NYC unveils plan to develop 570 affordable homes on Inwood parking lot
All images courtesy of the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development
New York City is moving forward with an ambitious plan to advance two dozen affordable housing projects on public land this year. The city’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) on Monday began the public outreach process for the redevelopment of an unused city-owned parking lot in Inwood with roughly 570 affordable homes, public green space, and a STEM facility. The Inwood Waterfront project falls under Mayor Eric Adams’ “24 in 24” plan, which pushes for 24 affordable housing developments on 24 publicly-owned sites to ultimately create or preserve more than 12,000 housing units.
In his State of the City address last week, Adams unveiled several proposals addressing NYC’s ongoing housing crisis, including the “24 in 24” plan. As City Hall officials told the New York Post, some sites slated for affordable housing include 388 Hudson Street in Greenwich Village, the Hunters Point South Parcel E in Long Island City, and the Inwood parking lot.
Located at 4095 9th Avenue between 220th and 218th Streets, the lot measures more than one acre in size along a stretch of the Harlem River waterfront. The site was acquired by the city through a land exchange with Charter Communications.
The city aims to build 570 apartments, a STEM-focused community facility, and public greenspace on the waterfront.
“Our ’24 in 24′ plan to create and preserve affordable housing on 24 publicly-owned sites is another example of how we’re doing everything within our control to deliver housing and relief to New Yorkers when they need it most,” Adams said. “Investments like the Inwood Waterfront project, once again, deliver on the vision we laid out to protect public safety, rebuild our economy, and make this city more livable for working-class New Yorkers.”
The proposal falls under the Inwood NYC Action Plan, a rezoning of 59 blocks in Inwood that was approved by the City Council in 2018. The plan includes the creation of 1,600 affordable homes, new waterfront parks, and a new library with community space.
Starting this week, the city is hosting public outreach events to gain input from community members on the Inwood project. Participants can fill out a questionnaire on their vision for the site, including their preferred type of housing, its architectural and landscape design, use of open space, provided services, and community amenities.
HPD said it will work with residents to shape the project. In addition to the questionnaire, the agency will hold in-person community workshops, local tabling events, and meetings with the community board and stakeholders.
The community engagement process will conclude with the release of a Community Visioning Report detailing local priorities for the project. HPD will then release a request for proposals (RFP) for the site, asking developers to respond with the goals of the report in mind.
“The Inwood Waterfront project is a prime example of this administration’s commitment to meaningful community engagement as we spur housing and jobs across the five boroughs,” Maria Torres-Springer, Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development and Workforce, said.
“This project is an exciting opportunity to transform an unused parking lot into affordable homes, waterfront green space, and a STEM facility, and we look forward to working with residents to ensure the project reflects the needs and aspirations of the Inwood community.”
The city will be at the Inwood Public Library on Thursday, February 1 between 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. to provide more information on the project and answer questions from the community.
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