Mott Haven to gain 167 affordable housing units

Mott Haven to gain 167 affordable housing units|Mott Haven to gain 167 affordable housing units
Courtesy of NYC Department of Housing Preservation & Development|Courtesy of Magnusson Architecture and Planning

Plans for a large affordable housing development have been set in motion for 869 E. 147th Street in Mott Haven.

NYC officials joined with Radson Development partners on Friday, August 16, for a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the start of construction of Martin Luther King Plaza.

“Through the 167 affordable homes that will rise on this site, including 67 that will be permanently affordable, MLK Plaza is helping to shape a stronger, more diverse neighborhood for future generations,” said Eric Enderlin, president of NYC Housing Development Corporation, in a news release.

The city is always looking to expand its tools to create more lasting affordability for New York City’s neighborhoods, according to Maria Torres-Springer, commissioner NYC Housing Preservation and Development.

“Through the city’s new Mandatory Inclusionary Housing program and HPD’s OurSpace program, 67 of the 167 homes at Martin Luther King Plaza will be permanently affordable, including 33 homes for formerly homeless New Yorkers,” Torres-Springer said.

The creation of new affordable housing units is helping to drive the ongoing positive transformation of the Bronx, according to Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

“MLK PLaza will bring much needed affordable units to Mott Haven, and I was proud to have provided this project with $500,000 in funding from my own capital budget,” Diaz said.

Access to affordable housing is the most daunting challenge Bronx residents face, according to Congressman Jose E. Serrano.

“At MLK Plaza, hundreds of low- and middle-income Bronx families and individuals, including formerly homeless people, will now have access to quality affordable rental housing units with community and green spaces,” Serrano said. “With this building, we are also honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by making sure the socially disadvantaged have access to one of the most basic necessities, a place to call home.”

The development of this site was made possible following approval of a rezoning through the city’s Uniform Land Use Review Procedure by the Department of City Planning, in coordination with Radson Development, Mark-Viverito, Diaz, and Community Board 1, according to the release.

“Radson Development is proud to bring this beautifully designed building to the Mott Haven neighborhood,” said Dan Rad, principal, Radson Development.

“This building will be the cornerstone of inclusive transformation of this community,” Rad said. “Our ample on-site amenities and mix of affordable units will serve New Yorkers at a variety of income levels.”

Apartments at MLK Plaza will serve households of a wide range of incomes including very low-, low-, and moderate-income families.

The unit mix will include 25 studios, 57 one-bedrooms, 60 two-bedrooms, 24 three-bedroom units, and one two-bedroom unit for the superintendent and a 722 square foot community room and a green roof.

Reach Reporter Bob Guiliano at (718) 260-4599. E-mail him at bguiliano@cnglocal.com.
Architect’s rendering of planned Martin Luther King Plaza at 869 E. 147th Street in Mott Haven.
Courtesy of Magnusson Architecture and Planning