A Void Proposal: The Proposed Mechanical Voids Zoning Amendment Rests Upon a Hollow Foundation

8:00 am on February 7, 2019 By Vitali Ogorodnikov

On January 28, the Department of City Planning released the Environmental Assessment Statement (EAS) for the proposed Residential Tower Mechanical Voids Amendment, which seeks to limit non-residential floor heights in future apartment towers within high-density districts. The 48-page document, which outlines the proposal and its impact, reveals a troubling foundation of groundless speculation, elusive language, and self-contradictory statements. The proposed amendment ultimately promises to stifle flexible planning, and fails to present a convincing argument in its support.

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Morris Adjmi’s Cantilevering 520 West 20th Street Making Headway in West Chelsea

7:30 am on February 7, 2019 By Michael Young

Designed by Morris Adjmi Architects,”The Warehouse,” is located at 520 West 20th Street, next to the High Line between West 19th and 20th Streets. The project topped-out late last year, and is being developed by Elijah Equities. Standing above the West Chelsea neighborhood, the existing 50-foot tall brick structure is being preserved and refurbished. With the base now covered behind black and white-colored construction netting and scaffolding, work on the new three-story suspended and cantilevering metal structure up above continues atop the old roofline.

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11-35 31st Drive in Astoria, Queens

Permits Filed for 11-35 31st Drive in Astoria, Queens

6:30 am on February 7, 2019 By Vanessa Londono

Permits have been filed for an eight-story building at 11-35 31st Drive in Astoria, Queens. Located between Vernon Boulevard and 12th Street, the lot is ten blocks west of the 30th Avenue subway station, serviced by the N and W trains. Li Qing of Blue Mountain Capital, LLC is listed as the owner behind the applications.

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