The city has issued a Request for Proposals to turn a former Bronx school into a new mixed income housing development.
The development site at 425 Grand Concourse in the Mott Haven neighborhood was previously occupied by Public School 31.
The building was demolished due to structural issues that posed a safety hazard to the area.
The city has taken steps to preserve architectural elements of the original school building and included a requirement in the RFP that proposals incorporate the salvaged elements into the new building’s design.
The city is seeking proposals from developers that include a housing to suit a mix of incomes, as well as ground-floor retail or a mix of retail and community facility.
“With a crisis of affordability gripping so many New York families, working across agencies to repurpose vacant or under-used city owned sites and maximizing our resources, is critical to addressing the affordable housing needs of our growing city,” said HPD Commissioner Vicki Been.
“This former school which served as a place of learning and growing will once again be a hub for the neighborhood and will provide affordable homes for working-class families as well as new opportunities for retail or community space. My thanks to Borough President Diaz, Council Member Arroyo, and our other stakeholders for their input and support.”
The 425 Grand Concourse site will be developed in under Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Housing New Yorkto finance the creation and preservation of 200,000 affordable units.
“Though I am heartbroken to see the demolition of P.S. 31, my alma mater, we must make the most of the opportunity that has been created,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.
“This site has incredible potential to help renew an area that has seen considerable interest from all corners in recent months, and is a key component of our plan for a reinvigorated Harlem River waterfront district.”
With an increasing demand for affordable housing, the City is working to leverage its vacant and underused properties, when appropriate, to create new opportunities for affordable housing development.
The development site is a rectangular parcel located at 425 Grand Concourse in the Mott Haven neighborhood of Bronx Community District 1.
Occupying the southern portion of the block with Grand Concourse to the east, Walton Avenue to the west, and East 144th Street to the south, the approximately 30,049 s/f site consists of Block 2346, Lot 1.
The RFP seeks a mix of units that will be affordable to households at a variety of income levels. Plans should include a minimum of 15 percent three-bedroom units and a maximum of 15 percent studio units.
“The historic nature of the site calls for a unique, high-quality project that honors the significance of the location and provides affordable housing as well as new, improved amenities for the neighborhood as a whole,ˮ says the RFP.
“The chosen developer will also be responsible for incorporating architectural elements that were salvaged during the demolition of the school, including terra cotta gargoyles, heads, and the engraved P.S. 31 sign.ˮ
Proposals — due by September 28 — must also achieve certification through the Enterprise Green Communities Program.
