Mark Stagg, president of Stagg Development, the developer of 1680 Pelham Parkway South, has responded to allegations Community Board 11 made regarding the builder’s unwilllingness to interact with the board.
In a previous Bronx Times article, members of CB 11 stated they met with Stagg and former Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion in September 2014.
Stagg and Carrion had requested a meeting to ask the board for help with the removal of Army veteran Garland Roberts, a squatter, from the Pelham Parkway property.
CB 11 11 member Vinny Prezioso said that after the first meeting, members of the board asked Stagg and Carrion to meet again with detailed plans of the project Stagg Development was planning to build on the property.
According to Prezioso, the developer and former borough president had only presented renderings of the new apartments.
Stagg told the Bronx Times he never received a request to to meet with CB 11 again.
“We were never asked to come back,” said Stagg.
Councilman James Vacca, who hosted the first meeting between the two sides, said he tried several times to schedule follow up meetings.
However, Vacca said Stagg Development was not able to make any of the meetings.
Stagg said if he had been asked to come back he and his team would have certainly returned.
In addition to addressing the meeting misunderstanding, the developer was eager to discuss the apartments that are going up on the parkway.
Stagg said the location, whick is in close proximity to Einstein/Montefiore Hospital and the 911 Call Center, was the ideal location for luxury rentals.
Stagg said housing in that area could help in “taking cars off the road” because people would be living close to their jobs.
The developer also touted the building’s amenities which include underground parking, a rooftop terrace and a fitness room.
The seven-floor, 129-unit building will be called ‘The Equestrian.’
Stagg said the company wants “to keep the history” of the location, which housed a horse stable.
Before construction began on 1680 Pelham Parkway South, the property was owned by Buster Marengo.
Marengo operated Cy’s Pelham Parkway Riding Academy.
Eventually, Marengo had issues paying taxes and the property went into foreclosure.
“We know that spot is near and dear to many people’s hearts just from a geographical perspective,” said Stagg. “We want to keep that history alive in some small way.”
Prezioso said there were some concerns about traffic at the location because The Equestrian is on a dead end street.
Stagg said traffic concerns have been addressed.
According to the developer, in addition to underground parking there will be on-site above ground parking available.
Stagg said the company has already received 250 inquiries for the apartments.
The units are scheduled to be available in early 2017.
