Landscape Renovations Underway At NYU’s Bleecker Street, LaGuardia Place Plazas, Greenwich Village

New York University’s 1.6-million-square-foot expansion looms on the horizon, in anticipation of its distant 2035 completion. However, well ahead of any significant redevelopment, a smaller overhaul of street-adjacent community space is already underway. NYU is collaborating with the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation to upgrade two linear, street-facing plazas at LaGuardia Place and Bleecker Street.

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Orchard Beach pavilion

Bronx Borough President Proposes Upgrading Pelham Bay Park’s Orchard Beach Pavilion

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. is proposing to redevelop the Orchard Beach pavilion, an individual landmark, that currently serves as the focal point for Pelham Bay Park, in the East Bronx. The structure, which was completed in 1936, would be transformed to allow for more event space, food concessions and retail space, according to The Real Deal. Nearby the pavilion, the park includes picnic areas, the Pelican Bay Playground, and a beachfront. The pavilion portion of the project is being estimated to cost $40 million, although plans have been in the works for some time to upgrade the rest of the beach, which could cost up to $200 million in total. Diaz has designated $10 million in capital toward the project. The Landmarks Preservation Commission would have to approve any alterations to the Orchard Beach pavilion.

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135-35 Northern Boulevard

RKO Keith’s Theater Mixed-Use Development Site Being Placed Back On The Market, Flushing

In 2013, Jerry Karlik’s JK Equities acquired the RKO Keith’s Theatre, an individual landmark at 135-27 – 135-35 Northern Boulevard in Downtown Flushing, for $30 million. The developer received approval to redevelop the severely dilapidated structure in 2015, but now Karlik is putting the development site back on the market, Crain’s reports. A new developer could build a 16-story, 269-unit mixed-use building with 24,493 and 15,727 square feet of commercial and community facility space, respectively. A buyer could also take advantage of a previously granted tax break. Studio V Architecture was behind JK Equities’ proposal, although a new owner could always choose to design a different building and go back to the Landmarks Preservation Commission for approval. Cushman & Wakefield is marketing the site.

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