Permits have been filed for the construction of an 11-story mixed-use affordable housing development with 83 residential units on the vacant lot at 581 E. 161st St. in the Morrisania neighborhood of the Bronx.
The proposed building would be 111 feet tall. It would yield a total of 49,893 square feet of space, with 20,616 square feet dedicated to residential space and 29,277 square feet dedicated to community facility space. With an average unit scope of 248 square feet, the residences will most likely be rentals.
Some of the planned features of the property include two cellars and a rear yard stretching 31 feet in length. Among the nearby bus stops providing access to mass transportation are those for the Bx6, Bx6-SBS, Bx13, Bx15 and Bx21 lines.
Several schools are situated within close proximity to 581 E. 161st St. These include P.S. 140 The Eagle School, AECI 1 Charter Middle and High School, M.S. 301 Paul L. Dunbar, the Bronx campus of Boricua College, Legacy College Prep Charter High School and P.S. 146 Edward Collins. Other notable features in the area include the Dunbar Playground, O’Neill Triangle, Yolanda Garcia Park, the Flynn Playground and the Grove Hill Playground.
The building applications were submitted by Edward Poppiti of the nonprofit Housing Options and Geriatric Association Resources (HOGAR), Inc. This organization works to provide, foster and promote the highest quality of housing and services to the elderly, mentally ill adults, homeless individuals, adults with special needs and physically challenged individuals, all in an environment that is therapeutic, rehabilitative and aesthetically pleasing. The architect of record for this proposed project is listed as Anthony Shitemi of Urban Architectural Initiatives.
Since 581 E. 161st St. is currently just a vacant lot, demolition permits likely will not be needed. An estimated completion date for the new building’s construction has not yet been provided.
