Councilmember Rafael Salamanca - CITY COUNCIL APPROVES “LA PENINSULA” DEVELOPMENT AT FORMER SPOFFORD SITE

The City Council passed the redevelopment proposal for the site of former Spofford Juvenile Detention Center in the South Bronx’s Hunts Point. The $300 million project, dubbed “La Peninsula,” includes the construction of a five-building, mixed-use development over three phases to be completed by 2024. The five-acre plan is comprised of 740 affordable units with rents as low as $396 per month, 54,000-square-feet of open and recreational space, 14,000-square-feet of fenced, green space, 49,000-square-feet of light industrial space, 48,000-square-feet of community facility space and 21,000-squre-feet of commercial and retail space. 

 

“La Peninsula will be a transformative project for Hunts Point and the South Bronx, adding 100% affordable housing and new jobs while spurring economic growth through the creation of a vibrant hub for my community,” said Council Member and Land Use Chair Rafael Salamanca, Jr. “Together with organizations such as Urban Health Plan, The Point CDC and many others we’ve advocated tirelessly to ensure that this project thoughtfully incorporates the much-needed community amenities to the neighborhood – and we got them. I’m grateful to our community leaders and partners who’ve helped take this incredible project one step closer to reality and look forward to our continued partnership to see this development to completion.”

 

Led by Gilbane Development Company, the site will be redeveloped by a team of developers, including the Hudson Companies and Mutual Housing Association of New York (MHANY). The consortium has committed to working closely with community stakeholders and groups, such as The Point Community Development Corporation, Urban Health Plan, Sustainable South Bronx, The Knowledge House, Casita Maria, Rocking the Boat, and BronxWorks. The master plan is designed by Body Lawson Associates and WXY.

 

The site will also feature a food step-up space for local entrepreneurs, a 15,000-square-foot early childhood education facility, and an 18,000-square-foot health and wellness center operated by Urban Health Plan. The project also commits to providing adequate lighting and security around the development site, repairing and widening the sidewalk on part of Tiffany Street and hiring a Bronx-based security firm to provide security during demolition.

 

The former detention center closed in 2011 and has remained vacant except for a Head Start (Pre-Kindergarten) facility operated by the New York City Administration for Children’s Services (ACS).