City issues RFP for 6-acres of prime East Harlem land.

New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC) issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the sale and development of a six-acre site on East 125th Street in East Harlem.

The East 125th Street Development is expected to be a dynamic retail, residential, entertainment and media destination. The city worked closely with community leaders and elected officials to establish consensus on the development principles and goals for the project. The site consists of three parcels between Second and Third Avenues and East 125th and East 127th Streets.

The project is expected to include up to 300,000 s/f of national retail space, including 120,000 s/f of specialty retail, restaurants, cinemas, and nightclubs, as well as 50,000 s/f of local retail.

Up to 1,000 units of mixed-income housing are recommended, along with about 300,000 s/f of media space and up to 30,000 s/f of space for not-for-profit performing, visual and media arts. There is also potential for a hotel. A minimum of 2,500 and 10,000 s/ f of open space must accompany Parcels A and B, respectively.

In January 2006, the leadership of Manhattan Community Board 11 created a Community Task Force of representatives of community organizations and elected officials, including Council Member Melissa Mark-Viverito and Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer, to address the community's concerns regarding the development of the project site.

"The City's decision to re-issue an RFP for the blocks north of 125th Street is a strong sign that united communities have the power to participate in the planning of their neighborhoods," said Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer. "We can now be assured that the community will have real input in choosing a proposal that best suits its needs."

The project site is located at the eastern end of the 125th Street corridor in the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone and the East Harlem Empire Zone. The City currently owns about 81% of the land and is seeking to acquire the non-city-owned parcels. Proposals must include an underground replacement facility for the MTA bus storage depot that exists at grade on Parcel A.

Currently, the City's Department of City Planning is engaged in a study of the neighboring area that will strengthen the 125th Street corridor's continuity and encourage a diverse mix of businesses, including arts and entertainment, promote local economic development, and generate career opportunities for East Harlem residents.

EDC will use a variety of criteria to evaluate the responses, such as: economic impact on the City; development team's qualifications; financial feasibility; development plan's relationship to surrounding community; land use and design, and respondents satisfaction of development guidelines.

There will be an information session on Wednesday, November 15, 2006 at 3 p.m. at EDC Offices, 110 William Street, and 4th Floor. Please RSVP by calling Anifia Binns at [phone] or e-mail abinns@ nycedc.com, by 4 p.m. November 10, 2006.