PORT MORRIS EAST RIVERBrownfield Opportunity Area (BOA)

Community Listening Session

Thursday, February 18, 2016, 6:30pm

NYC Montessori Charter School423 East 138th Street

Bronx, New York 10454

Funded by:Administered & Executed by:

SoBRO BOA TeamMichael C. Brady, Director of Special Projects & Governmental Relations. Brady oversees the agencys environmental and land use program implementation including three (3) NYS Brownfield Opportunity Areas (BOA) Port Morris, Harlem River; Port Morris, East River; and Eastchester, the EPA Area-Wide Study for the Sheridan Expressway, partnerships with the NYS Department of Environmental Protection, and the Real Estate Advisory Services Program with the City of New York.

Brady leans on his experience in governmental relations to provide the leadership and expertise to forge and sustain relationships with City, State, and Federal policy makers and influencers while also implementing the agency-wide legislative agenda and budgetary goals.

Brady serves as a member of the Board of the New York City Brownfield Partnership, a member of the NYCEDCs Industrial Relations Council, and Chairman of the Legacy Fund for Catholic Education.

Brady holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Manhattan College, and a Master of Public Administration from New York University, where he served as a Senior Clark Fellow. Additionally, he holds certifications from Harvard University and Columbia University.

Neil W. Pariser, is aSenior Special Projects Consultant with SoBRO. Prior to his retirement from SoBRO, Mr. Pariser served as Senior Vice President of the South Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation (SoBRO). During his 30 years of service at SoBRO, Mr. Pariser directed the planning, acquisition, financing and construction of over 30,000 square feet of retail space and 120,000 square feet of industrial space; oversaw the financing and development of 500 units of affordable housing in the South Bronx; and supervised the planning, financing and implementation of ten commercial revitalization projects. Mr. Pariser is the founder of the Port Morris Local Development Corporation, a member of board of CREDIT, Inc., SoBROs in-house CDFI, and Vice Chair of the New York City Brownfield Partnership.

Mr. Pariser holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from New York University and a Master of Urban Planning and Public Administration, also from New York University.

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Justin Dembski, is aLand Use and Environmental Program Assistant with SoBRO.Justin Dembski graduated Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC) in May of 2014 as a recipient of the Cathy Hunter-Roberts Memorial Scholarship with academic honors. While attending HVCC, he interned and later became the legislative assistant for Assemblyman David Weprin of the 24th Assembly District in Queens. His legislative research paper on the DREAM Act was chosen as a finalist to be published by the New York State Assembly.

Upon graduating HVCC, Justin was accepted to Columbia University on a General Studies scholarship. However, due to financial constraints, Justin transferred to Baruch College where he is currently majoring in Public Affairs. Justin is currently a HaggadornFellow a Baruch.

Andra Mahee,Projects Associate with SoBRO. Ms. Mahee provides day-to-dayassistance with SoBROs Land Useand Planning programs; includingbut not limited to brownfieldcompliance, techniques forcommunity engagement andimplementation, engagementevents, and the lead editor for allLand Use and Planning reports.Additionally, Ms. Mahee assists inproviding funding and policyinformation to pertinent city, state,and federal agencies to advanceSoBROs community and economicdevelopment strategies.

Ms. Mahee holds a Bachelor ofLiberal Arts degree fromMiddlebury College, and acertifications in Spanish languagestudies, and advanced softwareapplications from San DiegoCommunity College.

Ms. Mahee serves as a member ofthe Board of Directors of theSheldrake Yacht Club.

About SoBROOur Shared Mission

The mission of the South Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation (SoBRO) is to enhance the quality of life in the South Bronx by strengthening businesses and creating innovative economic, housing, educational and

career development programs for youth and adults.

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SoBRO by the numbers SoBRO adds over $1 billion dollars

annually to the economic vitality of the Bronx

SoBRO impacts the lives of more than 200,000 Bronxites annually

SoBRO manages all five (5) Industrial Business Zones (IBZ) in the Bronx Port Morris, Hunts Point, Zerega, Bathgate, East Tremont

SoBRO administers five (5) City and State Brownfield sites.

SoBRO currently has 15 development projects in the pipeline that will bring 700 units of affordable housing

SoBRO's Real Estate Divisionboasts 19 SoBRO owned / managed buildings,manages 5 properties owned by the City of New York, and a public plaza.

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SoBRO Mission SnapshotsSoBRO's Youth Services Divisionhas impacted over 60,000 Bronx youth since its inception in 1996.

SoBRO Youth Services Division provides young people, ages 3-24, with a safe space, to learn, develop, and grow. SoBROs after-school programs are offered at ten (10) elementary,middle, and high schools in the Bronx.

SoBRO Center-based programs for out-of-school youth combine academic skills and career training with leadership development activities while exposing participants to new ideas, culture, and entrepreneurial skills.

The Venture Center currently houses 35 start up businesses with plans for expansion.

SoBRO created NYCs first business incubator 12 years ago:

The Venture Center

SoBRO leads the Bronx in CDFI lending, MBE certifications, and positioning for financing and procuring federal contracts for Bronx-based businesses.

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What is a Brownfield?There are many definitions:

EPA: real property, the expansion, redevelopment or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant or contaminant

NYSDEC: a brownfield is any real property where redevelopment or reuse may be complicated by the potential presence of a hazardous waste, petroleum, pollutant or contaminant

NYC MOER: any real property within NYC, the redevelopment or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of light to moderate levels of contamination, or any real property that meets the definition of a delegated brownfield site, including, but not limited to, real property containing historic fill material and real property rejected from state programs on grounds that the environmental contamination is not sufficient to warrant state involvement.

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NYS Brownfield Program

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In 2003, New York State created the BOA Program, which was designed to assist communities foster redevelopment, and return dormant and blighted land into productive and catalytic areas while restoring environmental quality."

A brownfield or brownfield site is defined in New York State Environmental Conservation Law Article 27, Title 14, as any real property, the redevelopment or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a contaminant.

Facilitate the creation of a community-wide vision around brownfield issues and brownfield redevelopment planning;

Establish sustainable development goals and objectives; Coordinate and collaborate with government agencies and community groups; Initiate public-private partnerships essential for successful redevelopment of

specific brownfield sites and related infrastructure; and Analyze site-specific brownfield and/or redevelopment issues and develop

revitalization strategies.

Brownfield StepsThe BOA Program consists of three major steps, which correspond to distinct types of grant funding:

1) Step 1 - Pre-Nomination StudyThe study includes a preliminary, area-wide analysis of the BOA study area, including: a

description and justification of the study area and associated boundaries, current land use and zoning; descriptions of existing brownfield sites and other underutilized properties; and a

description of the areas potential for revitalization.. 2) Step 2 - Nomination Study

The Nomination Study involves detailed existing conditions analysis of the BOA study area, systematic stakeholder engagement, and identification and assessment of specific BOA Strategic

Sites.. The existing conditions analysis involves a survey of the areas land use, zoning, transportation,

infrastructure, demographic trends, community vision, and identification of the areas assets and opportunities for improvement. The Eastchester BOA, subject of this RFP, is funded by a Step 2

Nomination grant.3) Step 3 - Implementation Strategy

The Implementation Strategy describes the techniques and actions necessary to implement the plan developed in the Step 2 phase, and documents compliance with New York State

Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) regulations. Implementation activities focus on the Strategic Sites and targeted projects selected as a result of the Step 2 study; projects may include

redevelopment projects, transportation projects, infrastructure projects, public improvement projects, or environmental improvement projects.

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Community Engagement

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Community Engagement

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CO-CREATEHow do we design something together?

Co-creation focuses on the strategic design and innovation necessary to unlock shared potential

through new models.

CO-OPERATEHow do we work together?

Cooperation focuses on teamwork and building vital relationships within and without an organization.

CO-PRODUCEHow do we produce effective results?

Co-production focuses on the technical capacity, skills and resources needed to bring a project into reality.

Community Engagement Steps

Steering Committee Port Morris-East River Community Working

Group Kitchen Table Talks Listening / Visioning Sessions

Interact, physical and digital special conversation Street Exchange, surveys, 1-1 interviews,tabling Workshops, large scale conversations

Interagency Roundtables One-to-One meetings with stakeholders

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Port Morris-East River

Brownfield Opportunity Area

(BOA)

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Contractual Scope of Work

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Components of the BOA Nomination process included, but was not necessarily be limited to:

Stakeholder Outreach Plan & Community Vision, Goals, and Objectives

Boundary Description and Justification Community and regional setting,

including demographics SEQRA Requirements and Actions Inventory and Analysis Existing Land Use and Zoning Brownfield, Abandoned and Vacant

Sites Land Ownership Inventory of Existing Businesses Potential industrial / commercial

growth sectors

Vacancy rate and demand for industrial / commercial spaceo Detailed catalog of vacant space

Strategic Sites Economic and Market Trend Analysis Parks and Open Space Riverfront: access pathways, prospective

recreational users, general community issues, recommended implementation projects

Natural resources, environmental features, and climate resiliency

Infrastructure and Opportunities for green infrastructure and shoreline protection

Transportation system Historic or Archeologically Significant

Areas Summary Analysis and Recommendations Executive Summary NYS Quality Review

Enhanced Areas of Focus

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The Steering Committee requested that the following areas have enhanced focus in contractor analysis

Stakeholder Outreach Plan & Community Vision, Goals, Objectives Existing Land Use and Zoning, including evaluation of current zoning within St.

Marys sub-area Strategic Sites Economic & Market Trends Analysis Waterfront: access pathways, prospective recreational users, community issues,

and recommended implementation projects Infrastructure and Opportunities for green infrastructure and shoreline protection Transpiration Systems, with emphasis on opportunities to increase maritime

activity and freight.

Strategic Sites Brownfield Opportunity Area (BOA)

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Potential Collaboration The Great Bronx Greenway Expansion

to Hunts Point The Point LDC New York Restoration Project Randalls Island Collaboration NYC Mayors Office Environmental

Remediation Grant Programs EPIC Community Planning

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Bronx Greenway Industry Connection

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Bronx Greenway - Video

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Randalls Island Connector

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Port Morris evolved from marshland into an industrial neighborhood making use of barge and rail access with close proximity to Manhattan

The areas access to New York Citys highway network is now its critical transportation advantage

Geography

1. NYPD Tow Pound2. Philip Jones Building3. Gantries at East

134th Street4. East 132nd Street

Pier

Selected on the basis of the following criteria: Public ownership Ability to make

immediate impact in their sub-area

Opportunity for access to waterfront

Strategic Sites

Former site of Lincoln Hospital, which was not remediated, but instead paved over

Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment completed by ALC Engineering shows need for subsurface investigation of site contamination by medical waste and fuel tanks

Located at entrance of Southern Boulevard makes the Tow Pound Lot a critical opportunity for triggering revitalization along that street

NYPD Tow Pound Lot

Image via Bing Maps

Planned expansion involving tenant Transcon, a thriving art storage & security business. Groundbreaking has yet to occur

SoBRO is the master lease holder

Phillip Jones Building

Jurisdiction and ownership of E 134thStreet Gantries site is divided between DCAS, NYCDOT, MTA and a private owner

Pier at E 132nd Street was destroyed in a ConEd explosion

Gantries at E 134th Street and E 132nd Street Pier

Most buildings built prior to Great Depression

Newer buildings are more likely to be large industrial facilities, reflecting changing industry practices

Buildings

Over 80% of buildings are industrial

Uses

Nearly 25% of the areas housing units are designated affordable (comparable to Bronx average, but half of rate of neighbor Mott Haven)

Area features low market rate rents Several supportive housing facilities

in area

Housing

Long walking distances to subway for businesses east of Bruckner Boulevard

High traffic volumes along Bruckner and Southern Boulevard; generally low volumes elsewhere

Low subway usage, with St. Marys in the top 10 lowest yearly passengers

Few access points across Bruckner Boulevard. Several of these are high-crash locations

Transportation

Demographics

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Port Morris BOA Bronx NYC

Educational Attainment

No High School Diploma High School GraduateSome College, No Degree Associate's Degree

0%5%

10%15%20%25%30%35%40%45%50%

Port MorrisBOA

Bronx NYC

Race

White

Black

Other

Multiracial

0% 5% 10% 15% 20%

NYC

Bronx

Port Morris BOA

Unemployment Rate

$0

$10,

000

$20,

000

$30,

000

$40,

000

$50,

000

$60,

000

NYC

Bronx

Port Morris BOA

Median Household Income

PresenterPresentation NotesHigher unemployment rate than the Bronx and NYC (17% vs. 15% & 11%)Lower Household Income than the Bronx and NYC ($32,467 vs. $34,744, & $51,270)70% of population identifies as Hispanic37% of population is without a high school diploma or GED (vs. 31% and 21% for the Bronx and NYC)Median age of 30 years old, slightly younger than Bronx

Over 4,100 jobs in area, compared to a population of 5,100

2,900 jobs in industry 237 industrial businesses Generally low job-density

employment uses

Jobs

Construction28%

Wholesale Trade20%

Transportation & Warehousing

18%

Manufacturing16%

Administrative, Support, Waste Management &

Remediation Services12%

Automotive Repair & Maintenance

6%

Flat topography and large coastal exposure means it is highly vulnerable to storm surge and flooding, especially east of railway viaduct

Simulations indicate inundations would have been several feet higher with an earlier landfall by Superstorm Sandy

Flooding

Image via Sustainable South Bronx

PresenterPresentation NotesOne of the few areas in the City that was able to recover quickly and receive waste

Zoning is largely unchanged from 1961 designation

Three dominant types: M3-1, heavy industrial uses along the

waterfront

M1-2/3, light industrial uses west of rail and Bruckner

R7-1, in Northwest corner, near St. Marys Park

Sliver of Mixed-use zoning between 133rd and 134th Streets, from Port Morris rezoning, 2004

Zoning

Barriers Undesirable Uses Unwelcoming Pedestrian Environment Flood Vulnerability

b. Challenges

Physical: Highways and wide streets

Railways and viaducts

Fencing and walls

Barriers to commerce with slow internet connections

Barriers

Waste processing Electric utility sites (NYPA and

ConEd) Oil storage Self storage buildings

Undesirable Uses

Blocked sidewalks Loading docks Long, unsafe street

crossings Few streetlights and

benches No green space & parks in

study area Few street trees & benches

Unwelcoming Pedestrian Environment

FEMA flood zones indicate flood elevations of 4 or more feet, which likely require more than temporary flood barriers

Floodproofing aged (Pre-1961) building structures is expensive and difficult

Low building value, makes this financially infeasible

Flood Vulnerability

Required Flood Protection for Philip Jones Building

Render provided by SoBRO, with flood levels added by WXY

Industry Development

Food Manufacturing

Tech

Urban Design Further Study of Zoning in North of Bruckner Intermodal Transportation District-wide Flood Protection and Waterfront Access

c. Opportunities and Recommendations

Current cluster of food manufacturing facilities

Expected growth, including new Fairway and FreshDirect facilities

Opportunities to build off proximity to Fairway, FreshDirect and Hunts Point Food Market for both supply and customer base

Food Manufacturing Industry

Fairway

FreshDirect

More recent construction Very large floorplates Single story Very high ceiling

Food Manufacturing-Suitable Buildings

Pre-War construction Large floorplates Multi-story High ceiling Appreciation for well-constructed,

older buildings Opportunity for less hyped

technology oriented firms and organizations, such as Per Scholas, to use low rent space

Office Conversion (including Tech) Buildings

Curved alley off Walnut Ave Recessed, unused rail spur running

from Bruckner to St. Marys Park Short, walkable blocks, especially

north of Bruckner Attractive, old building stock

Urban Design Features

Upgrading of building can spur upgrades and conversions of other large buildings nearby

Can be leveraged for upgraded Walnut Avenue corridor and connect to 295 Locust Avenue, newly acquired by Silvercup Studios

Strategic Site: Philip Jones Building

Image via Bing Maps

Opportunities for freight rail, including a replacement site for the transload facility expected to be removed at the Hunts Point Terminal Market due to other upgrades there

New barge facilities in the study area would require new bulkheads, and potentially dredging

The existing barge facility at Harlem River Yard is underused

Intermodal Transportation

Recommendation of PlaNYC: A Stronger More Resilient New York, and Hunts Point / Lifelines

In these cases, protection of Port Morris is secondary to protecting the Hunts Point Food Market and Wastewater Treatment Plant

Large investment can be leveraged to provide badly needed access to the waterfront

District-wide Flood Protection and Waterfront Access

Images via Penn/OLIN and South Bronx Unite

NYC-owned property are primary opportunities for public waterfront access

Waterfront could provide waterborne access to nearby North and South Brother Islands

Strategic Site: E 132nd and 134th Streets Pier and Gantry

Images via NYRP and South Bronx Unite

Using non-conformance as a guide Allowance for larger buildings

Consider areas north of Bruckner Boulevard, particularly northernmost area

Potentially expand MX district, using mechanisms to ensure industrial uses are maintained and new ones are enabled, as suggested for Bridging Gowanus and Brooklyn Tech Triangle

Consider new policy mechanisms discussed in the City Councils Engines of Opportunity report, including the Mixed Use District and the Creative Economy District

Further Study of Zoning North of Bruckner

Rezoning of this city-owned site could enable a large, mixed-use development

Provide a gateway to Southern Blvd as new residential corridor, taking advantage of underutilized subway stations

Strategic Site: NYPD Tow Pound Lot

Image via Google Maps

Strategic Site Development Opportunities

Economic/Market Analysis

Waterfront Access

Climate Resiliency Strategies

Intermodalism

Draft Recommendations

Reuse Alternatives and Redevelopment Scenarios

Urban Design and Access Framework

Climate Resiliency Framework

Final Recommendations

d. Next Steps

Contact:

Michael C. Bradymbrady@sobro.org

T: 718.732.7533

Thank you!

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PORT MORRIS EAST RIVERBrownfield Opportunity Area (BOA)SoBRO BOA TeamAbout SoBROSoBRO by the numbersSoBRO Mission SnapshotsWhat is a Brownfield?NYS Brownfield Program Brownfield StepsThe BOA Program consists of three major steps, which correspond to distinct types of grant funding: 1) Step 1 - Pre-Nomination StudyThe study includes a preliminary, area-wide analysis of the BOA study area, including: a description and justification of the study area and associated boundaries, current land use and zoning; descriptions of existing brownfield sites and other underutilized properties; and a description of the areas potential for revitalization.. 2)Step 2 - Nomination Study The Nomination Study involves detailed existing conditions analysis of the BOA study area, systematic stakeholder engagement, and identification and assessment of specific BOA Strategic Sites.. The existing conditions analysis involves a survey of the areas land use, zoning, transportation, infrastructure, demographic trends, community vision, and identification of the areas assets and opportunities for improvement. The Eastchester BOA, subject of this RFP, is funded by a Step 2 Nomination grant.3)Step 3 - Implementation StrategyThe Implementation Strategy describes the techniques and actions necessary to implement the plan developed in the Step 2 phase, and documents compliance with New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) regulations. Implementation activities focus on the Strategic Sites and targeted projects selected as a result of the Step 2 study; projects may include redevelopment projects, transportation projects, infrastructure projects, public improvement projects, or environmental improvement projects. Community EngagementCommunity EngagementCommunity Engagement StepsPort Morris-East River Brownfield Opportunity Area (BOA)Contractual Scope of WorkEnhanced Areas of FocusStrategic Sites Brownfield Opportunity Area (BOA)Slide Number 16Potential CollaborationBronx Greenway Industry ConnectionBronx Greenway - VideoRandalls Island ConnectorGeographyStrategic SitesNYPD Tow Pound LotPhillip Jones BuildingGantries at E 134th Street and E 132nd Street PierBuildingsUsesHousingTransportationDemographicsJobsFloodingZoningb. ChallengesBarriersUndesirable UsesUnwelcoming Pedestrian EnvironmentFlood VulnerabilityRequired Flood Protection for Philip Jones Buildingc. Opportunities and RecommendationsFood Manufacturing IndustryFood Manufacturing-Suitable BuildingsOffice Conversion (including Tech) BuildingsUrban Design FeaturesStrategic Site: Philip Jones BuildingIntermodal TransportationDistrict-wide Flood Protection and Waterfront AccessStrategic Site: E 132nd and 134th Streets Pier and Gantry Further Study of Zoning North of BrucknerStrategic Site: NYPD Tow Pound Lotd. Next StepsContact: