A recently completed mixed-use project across the street from New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) in Bedford Park includes nearly 200 residential units, a supermarket, and a free NYBG membership for its residents.
The $91 million mixed-use development, located at 2850 Webster Ave., consists of 188 apartment units, reserved for New Yorkers aged 62 and older, as well as a Cherry Valley Marketplace, a New York grocery store chain that already has two other locations in the borough.
The 12-story development is comprised of 151 studio apartments and 36 one-bedroom units, affordable to households earning up to 60 of the Area Median Income, also known as AMI.
Approximately 57 of these units are reserved for individuals who previously experienced homelessness.
In August 2023, there were more than 86,000 homeless people, including nearly 30,000 children who slept in the city’s main municipal shelter system, according to the Coalition for the Homeless.
Additionally, single adults and families with children spent an average of more than 400 days in the city Department of Homeless Services shelter system, while adults families spent on average more than two years living in shelters in the city’s fiscal year 2023.
Constructed by Douglaston Development, the completion of 2850 Webster Ave. is the first part of a two-phase development plan on Botanical Garden-owned lots.
The second phase of the plan includes another mixed-use development with 258 residential units for low-income households along with an additional 8,000 square feet of grocery space on the ground floor of the building.
Amenities at the Webster Avenue development include an on-site laundry room, a fitness room, bike storage and outdoor space on both the second floor and the rooftop of the building.
In addition, all of the building’s residents will receive a free complimentary membership to the nearby NYBG.
According to an NYBG spokesperson, the free memberships will automatically be renewed each year, as long as the person remains a resident of the development. NYBG said that it is their mission to connect people to the healthful benefits of nature.
“These are low-income seniors in their new, affordable homes — and we wanted them to feel welcome in our shared Bronx neighborhood,” the spokesperson said.
The NYBG memberships will also be available to residents who occupy the second building, when completed.
“With more than 40 percent of seniors in the Bronx being rent-burdened, the importance of affordable senior housing like 2856 Webster Ave. cannot be overstated,” said NYBG CEO Jennifer Bernstein. “We are proud to help address this citywide need.”
Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the completion of the Webster Avenue development at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sept. 26.
“As we work to increase New York’s housing supply, it is critical that we invest in housing that allows seniors to live independently with access to the life-enhancing resources and amenities they need to thrive,” Hochul said.
According to Hochul, providing residents support services, sustainable features and access to green space improves outcomes and helps people flourish.
“As the cost of living increases in our city, so has the need for affordable and supportive housing in our borough,” said Borough President Vanessa Gibson, who highlighted Hochul’s continued commitment to increasing affordable housing in her remarks, particularly for the city’s senior population.
“This project will ensure that Bronxites have affordable, quality and safe housing needed to age in place and with dignity,” Gibson added.
The project goes hand in hand with Hochul’s goal to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes across New York, a $25 billion housing plan that didn’t make it into this year’s state budget, however.
“This development not only addresses the dire need for more housing stock in our city but will also improve the lives of our seniors,” said U.S. Rep. Ritchie Torres. “As someone who was raised in public housing, there is no higher priority for me than making sure people in our community, particularly our seniors, have safe and quality affordable housing.”
The $91 million development includes $33.6 million in low-income housing tax credits, $32.1 million in tax-exempt bond financing and $6.6 million in subsidy through state financing.
The NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) also provided $14 million through the Senior Affordable Rental Apartments Program.
The building is also designed with features that promote HPD’s Aging In Place initiative, such as grab bars in bathrooms, roll-in showers and lower counter heights.
“I’m proud to welcome almost 200 seniors to their new homes within (this) district, said local Council Member Oswald Feliz, who represents the 15th Council District, which includes Bedford Park. “Our senior citizens stand at the forefront of New York City’s affordable housing crisis despite having dedicated countless years in service to their communities and families,”
According to Assembly Member George Alvarez of the 78th Assembly District, which includes the neighborhood of Kingsbridge Heights, along with portions of Bedford Park, Belmont and Fordham, the completion of the Webster Avenue project is a bold example of state, local and community partnerships working together for the betterment of the community.
“Housing is a human right and, as such, my top legislative priority is working tirelessly to generate and invest in more affordable housing in my district and throughout the Bronx,” Alvarez said.
Reach Steven Goodstein at sgoodstein@schnepsmedia.com or (718) 260-4561. For more coverage, follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @bronxtimes
