Right to the City-NYC Condo Count Training. Agenda I.RTTC-NYC’s Condo Conversion Campaign II.Conducting the Count: Step- by-Step III.Quick Tips

Right to the City-NYCRight to the City-NYCCondo Count Training

AgendaAgendaI. RTTC-NYC’s Condo

Conversion Campaign

II. Conducting the Count: Step-by-Step

III. Quick Tips

RTTC NYC’sRTTC NYC’s Condo Conversion Condo Conversion

CampaignCampaignPicked from platform as RTTC NYC’s top campaign priority

Many empty luxury condos exist in neighborhoods with clear housing needs

Has support of some elected officials: Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Assemblyman, Hakeem Jeffries

Will pressure NYC to convert empty condos into affordable housing.

The info we collect during the canvass will be used to develop a map and a report

We will look for stimulus funding to help convert these condos

We will Canvass target areas chosen by RTTC NYC groups: Downtown Brooklyn, Bushwick, LES, West Village, Chelsea, Harlem & South Bronx

RTTC NYC’sRTTC NYC’s Condo Conversion Condo Conversion

CampaignCampaignWe will canvass in our target neighborhoods to find empty condosMap this information to show the amount of empty condos that exist in

neighborhoods with housing needs ID several compelling condos to highlight in a report to be released in late

Fall

PHASE 1: CONDO CANVASS

PHASE 2: SECONDARY RESEARCH

Train RTTC NYC members to use online databases: PLUTO/RPAD/etc ID useful info, including: value of building, tax breaks or public subsidies

given, etc.

Research Plan

Conducting the Count: Conducting the Count: Step by StepStep by Step

Step #1: Follow the Map & Walk-List

Step #2: What Makes You Stop?

Step #3: Inspect Condo

Step #4: Take a Photo

Step #5: Complete Canvass Sheet

Step #6: Review Complete Canvass Sheet

Step #1: Step #1: Follow Map & Walk List Follow Map & Walk List

Each canvass team will receive a “turf” packet, which includes:

Directions to your turf

Map of the larger Community District

Map of the Census Tracks you will be canvassing today

Walk list of sites that have received a building permit from 2004-2008


Brooklyn Community District 2

Building Permits for New

Construction: Issued between

2004-2008

Building Permits for New

Construction: Issued between

2004-2008


Census Tract 35


Tract 35

Map # Address Zoning # Bldgs # Floors What’s there?

30 70 HANSON PLACE R 0 0

10 729 FULTON STREET R 1 4

7501 139 FLATBUSH AVENUE C 1 14

Zoning Codes: R=Residential M=Manufacturing MX=Mixed C=Commercial

Empty LotCondosTaco Bell

Step #2: What Makes You Stop? Step #2: What Makes You Stop?

Newly built, finished condos that appear to contain empty units

Newly renovated condos that appear to contain empty units

Condos under construction, but construction seems to have stalled

Today, we will be looking for:

Addresses on your walk list

Step #3: Step #3: Inspect CondoInspect Condo

Signage: For sale signs, open house Real estate agent Developer AdvertisementsOther clues: No lights on in units No furniture in apartments No air conditioner or blinds in window No one walking in and out of building

Look for the Following Clues to ID if the Condo is Empty:

$1.5 Billion!

Step #3: Look for the Following Clues Step #3: Look for the Following Clues to ID Stalled Constructionto ID Stalled Construction

Building clearly under construction, but no workers or building materials are present

Speak with the neighbors to ID stalled construction of condos.

Step #4: Step #4: Take a PhotoTake a Photo When you have determined that a condo contains

empty units, take a photo

Try to get as much of the property in the picture as possible—it may be best to take it from across the street

Take only 1 picture per property

Make sure to record the camera and photo number on your canvass sheet

Step #5: Step #5: Complete Canvass SheetComplete Canvass Sheet

We’ll Look at Two Examples: “The Oro”: 306 Gold Street 238 Atlantic Avenue

Example #1: “The Oro” 306 Gold StExample #1: “The Oro” 306 Gold St

Step #2: What Makes Us Stop?

Step #3: Closely Inspect

Step #4: Take Photo

Step #5: Fill Out Canvass Sheet

Step #6: Review Canvass Sheet

Look like a new building, crane is evidence of construction

We notice a for sale sign, and advertisements for “the Oro” in the neighborhood

Step #1: Follow Map & Walk List


Alexa Kasdan UJC 07/10/09 21

306 Gold 3 8

Street Brooklyn

Johnson & Tillary Street

340 Gold & 300 Gold

40 Highrise

309


Cranes, scaffolding

People in and out of building. There is a doorman

United Homes

www.greenfieldpartners.com

Greenfield Partners, LLC


Dept. of buildings certificate, open house sign

NOTES:_______________________________________________________

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Building is known as the “Oro.” There are advertisements for the

Oro in the surrounding areas. Spoke with neighbors who said only 20% of

the building has sold and that because of that, a second “Oro” building is

now going to be a hotel instead of condos. Lots of other construction

happening in the area. Went into the building to inquire with doorman about

prices. He gave me a number to call and a pamphlet.


Step #6: Review Complete Step #6: Review Complete Canvass SheetCanvass Sheet

After completing canvass sheet:

Review the sheet to ensure you have completed the entire sheet

Ensure that your handwriting is legible

Make sure you’ve recorded the camera and photo number

Example #2: 238 Atlantic Avenue Example #2: 238 Atlantic Avenue

Step #2: What Makes Us Stop?

Step #3: Closely Inspect

Step #5: Fill Out Canvass Sheet

Step #6: Review Canvass Sheet

Step #4: Take Photo

Step #1: Follow Map & Walk List

Building looks vacant, evidence of stalled construction

We notice scaffolding, no glass in windows, and no one is currently working on the building

Desiree Marshall FIERCE 07/10/09 43

238 Atlantic 3 9

Avenue Brooklyn

Court Street and Boerum Place

200 Atlantic and 266 Atlantic Avenue


6

Scaffolding, Building is incomplete

55


Tenement

Building is completely vacant

212-657-3948

Bensonhurst Realty


NOTES:_______________________________________________________

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Building is clearly vacant- there is no glass in any of the windows.

Scaffolding is up, but there are no workers present, no building materials.

Spoke with a neighbor who said that no construction has happened on the

building in over 6 months.


What What Not Not to Look For:to Look For:

Empty LotsOffice Buildings

Early Construction

Test Run!Test Run!

Outside BuildingInside Window

Signs on building

$1.5 Billion!212-565-8915

TipsTips Since it’s easier to see buildings from across the

street, one person should walk down each side of the street

Take Notes! More info is better than less

If you feel comfortable, talk with neighbors about the development in the area

Try to canvass your entire turf- So keep moving! Don’t take too long at any one building.

Please return to MOM’s office by 5:45pm and have your team “captain” return all of your materials

HAVE FUN!

Before Leaving, Make Sure You:Before Leaving, Make Sure You: Find your team leader and group

Assign a note-taker, a photographer, and map-follower

Bring ALL materials, including: your clipboards, maps, pens, cameras, and a good attitude

Put your name, census tract number and date at the top of all canvass sheets

Documents

Right to the City-NYC Condo Count Training. Agenda I.RTTC-NYC’s Condo Conversion Campaign II.Conducting the Count: Step- by-Step III.Quick Tips