BOERUM HILL — A plan to build hundreds of mixed-income units at NYCHA's Wyckoff Gardens is moving a step forward as the city looks for a developer for the project.
In a Request for Proposals released Thursday, the city is seeking proposals for the design, financing, construction and operation of the residential units as well as community and commercial space at Wyckoff Gardens, according to an announcement from the New York City Housing Authority and the Department of Housing Preservation and Development.
The announcement also includes a similar plan for Holmes Towers on the Upper East Side. Developers may submit proposals for one or both projects.
While NYCHA had earlier planned for 550 to 650 new units created at Wyckoff Gardens, that number was reduced to approximately 500 in Thursday's announcement. The units would be 50 percent affordable and 50 percent market-rate rental housing, the agency said.
NYCHA residents will have a preference for 25 percent of affordable units.
Both developments at Wyckoff Gardens and Holmes Towers are part of NYCHA's NextGeneration Neighborhoods program, a 10-year strategic plan to help the city agency's operating deficit and provide funds for capital repairs.
“The NextGen Neighborhoods program enables us to not only create much-needed housing for low-income New Yorkers, but to generate revenue to address NYCHA’s critical repair needs,” NYCHA Chair and CEO Shola Olatoye said in a statement.
“This Request for Proposals reflects the input we received from residents, advocates and other key stakeholders after an extensive and meaningful engagement process that will continue as the development moves forward.”
The plan is also in line with Mayor Bill de Blasio's push to create more affordable housing through the city.
Tenants have been wary of the plan since it was announced in the fall, fearing the loss of affordability and low-income public housing in the area.
But after multiple community outreach and engagement meetings, NYCHA has outlined the "Wyckoff Gardens Community Principles" to ensure residents' input is heard during the planning process, the agency said.
Among the "principles" outlined, residents said that the new buildings "should be kept in the scope, context, and character of the existing buildings, and should be designed in such a way so as to enhance the existing development and not take away from it."
The city agency said preference will be given to developer's proposals that align with residents' recommendations. Developers must also train and hire low-income and public housing tenants.
Sites for development in the NYCHA campus have been identified at the corner of Third Avenue and Wyckoff Street and the corner of Nevins Street and Wyckoff Street. There should also be at least 10,000 square feet of commercial space and 10,000 square-feet of community facility space.
Proposals must be submitted by Sept. 30.
