Governor Hochul Announces Request for Proposals for the Purchase and Redevelopment of Downstate Correctional Facility

 

RFP Places Strong Emphasis on Housing, With a Range of Unit Sizes and Affordability Levels

Also Announces Progress Toward Redeveloping Livingston Correctional Facility as Livingston County Industrial Development Agency Secures Necessary Approvals for Land Transfer

Aligns With Governor’s Ongoing Effort to Identify State-Owned Sites for Potential Residential Uses

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that Empire State Development, in partnership with the Office of General Services and Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, has issued a Request for Proposals for the former Downstate Correctional Facility located in Fishkill, Dutchess County. This Request for Proposals advances recommendations made by the Prison Redevelopment Commission and builds on first-in-the-nation strategic efforts to reimagine former prison sites from an economic development focus as prison populations shrink and prisons close. The Request for Proposals is also a part of the Governor’s ongoing effort to identify state-owned sites for potential residential uses to increase the State’s housing supply in light of the housing crisis.

“The formation of the Prison Redevelopment Commission, announced nearly one year ago, was the first comprehensive analysis in the United States for the reuse and redevelopment of New York’s closed facilities,” Governor Hochul said. “The Commission compiled thoughtful, realistic information and recommendations that considered input from both experts and community stakeholders, and we are hitting the ground running and taking major steps to move these recommendations forward in ways that will give impacted communities a voice on the future of these closed sites.”

Governor Hochul also announced that Empire State Development has secured necessary approvals for the transfer of Livingston Correctional Facility to the Livingston County Industrial Development Agency, advancing another key recommendation from the Prison Redevelopment Commission’s 2022 Unlocking Opportunity report.

Request for Proposals to Redevelop Downstate Correctional Facility

The primary development objective for the redevelopment of the Downstate Correctional Facility is to maximize benefits to the surrounding community and region while prioritizing housing. Following the Governor’s directive and in accordance with recommendations from the Unlocking Opportunity report, the Request for Proposals (RFP) places a strong emphasis on housing in a mix of unit sizes and affordability ranges and makes up to $8 million in incentives available to eligible respondents to address remediation and demolition costs. View RFP here.

The former maximum-security site covers approximately 80 acres of land, 50 of which are within the perimeter security and 30 of which are outside. There are 34 buildings on the property, totaling 558,000 square feet. The site is located in the Town of Fishkill and is adjacent to the City of Beacon. It is approximately 70 miles north of New York City and approximately 95 miles south of Albany.

Fishkill, positioned along the Hudson River, has a rich history as a strategic north-south passageway. Today, the town is primarily composed of residential neighborhoods but has several commercial hubs. The town has also seen a surge in technology and advanced manufacturing companies in recent years. GlobalFoundries, a multinational semiconductor manufacturing and design company, opened a facility in a former IBM office in East Fishkill in 2015. In addition, Dutchess Stadium, which has a seating capacity of 4,500 and is home to the Hudson Valley Renegades minor league baseball team, is in West Fishkill, just a mile southwest of the site.

The site is also proximate to several higher education institutions, including SUNY Orange, SUNY New Paltz, SUNY Ulster, Vassar College, Dutchess Community College, the Culinary Institute of America, and United States Military Academy (West Point).

Proposals must be received by ESD via DropBox by August 23, 2023, at 2 p.m. Potential Respondents may also attend a site tour that is anticipated to be scheduled on or around August 2, 2023. Please RSVP to DownstateCFacilityRFP23@esd.ny.gov by July 31, 2023, at 5 p.m.

Livingston Correctional Facility

Additionally, the ESD Board of Directors and the Public Authorities Control Board have authorized ESD to advance the process to transfer the shuttered Livingston Correctional Facility to the Livingston County Industrial Development Authority. Once this transfer is complete, Livingston County would begin developing the site with job creating economic activity in the southern end of Livingston County, bringing a site previously costing the state money back on the local tax rolls. This would be the first completed transfer of a site studied by the Prison Redevelopment Commission for economic development purposes.

Prison Redevelopment Commission

In May 2022, Governor Hochul convened the Prison Redevelopment Commission, comprised of leading experts in the community and economic development, real estate, criminal justice reform, and government sectors, to address vacant and blighted prison facilities and develop a set of recommendations for creative uses. The Commission issued its findings, including 13 recommendations to facilitate the redevelopment of closed prisons, in the Unlocking Opportunity report in December.

ESD, in partnership with DOCCS and OGS, is working to advance recommendations from the report. Since the report was issued, razor wire has been removed on time and under budget from the Mt. McGregor, Willard and Ogdensburg facilities. The removal of this wire will make the sites more conducive to redevelopment and cut a considerable expense out of future redevelopment costs.

Furthermore, at the recommendation of the Prison Redevelopment Commission, four sites have been “kept warm.” These sites include Willard, Moriah, Ogdensburg, and Livingston. This practice preserves the on-site buildings and infrastructure between the time of closure and redevelopment, reducing the costs associated with future renovation or demolition of deteriorating buildings.

KRVC - Workshop TODAY and Concert this Sunday!

 

Join Us for for all these Upcoming July 2023 Events Sponsored by KRVC!

NYGOP Chair Ed Cox calls on New York Democrats to condemn anti-Semitism

 

The U.S. House of Representatives yesterday passed a resolution in support of the state of Israel following comments made by Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) that Israel is a "racist state.” Nine Democrats voted against the resolution, including Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortes and Jamaal Bowman of New York.

NYGOP Chair Ed Cox released the following statement in response:

“I call upon Kathy Hochul, Jay Jacobs, Hakeem Jeffries, Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand to take a clear and unambiguous stand against anti-Semitism in their own party and condemn in the strongest terms possible Reps. Bowman and Ocasio-Cortez’s heinous votes.

“Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Shelley Meyer live in Jamaal Bowman’s district. Michael Gianaris lives in Ocasio-Cortez's district. Do they have anything to say? Or like New York’s other Democratic leaders, will they continue to put politics over decency?”

Developers Reveal Completed 249-Unit Passive House Building At 42 West Broad Street In Mount Vernon

 

The all-season, heated pool at 42 Broad Street

        Alexander Development Group and The Bluestone Organization have just completed one of the world’s largest Passive House multifamily rental properties at 42 West Broad Street in Mount Vernon, New York. Known simply as 42 Broad, the property is designed by Perkins Eastman and comprises 249 market-rate apartments, more than 20,000 square feet of amenities, a parking garage, and high-efficiency mechanicals that significantly limit the structure’s energy use and carbon emissions.

To celebrate the milestone, the project team, which includes an advisory group from J.P. Morgan Global Alternatives, has revealed a first look inside the building, which will soon open for occupancy.

“With 42 Broad we have created a collection of forward-thinking residences that reflect our dedication to sustainable living and represents a truly unique offering in today’s crowded multifamily real estate market,” said Eric Bluestone of The Bluestone Organization. “The upscale building’s combination of sustainable features and vast array of amenities sets it apart from other luxury properties in the area.”

View inside a penthouse at 42 Broad Street

The mix of units includes studios and one- and two-bedroom residences, all equipped with nine-foot ceiling spans, Energy Star appliances, laundry machines, and hardwood flooring. The penthouse units also include wraparound terraces and 10-foot ceiling spans.

Amenity spaces include a fitness center, a heated pool with shaded pergolas, and a 17th-floor roof deck with outdoor kitchens, dining area, and a fireplace. There is also an upper level lounge with billiards and an entertaining kitchen, co-working spaces and private conference rooms, a library with another fireplace, a courtyard zen garden, and a large community room.

Additional services include a valet attended parking garage, on-site concierge service, electric vehicle charging stations, and bike storage.

Pricing begins at $2,100 for a studio apartment. Leasing launched earlier this month.    

     Rendering of 42 Broad Street in Mount Vernon, New York                            

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson - Community Resources & Updates

 

Dear Neighbor,

 

Thank you for joining us for another week in review!

 

After last week's downpour, the Bronx Summer Concert Series is back and ready to go! Our next stop: Crotona Park! Join us for an afternoon of dancing, singing, and community during a concert featuring performances by legendary artists. For a list of upcoming events, click here.

Also, we hope you will volunteer with us for our 2023 Bronx Summer Clean-Up Series. Volunteers get free tickets to a Yankees game as a thank-you for their hard work! Cleaner streets and community engagement are important to us, and we’re proud to support this important annual cleanup series alongside our partners. For information on how to get involved, click here.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our office at 718-590-3500 or email us at webmail@bronxbp.nyc.gov.

 

In partnership,

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson

 

 IN THE COMMUNITY     

Congratulations to Stop & Shop on the launch of CHAM Fresh Connect! This initiative, in partnership with About Fresh and the Children's Hospital at Montefiore, aims to connect healthcare professionals and patients to healthy food options.

For this pilot program, families will receive pre-paid debit cards to purchase healthy food and produce at Stop & Shop supermarkets.

I am so grateful to have partners who are equally committed and dedicated to combatting food insecurity and creating access to healthy food for all.

   

Thank you to the Bronx Chamber of Commerce for hosting a BX City Council and NY Senate Forum.

We were happy to connect with local business owners and discuss economic development in our great Borough.

Congratulations to our new NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban on his appointment and making history as our city’s first Latino Police Commissioner!

Public safety is a top priority for us in the Bronx and I look forward to working with Commissioner Caban to ensure we keep our residents safe.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Bronx Chamber of Commerce - Business Networking's Hottest Summer BBQ of the Season

 

Join Bronx Chamber members, elected officials, and friends for a Summer evening of networking, great food & drinks, and conversation. The evening includes live music, barbeque, dancing, and networking.

Individuals wishing to golf before hand must contact Pelham Bay and Split Rock Golf Course directly.

Reserve Your Spot - Click Here

Governor Hochul Announces New Executive Action on Housing Crisis to Increase Supply, Create Affordable Housing, and Promote Broader Housing Growth

 

Creates Program to Advance Projects in the Gowanus Rezoning Area Halted by the Expiration of 421-A, Unlocking Thousands of Units of Housing, Including Affordable Housing

Signs Executive Order Establishing Preference for Certified Pro-Housing Communities in Accessing $650 Million in Discretionary Funding

Establishes Requirement That All State Entities Review State-Owned Sites for Potential Housing; Announces Open Requests for Proposals at Two State-Owned Sites That Could Potentially Yield Hundreds of Housing Units

Highlights Initiatives Aimed at Addressing Regulatory Hurdles to Housing Production

Launches Beta Version of Housing Data Dashboard to Share Currently Available Housing Data, Help State and Local Governments Identify Challenges and Track Progress on Housing Growth – Available Here

Builds on FY 2024 Budget Investments in Housing and Governor’s Ongoing Commitment to Making New York More Affordable

  Governor Kathy Hochul today announced several executive actions to promote housing growth as part of her ongoing commitment to addressing New York’s housing crisis, largely driven by a severe housing shortage. The actions include a program to advance residential projects halted by the expiration of 421-A that include affordable housing in the Gowanus neighborhood in Brooklyn; an executive order establishing preference in certain discretionary funding programs for localities across the state that comply with a new “Pro-Housing Community” certification process; a new requirement that all State entities identify the potential for their state-owned lands to support housing; recent and forthcoming regulatory initiatives to identify opportunities for greater efficiencies to promote housing growth; and the launch of the beta version of a new, interactive portal to collect and share community-level housing and zoning data and information on an ongoing basis.

The Governor remains committed to developing creative solutions in partnership with the Legislature to help New Yorkers find and keep a decent home that they can afford. These actions build on investments secured by Governor Hochul in the FY 2024 Budget to make the state more livable and affordable for all New Yorkers.

"New York's housing crisis isn't going away, and I'm committed to doing everything in my power to make New York more affordable and livable for all," Governor Hochul said. "These executive actions are an important first step to expand our housing supply and promote housing growth. But make no mistake: to fully address the scope of this crisis, we need action from the legislature — and I'm committed to continuing our work on housing in the coming months."

Facilitating Development of Housing, Including Affordable Housing, Through Gowanus Program

The Governor announced a program aimed at targeting specific benefits and housing obligations in line with the former 421-a(16) program for development proposals currently vested in the expired program in the Gowanus neighborhood in Brooklyn. Proposals would respond to a request for applications administered by Empire State Development. For eligible proposals, Empire State Development would purchase the privately owned properties for a nominal fee, lease the property back to the original owners for a long-term lease term that would parallel the 421-a(16) benefit period, and deed the property back to the original owner at the conclusion of the benefit period. In exchange, the property owner would make payments equivalent to the reduced taxes the property would have paid if it were to complete construction prior to the expired 421-a(16) program completion deadline of June 15, 2026.

Proposals would need to comply with affordability, labor, and other requirements similar to those of the 421-a(16) program and meet certain eligibility criteria, including but not limited to:

• Located in the Gowanus rezoning area;
• Currently vested in expired 421-a(16) program;
• Building capacity of at least 50 housing units;
• Contains affordable housing in compliance with 421-a(16), however participation will require affordable housing units to remain permanently affordable;
• Full entitlement under City zoning and applicable regulatory codes; and
• Ability to comply with Empire State Development’s Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises contracting requirements.

This program will be presented for approval to the Empire State Development Directors later this week. Each proposal would be subject to a public review process that would include Empire State Development board and Public Authorities Control Board approvals.

In 2021, the New York City Council passed an expansive rezoning covering 82 blocks in Gowanus to build the neighborhood’s capacity to accommodate housing growth. This program represents an important first step to saving housing at risk following the expiration of 421-a by allowing several existing residential proposals in Gowanus that are currently vested in 421-a(16) to move forward, unlocking thousands of units of housing, including affordable housing.

Prioritizing Pro-Housing Communities for Certain Discretionary Funds

The Governor also signed an executive order designating certain discretionary funds as “Pro-Housing Community Programs” to recognize and reward municipalities that actively seek to participate in unlocking their housing potential. The programs will prioritize funding based on a new certification process that will be developed and overseen by Homes and Community Renewal and will be based on factors assessing localities’ success in and commitment to identifying impediments to and promoting housing growth. These factors will include whether localities have committed to taking important steps to support housing, such as streamlining permitting and adopting pro-housing policies, and whether they have submitted critical housing and zoning data to the state to help identify challenges to and track progress on housing growth. Communities that additionally meet annual housing growth targets of one percent downstate and one-third of a percent upstate will receive top prioritization.

To support communities that receive this certification, the Governor’s executive order requires the prioritization of those municipalities who have been certified as Pro-Housing over those that have not in applications for specific discretionary funding programs. Per the order, the following state funding initiatives, totaling more than $650 million, will give special consideration to Pro-Housing Communities by giving their applications additional weight:

• Downtown Revitalization Initiative, administered by the Department of State;
• NY Forward, administered by the Department of State;
• Regional Council Capital Fund, administrated by Empire State Development;
• New York Main Street, administered by New York State Homes and Community Renewal;
• Market New York capital grants, administered by Empire State Development;
• Long Island Investment Fund, administered by Empire State Development;
• Mid-Hudson Momentum Fund, administered by Empire State Development; and
• Public Transportation Modernization Enhancement Program, administrated by the Department of Transportation

In addition, the executive order directs New York State agencies, public authorities, public benefit corporations, and related State entities to take into account the goal of creating additional housing in all policy and programmatic decisions.

Attorney General James Reaches Agreement to Address Discrimination, Bullying, and Harassment in Mamaroneck Schools

 

OAG Found Mamaroneck UFSD Inadequately Responded to Harassment, Bullying, and Discrimination against Students in Violation of Title VI and Title IX

Mamaroneck UFSD to Make Substantial Policy Changes, Provide Student Counseling, and Report Bullying to OAG 

New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced an agreement with the Mamaroneck Union Free School District (Mamaroneck UFSD) over its failure to respond to instances of race- and gender-based bullying and harassment against students in schools. The settlement resolves the Office of the Attorney General's (OAG) investigation, which began in June 2020 following allegations from students and parents that administrators had failed to adequately address confirmed instances of race- and gender-based bullying and harassment. The complaints alleged that the Mamaroneck UFSD’s lack of action led to students being repeatedly degraded and discriminated against by their classmates for months across various schools within the district. The severity of the harassment interfered with students’ ability to learn, socialize, and feel safe within their schooling environment. Through the settlement announced today, Mamaroneck UFSD agrees to implement substantial policy changes, provide student counseling, and engage in data collection and reporting to OAG for its responses to future instances of bullying, harassment, and discrimination.

“With this agreement, the Mamaroneck Union Free School District has committed to take appropriate measures to meet its duty to children and their families and to protect students from bullying, harassment, and discrimination,” said Attorney General James. “My office will continue to do everything in its power to ensure that every child feels safe and respected in the classroom.”

Federal law guarantees all students the right to a public education, and it provides that they shall not be deprived of this most basic right on the basis of race or sex. Title VI and Title IX specifically require schools take steps to protect students from race- and gender-based misconduct. Further, New York’s Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) requires public schools to provide a safe and supportive environment free from discrimination, harassment, and bullying. DASA requires schools to investigate and respond to instances of bullying with measures reasonably calculated to end the behavior creating a hostile environment for a student.

The OAG’s investigation concluded that Mamaroneck UFSD’s failure to address student bullying and harassment constituted a violation of Title VI and Title IX. Black students and other students of color were regularly the targets of racial epithets and sexually offensive harassment. The OAG found that Mamaroneck UFSD, despite promptly investigating these incidents, failed to engage in necessary responses to limit this behavior in the future. Consequently, the inconsistent and ineffective approaches to the misconduct led to students continuing to be subjected to harassment and bullying from their peers. Students who were victims of this behavior experienced physical, mental, and emotional suffering that interfered with their ability to participate in social and educational activities within the classroom.

The Mamaroneck UFSD has agreed to comply with robust reforms to improve its response to future instances of race- and gender-based bullying, harassment, and discrimination, including but not limited to:

• Revising Mamaroneck UFSD’s harassment policies to ensure prompt and effective responses to misconduct;
• Punishing retaliatory attacks from offenders following a report from a victim;
• Providing written reports for each student complaint involving bullying, harassment, or discrimination; and
• Providing school-based counseling services for at-risk students affected by such misconduct.

The Mamaroneck UFSD will also cooperate with OAG to ensure compliance with the aforementioned measures and will provide written summary reports to OAG of bullying and harassment incidents to confirm their policies are in accordance with the district’s Equity Work Plan.

This settlement concludes OAG’s first investigation related to allegations of student-on-student race-based bullying and harassment. The OAG remains committed to ensuring that the rights of students are not violated or infringed on school grounds. The OAG encourages New Yorkers with information regarding misconduct within their school districts to please contact OAG’s Civil Rights Bureau.