The southwestern blocks of the Upper West Side have been in a state of constant flux over the past few years, with several major developments either wrapping up or breaking ground across the last wide-open spaces remaining in the neighborhood. Perhaps the largest project within this area is GID Development’s Waterline Square, formerly known as Riverside Center, where construction on three new buildings is now pushing upwards and into the skyline.
Staten Island‘s North Shore has been booming with new development over the past few years, with projects including a new outlet mall, a ferris wheel, and various other residential and hotel infill. The rest of the island has also been brimming with similar proposals, with the Staten Island Mall also set for a major expansion. Now, Charleston, on the southwest corner of the island, is about to receive a substantial retail upgrade of its own, with plans submitted for a massive new shopping center totaling almost 600,000 square feet, dubbed the Riverside Galleria, next to Arthur Kill Road and the Outer Bridge Crossing.
A lovely old house on the Upper West Side is headed for a conversion from eight-unit apartment building to single-family residence. However, that can’t happen until the plan get the stamp of approval from the Landmarks Preservation Commission, and that did not happen at Tuesday’s public hearing on the matter.
Community Board 3 has voted against Riverside Developer USA’s plans for two residential buildings, proposed to contain a total of 296 apartments, at 376 Flushing Avenue and 43 Franklin Avenue, in the northwestern corner of Bedford-Stuyvesant. The building on Flushing would rise eight stories and measure 176,671 square feet, while the one on Franklin would rise six stories and measure 126,839 square feet. Thirty percent, or 88 apartments, are set to rent at below-market rates through the housing lottery to families making 80 percent of the area median income, or AMI.
In September, the Landmarks Preservation Commission put the Morningside Heights Historic District on its calendar. The next step, a public hearing, was held on Tuesday, and dozens showed up. While there was some opposition, most who spoke rose to support designation of the proposed district.