New York City issues RFP for market-rate housing plan.

The New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC) issued a Request for Proposals seeking marketrate residential development proposals seeking market-rate residential development proposals for the Mill Basin waterfront in the Jamaica Bay area. The development will include an approximately two-acre city-owned public space, to be managed by the Parts Department, with a nature walk overlooking the open water and the adjacent Foru Sparrows Marsh wetland area.

The RFP for the nearly 13-acre site in south east Brooklyn seeks only residential development, although the current C-3 zoning (an R3-2 equivalent) would permit a mix of residential and marina uses. EDC has determined that housing development is most compatible with the surrounding areas and will result in little or no impact on the adjacent wetlands.

In addition to the two-acre park, design guidelines included in the RFP lay out a scheme to promote the creation of a highquality residential development featuring good public access end views of the waterfront. The housing will be low-rise and green buffer areas will separate developed areas from the public open space and streets. The guidelines require the plans to include an observation deck at the south east corner of the site and that plantings be done with native and selected naturalized species including black willow, cottonwood, pitch pine, American holly and sweet pepperbush.

Responses to the RFP are due July 9. To request a copy, call Patricia Walker at [phone].