135 Units of Affordable Housing Planned for the Coney Island Boardwalk

In 2009, former Mayor Bloomberg rezoned the Coney Island waterfront to accommodate new residential and commercial development. While the city has moved ahead to build more amusement park rides at this popular summer destination, there hasn’t been an explosion of new residential development since the rezoning.

But plans are moving ahead for a nine-story building designed to hold 135 affordable and supportive housing apartments right along the boardwalk. In April, developers Georgica Green Ventures and Concern for Independent Living filed plans for the new building at 2002 Surf Avenue, reports CityRealty.com. Called Surf Vets Plaza, the building will totally transform the corner of West 21st Street and Surf Avenue, which is now a 170,000-square-foot vacant lot.

The site fronts the historic Coney Island boardwalk–talk about a killer location. To blend into the boardwalk, which is lined with restaurants and shops, the development will include 7,000 square feet of retail and commercial space on its ground floor.

Above the ground floor commercial space, there will be 82 apartments reserved for homeless veterans and 52 for households earning below 60 percent of the area’s median income.

Here’s a look at the site plan showing how ambitious the project is. It’ll be comprised of several towers of various heights, with a street cut in between the development. Both buildings will be surrounded by landscaping and boast courtyards at the center.

An arial view shows how the towers will be configured. The height difference will allow many apartments to get a waterfront view. This development is going to be a huge part of the boardwalk once it opens–it’s located just next door to the Coney Island landmark Child’s Restaurant. At this point, it’s unclear when construction will start and for how long it will last.

[Via CityRealty.com]

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• COOKFOX’s Massive Affordable Housing Development Pushes Forward in the Bronx

Renderings by Stephen B. Jacobs Group