Latest news with #City-owned
Associated Press
27-06-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
BFC Partners Close On $250M Construction Loan at 1709 Surf Avenue, Capping Off Transformation of Historic Coney Island Thoroughfare With Third New Building and a Nearly $700M Investment
420 Affordable Units at 1709 Surf Avenue Brings the Total New Housing Developed by BFC to Over 1,200 Affordable Homes in Seaside Community BROOKLYN, N.Y., June 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- BFC Partners today closed on a construction loan for 1709 Surf Avenue, the third and final phase of their three-building project along Surf Avenue in Coney Island, Brooklyn. This final phase will deliver 420 new affordable, residential units, bringing the total across all phases to 1,242 affordable homes to the seaside community and $693,641,513 of investment. With a total development cost of over $250 million for 1709 Surf Avenue alone, the New York City Department of Housing Preservation & Development (HPD), the New York City Housing Development Corporation (HDC), and Citi have partnered with BFC toward the completion of this third phase. Construction is scheduled to conclude in 2028. 'Closing on and starting construction of the third and final phase of this transformational development along Surf Avenue in Coney Island marks a major milestone for our team, said Joseph Ferrara, Principal, BFC Partners. 'We are proud to continue investing in the future of this vibrant community and are especially grateful to our city partners and to Citi for their unwavering support and collaboration. Together, we're building lasting affordability, opportunity, and impact for Coney Island.' By transforming an underutilized surface parking lot and with the use of formerly City-owned parcels of land, BFC Partners, one of New York City's most celebrated and active affordable housing developers, moves one step closer to delivering another high-quality affordable housing project. Located near the Stillwell Avenue subway station where the B, D, F, Q, and N lines converge, the new construction provides residents with direct and convenient access to all parts of New York City. Additionally, it provides BFC Partners with an avenue to support the City and State's goals for more transit-oriented development. 'Our mission is as clear as it is urgent: to ensure that every New Yorker has a safe, stable, and affordable place to call home. Delivering over 420 new affordable homes on Coney Island is an opportunity to invest in a community with deep roots, to support an area with enduring cultural significance to our City's history and help households citywide have more opportunities to thrive in more places across the five boroughs,' said Acting HPD Commissioner, Ahmed Tigani. 'Closing on this project today is not just making progress—we're building momentum, and we thank our partners BFC Partners, HDC, and Citi for making this a possibility.' 'Citi Community Capital is pleased to have been a part of the team that BFC Partners assembled, providing construction debt and long-term equity, that helped finance 1709 Surf Avenue. It is another step forward in the City's efforts to increase the supply of quality affordable housing that is so desperately needed throughout the five boroughs,' said Richard Gerwitz, Managing Director at Citi. 'We are especially proud of our work in Coney Island, where projects like this play a vital role in strengthening and stabilizing New York City's neighborhoods,' said Donald Capoccia, Principal, BFC Partners. 'Whether through new construction or rehabilitation, our investment and dedication to New York City and to communities throughout is strong.' The second phase of the Coney Island projects,1607 Surf Avenue, was completed in 2024 and its 376 units are nearly 100% leased and occupied. Phase I was completed in 2021 and its 446 units are fully occupied. On Staten Island, BFC Partners, in partnership with NYCHA, is transforming the West Brighton Houses through the PACT program and is nearing 50% completion. In the fall of 2024, BFC Partners celebrated the grand opening of The Pearl, a 269-unit residence, 100% affordable, with 50% reserved for formerly unhoused older adults. 'At BFC Partners, we remain committed to building and preserving high-quality affordable housing,' said Win Wharton, Principal, BFC Partners. 'Projects like this remind us of the vital role of new development in strengthening and stabilizing communities across New York.' About BFC Partners BFC Partners is a full-service, real estate development firm that creates community-first, urban development solutions. Since 1984, BFC has been at the forefront of developing high quality affordable, mixed-income, and market rate housing. We are dedicated to revitalizing communities and improving the lives of our residents and neighbors. As leaders in the field, our government, financial, and community partners seek us out to help start new programs and undertake complicated projects. For more information, please visit: View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE BFC Partners
IOL News
10-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Transformative vision: multi-use precinct plans unveiled for Strand Street quarry
Residents have submitted their comments on the land use application for the Strand Street Quarry. Image: supplied Plans to redevelop the Strand Street Quarry into a multi-use community precinct have reached the public feedback assessment phase, following the closure of the official comment period on 30 May 2025. The proposed redevelopment—initially presented for public comment on 17 April 2025—aims to transform the site at the corner of Strand and Hudson Streets, and 101 Vos Street, into a hub of sports, tourism, and community activity. The plans include a multi-purpose practice sports field and additional sports courts, the reconfiguration of Metro Police facilities, new tourist attractions such as markets and restaurants, and associated parking infrastructure. The proposal stems from a vision that has been developed in consultation with the community and local stakeholders since 2023. Eddie Andrews, the City's Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, said: 'Currently, the Strand Street quarry is underutilised, and in fact, often occupied by illegal dwellings and used for anti-social behaviour. Thus, the proposed development will in fact improve the general surroundings in terms of safety, cleanliness, aesthetics, and so forth. 'The intention is to transform the quarry site into a multi-use community precinct that integrates sports, culture, economic activities and tourism in a unique setting. Once fully developed, the site must benefit the local communities and Capetonians for generations to come.' Andrews confirmed that the project is still in its early planning stages. 'We are not nearly at this point yet,' he said in response to questions around the budget. The land use application includes the consolidation, subdivision, and rezoning of certain City-owned erven to obtain the necessary development rights. The City will now assess the comments received in terms of the Municipal Planning By-law (MPBL) and relevant policy. 'The comments received will now be assessed in terms of the Municipal Planning By-law (MPBL) and relevant City policies, and if there are objections, a report will be compiled for consideration by the Municipal Planning Tribunal,' Andrews explained. 'Save to say, the application makes provision for phased implementation over time, and by different role-players.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Andrews added that residents and stakeholders have been involved in the process for over two years: 'Residents and stakeholders have been engaged for over two years, and participated in several forums.' Ahead of the public comment period, the City undertook a series of public engagement and regulatory steps, including: A due diligence and concept design process initiated in March 2023 in partnership with local representatives and stakeholders. Public advertising of the first draft concept in November 2023. Environmental and heritage assessments, including a Heritage Impact Assessment tabled with Heritage Western Cape in January 2025. A Living Heritage investigation conducted in unison with the concept design, recording oral histories and the cultural connections of Bo-Kaap residents to the site. 'The application is still being assessed. The City will be able to provide more information once the application process has been concluded in terms of the MPBL,' Andrews concluded. Ossie Shabodien, former chairperson of the Bo-Kaap Ratepayers Civic Association, acknowledged the potential benefits of the redevelopment but raised questions about implementation.
IOL News
16-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Cape Town's Streetscape aims to secure housing for 14000 homeless residents
Streetscape's mission to house the homeless in Cape Town Streetscape, a non-profit organisation in Cape Town, is launching a new initiative to provide housing for the city's homeless population, aiming to raise R2.5 million to purchase City-owned properties. Image: supplied The streets of Cape Town are believed to be home to 14000 people. For those in Streetscape's reintegration pro-gramme, hope shines as the organisation raises funds to purchase seven City-owned properties in the CBD for apartments. Over the past year, the non-profit organisation, via their programmes, have helped 209 homeless people get off the streets and into accommodation. They have reached 3 500 people through daily outreach, with 150 in work readiness programmes and 30% of work graduates supported with formal employment. Fifty percent have graduated, having successfully completed the programme. With this success, Streetscapes now hopes to buy the City-owned units in Harrington Street, which are expected to house those who are in the programmes. They are working hard behind the scenes with crowd-finding projects to raise R2.5 million to purchase the properties and secure an additional R2 million for renovations and eco-friendly infrastructure, including solar power systems and water treatment and conservation systems. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Jesse Laitinen, Streetscapes founder and manager, said the vision was reintegration and for the project to grow. 'We integrate these systems into all our housing projects, reducing long-term utility costs and contributing to Cape Town's environmental sustainability by lowering the ecological footprint of our buildings.' She said they were now appealing for businesses and corporates to come on board, adding that they would be working with residents as soon as the discussion processes begins. 'These units are right in the CBD,' Laitinen said. 'We are working with the residents and there will be a public participation process. 'We are seeking a corporate sponsor. 'We need someone to see the value in this once off payment. 'The buildings need a lot of refurbishment and we would like companies and construction companies to come on board. 'If this goes well, it can open the doors for many NGOs. 'The seven buildings have two floors, four bedrooms, and we want to make them into apartments. 'Transitional houses where people will move from there and others to fill it again.' In response to Streetscape's plans, the City said no decision has been reached concerning the sale of the properties as yet, and they would not discuss the price tag. 'No decision has been made for these units to be sold to an NGO and therefore no details including that related to the sale price are available,' the City said. 'The City received an application from an NGO requesting to purchase City-owned properties in Harrington Street, which is still in the process of being assessed and considered. 'As part of the consideration process, public participation will be undertaken and Council approval will need to be obtained. 'The City may consider selling at a discounted rate. "Council's policy on the management of some of the City of Cape Town's Immovable Property provides for social care properties to be sold at a purchase price of between 10% to 25% of fair market value, subject to a reversionary clause being registered against the title deed limiting the usage of the properties for social care purpose.' According to Laitinen, Streetscapes has helped hundreds move from the streets into stability, through housing and daily structure, psychosocial support, and meaningful work. The reintegration unit would make a difference for beneficiaries such as Jonathan Manuel, 38, who lived on the streets of Cape Town for 20 years and is desperate to have his younger brother join him in the programme and into a home. Today, after seven months, Manuel is working and is inside a home (Streetscape programmes) and is determined to one day move into his own home and become independent. He said he and his two siblings had humble and sad beginnings with their mother dying at a young age after working as a sex worker to support her family. They landed in foster care where they were abused by one of the families, which led him to the streets. 'I am staying inside a house now and there is a feeling of warmth in my family,' he told the Cape Argus. 'I will be very glad to get my own place. My baby brother is still living on the streets." 'I am trying to motivate him. 'I am very happy, Streetscapes opened my eyes. 'They showed me to work for your money, that street life isn't the way. 'I don't do drugs anymore. They are making big changes.' Another is Clinton Hendricks, peer field worker at Streetscapes. Streetscape's mission to house the homeless in Cape Town Streetscape is raising funds to purchase city-owned units in Cape Town's CBD to provide homes for the homeless, with a successful reintegration programme that has already helped hundreds find stability. Image: supplied 'I was homeless, moving between gangs, destroying myself with drugs, dug through bins for food and robbed tourists to feed my habit," said Hendricks. "Prison became a revolving door. Those years are lost to me now. 'When I found Streetscapes, I had lost touch with reality. Weekly counselling helped me rebuild. I learned how to communicate, grew more confident, and started to believe in myself." Cape Argus
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
City of San Diego replacing EV chargers, offers free charging in May
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — The City of San Diego is working to replace old EV chargers at parks, beaches and libraries, and in celebration of National Clean Air Month, EV charging at City swap out locations will be free for the entire month of May. Crews will be working starting Monday through May 23 to swap out old electric vehicle chargers with new ones at the following City locations: Rancho Bernardo-Glassman Recreation Center Ocean Air Recreation Center Hourglass Community Park Nobel Fields and Recreation Center South De Anza Cove Park Mission Bay Aquatic Center Mission Bay Park Bonita Cove Ocean Beach Lifeguard Station San Diego Zoo Ruben H. Fleet Science Center San Diego Central Library Thousands of volunteers to remove 100,000 pounds of litter in San Diego The City of San Diego is encouraging the community to transition to zero-emission vehicles through its Public Electric Vehicle Charging Program (PEVCP), part of its Climate Action Plan Measure 2.3 goal of going net zero by 2035. Part of the project, the City says EV charging will be free at the new chargers throughout May. The Public Electric Vehicle Charging Program (PEVCP) site installations will take place in five categories. Public EV chargers at City locations will be replaced EV charger installation at public City facilities — libraries and recreation centers — are listed under priority one EV charger installation at City workplaces — offices, police stations, fire stations and more — are listed under priority two EV charger installation at new City facility construction projects will be determined by construction timeline EV charger installation at other city properties will be determined by the vendor Brand new, all-electric San Diego library branch set to open The City has entered into an exclusive 10-year concession agreement with EVerged to provide EV charging access to communities across the San Diego, which will be responsible for financing, designing, permitting, operating and maintaining EV chargers at City-owned parking lots. The community can share their thoughts on EV charging in the City of San Diego with the EV Community Input Survey. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
IOL News
24-04-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Have your say on the Strand Street Quarry redevelopment project
Residents and interested parties are encouraged to comment on the land use application for the Strand Street Quarry. Residents and interested parties have until May 30 to comment on the land use for the proposed redevelopment of the Strand Street Quarry site. The City of Cape Town is proposing that the quarry, located along Strand Street bordering Bo-Kaap and De Waterkant, be transformed into a multi-use community precinct that integrates sports, culture, economic activities and tourism in a unique setting that will benefit the community for years to come. The land use application includes the consolidation, subdivision, and rezoning of certain City-owned erven to obtain development rights for the proposal, as well as application for consent uses and departures. The Strand Street Quarry, one of three quarries in Bo-Kaap, is a national heritage site that has always been an asset, however, the site has been left derelict and underutilised for decades. According to the City, multiple local governments have been working on studies, assessments and development proposals since 1976 with no tangible results. In March 2023, the City initiated a concept design workshop with community representatives, City professionals, and stakeholders. The proposed Strand Street Quarry redevelopment project also includes a Living Heritage investigation, which was conducted in unison with the draft concept design process in 2023, with the project collecting and recording oral histories and intangible cultural heritage and social history of the Bo-Kaap community, particularly their connection to the quarry site and broader surrounding area. Following the conclusion of this public participation process related to the heritage impact assessment and environmental impact assessment, all reports were finalised and submitted to the Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning for a decision on the environmental authorisation application, said the City. Deputy mayor and the Mayoral committee member for spatial planning and environment, Eddie Andrews, said the City has been collaborating with community stakeholders since 2023 on a shared vision for this important site. "The application makes provision for phased implementation over time, and by different role-players. I encourage residents and interested parties to submit their comments." The quarry has been a concern for residents for years due to illegal occupation and criminals using it as a hideout. It has also been a topic in previous Cape Town Central Community Policing Forum (CPF) meetings, where the police and the community have raised constant concerns about crime, fires and other social ills in the vicinity of the quarry. The site is being used for training by FC Bo-Kaap after the City recently cleaned and secured it. Resident and cultural heritage activist Jacky Poking said it should be a space for sports and recreation. "Bo-Kaap is in dire need of these types of spaces. We don't need more spaces for tourists. "The buildings that are there can be used as change rooms, club rooms, and community gathering space - maybe even a space for trading with food. We currently only have the Bo-Kaap community Centre in Yusuf Drive that all organisations try to use and it's not enough. "The quarry belongs to Bo-Kaap and we said from the start that it should be a sports and recreation space." The chair of the Bo-Kaap Neighbourhood watch, Ebrahim Christians, also said the quarry should be used as a sports facility for the youth. "The field belongs to Bo-Kaap... we do not have any grounds in the area for our youth to practice on. FC Bo-Kaap should continue to use the field." All of the relevant documents related to the proposed redevelopment are available on the City's website: Redevelopment of Strand Street Quarry, Cape Town Cape Argus
