Tuesday, May 17, 2022

Governor Hochul Announces Construction to Begin on $118 Million Mixed-Use Affordable Housing Development in Brooklyn

Bridge Rockaway Groundbreaking

Bridge Rockaway in Brownsville Will Offer 174 Affordable Homes with 87 Units Reserved for Seniors and Veterans Experiencing Homelessness

Mixed-Use Development Will Include Light Manufacturing Space Operated by the Greenpoint Manufacturing and Design Center, Creating Up to 35 Jobs  

Part of Governor's $25 Billion, Five-Year, Comprehensive Housing Plan

Renderings Available Here  


 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the start of construction on a $118 million mixed-use affordable housing development in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Brownsville. Known as Bridge Rockaway, the development will offer 174 affordable apartments, including 87 with supportive services, and 39,000 square feet of ground floor manufacturing space which will be available for lease to light manufacturers. The manufacturing space will be separately owned and operated by GreenpointManufacturing and Design Center, a nonprofit industrial developer, and it is expected to create up to 35 jobs.

"Quality affordable homes and good paying jobs are the foundation for successful and thriving communities, and that is what we are delivering to Brownsville with this important investment," Governor Hochul said. "Bridge Rockaway is an innovative collaboration between state and nonprofit partners that will bolster our continued efforts to revitalize Central Brooklyn."

Bridge Rockaway is part of Governor Hochul's sweeping plans to make housing more affordable, equitable, and stable. In the recently enacted State Budget, the Governor successfully secured a new $25 billion, five-year, comprehensive housing plan that will increase housing supply by creating or preserving 100,000 affordable homes across New York, including 10,000 with support services for vulnerable populations, plus the electrification of an additional 50,000 homes.

The development will consist of two residential towers, one with six floors, and another with seven floors, separated by an 11,000-square-foot garden. All 174 apartments will be affordable to households earning 70 percent of the Area Median Income or less. There is one superintendent unit.

Thirty-five households will have access to on-site supportive services and rental subsidies funded through the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative and administered by the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. These homes will be reserved for seniors and veterans in need of supportive services.

An additional 52 apartments will be reserved for chronically homeless adults. Services for these individuals will be funded through the NYC 15/15 Congregate Supportive Housing Services Program administered by the New York City Human Resources Administration and the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development. On-site supportive services will be provided by The Bridge.

Greenpoint Manufacturing and Design Center will operate a 39,000-square-foot manufacturing space on the building's ground floor that will provide affordable small scale manufacturing facilities to approximately ten to twelve local businesses. It is expected that the facility will create up to 35 jobs.

Residential amenities will include a ground floor community facility space, a continuously-staffed lobby reception area, and a community garden. Additional residential amenities will be on the second floor including social services offices, a computer room, a community kitchen, a multipurpose room, bicycle room, storage, and laundry facilities.

The development team consists of The Bridge, Mega Development and GreenpointManufacturing and Design Center.

State financing for the residential portion includes $11.4 million in permanent tax-exempt bonds, Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits that will generate $46 million equity and $16.9 million in subsidy from New York State Homes and Community Renewal. The New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance is providing $6.5 million through the Homeless Housing Assistance Program. The New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development is providing $17.1 million in support.

Empire State Development has agreed to support the $11.8 million manufacturing space with a capital grant of up to $1.6 million. The grant was recommended by the New York City Regional Economic Development Council and reflects New York State's efforts to revitalize and grow New York's manufacturing sector and support small businesses.

Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, "Bridge Rockaway is a transformative development for the residents and businesses of the Brownsville neighborhood. We are proud to partner with The Bridge, Mega Development and GMDC to provide a brighter and more secure future for 174 families, including permanent supportive housing for 87 homeless adults including seniors and veterans. By pairing the housing development with new light manufacturing jobs, we can leverage our work to help drive economic growth and support local business owners for years to come. Thank you to our many public, private and non-profit partners who have helped us reach today's milestone."

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, "GMDC's Bridge Rockaway is a transformative development that will create affordable housing and encourage small business manufacturing in Brooklyn. This project will complement the State's efforts to revitalize areas by building healthy, affordable and vibrant communities, while the small businesses support local supply chains and create jobs that catalyze regional economic growth."

Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Daniel W. Tietz said, "Supportive housing provides targeted assistance for individuals and families that have experienced homelessness to ensure they remain stably housed and can succeed in their community. Once constructed, Bridge Rockaway will offer veterans with disabilities, the elderly, and those suffering from a serious mental illness with the housing and supportive services they need to thrive in a safe, independent setting. With projects like this one in Brooklyn, Governor Hochul continues to demonstrate her commitment to making affordable housing accessible to all New Yorkers, including our most vulnerable neighbors."

No comments:

Post a Comment