The governor announced a request for proposals Friday morning to build a mixed-use project at 621 W. 45th St., a roughly 51,000 square-foot parcel along 12th Avenue near the Intrepid Museum and Hudson River waterfront. At least 25% of the residential units would need to be affordable housing, and the project should include commercial and community space as well.
The request is extremely broad overall and should provide interested developers with a large amount of flexibility around building plans. It does not specify what the ideal height, size or number of residential units would be, apart from saying that 18 is the maximum floor-area ratio, a measure that determines how dense a building can be. Everything else will be based on individual submissions and designs, according to the Hochul administration.
Projects must also preserve the parking and pedestrian bridge access rights the Intrepid Museum has on the site. The parking agreement permits the museum to use a maximum of 14 bus-size spots for school trips and other tours and special events.
„ The request for proposal says that plans should include at least 25% affordable housing units within residential and commercial spaces that mirror the local character. Additionally, community spaces designed to foster social interactions among residents and visitors should be part of any plan submitted, while also maintaining bus parking for the museum and ensuring continued access to the adjacent Hudson River Park via the pedestrian bridge.
Local Congressman Jerry Nadler commented on the project’s significance, expressing enthusiasm for its potential community impact. “It is no secret that New Yorkers are facing a housing crisis, and the transformation of a state-owned surface level parking lot on 12th Avenue across from the Intrepid into a mix of residential and commercial development with at least 25% affordable is a win for the entire City. This Hell’s Kitchen property is one of the largest undeveloped parcels on the far west side and its transformation will create a vibrant mixed-use development while also ensuring that the Intrepid retains its needed parking and access for them and the community to the Hudson River Park with pedestrian bridge access,” said Nadler.“
