By Leslie Albrecht
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
UPPER WEST SIDE — Extell Development Company says it will start work on the massive Riverside Center development in two years.
The five-tower apartment and retail complex won unanimous approval from the City Council this week, after Extell agreed to make a number of changes to Riverside Center under pressure from local officials.
After intense negotiations with City Councilwoman Gale Brewer and Community Board 7, Extell agreed to build a K-8 public school at Riverside Center, make 200 apartments at the site "affordable," and spend $20 million on improvements at nearby parks.
Extell spokesman Brian Krapf said construction on the project will begin in 2012.
The development, which will be built on eight acres between West 59th Street, West 61st Street, Riverside Boulevard and West End Avenue, is the last piece in a string of luxury apartment buildings known as Riverside South that were first approved in the early 1990s.
Extell says Riverside Center will create 900 jobs during construction and 1,400 jobs after construction.
The complex will bring 2,500 apartments, a movie theater, auto showroom, office space and parking for 1,500 cars to the largest piece of vacant land on the Upper West Side.
Brewer said in a statement that she wished the project was less dense. Developers originally proposed a 2.4 million square-foot development, but the size was increased to 3.1 million square feet.
"Riverside Center is a massive development with important near and long-term impacts on our community," said Brewer in a statement.
"I have been adamant that Riverside Center must not become an exclusive enclave for the wealthy. Our goal has been the preservation of the upper West Side as a vibrant, family-oriented community, cognizant of its history and values, open to all, friendly to business, eager for living wage jobs, and dedicated to a common public interest."
