a minority of the district’s over 100,000 residents, fears change. A fictional obsession with the detached owner-occupied single-family home. This is an urban neighborhood with a diverse housing stock, most of which multi-unit. Contrary to popular belief, most in the immediate area rent. There are numerous public transportation options including an express bus, several local bus lines, and a new ferry terminal. The 6 train is a short bus ride away, a few minutes. The area is increasingly growing Latino and to a lesser extent non-Hispanic black.
This is minor infill in an area that has seen little development. Every neighborhood in the city needs to contribute. Smaller developments like this one are appropriate in these places.
Need application for apt . How to get one