OCV Architects

by Sara G. Levin

February 2006

Architect Richard Vitto (with glasses) Phipps Houses CEO Adam Weinstein presenting their plan to the CB 3 Housing Committee standing before two sets of blueprints, Principle Architect Richard Vitto and Phipps Houses CEO Adam Weinstein reassured attendees of the Community Board 3 Housing Committee meeting last month that upcoming building renovations will preserve the East 11th Street delicate infrastructure. At the end of the meeting, which attracted a smattering of local activists, the committee voted to support Phipps’ effort to build new homes for low-income residents.

The project, called Fabria Houses, involves renovating three abandoned buildings on 11th Street, between First Avenue and Avenue B, and constructing two new structures on empty lots on East 7th and 9th Streets. The units are expected to remain under a low-income lease for at least 99 years, according to Phipps’ agreement with the New York City Housing Authority.

Phipps Houses, a longstanding nonprofit developer, needed CB 3’s support to apply for New York State low-income housing tax credits, Weinstein said. The extra money, he explained, would enable all 67 apartments to be “affordable.” Without it, Phipps would go ahead with the project, but would sell 30% of the apartments at market rate.

“I view this as our chance to make more affordable housing available,” said Weinstein.

While income requirements vary depending on the admittance program set by NYCHA, Weinstein said he thought maximum income for a 2-bedroom apartment was approximately $32,000. Under his current agreement with NYCHA, the authority will fill 39 units with New Yorkers off its Section 8 waiting list. Ten will be given to families from the City’s homeless shelter system and the remaining will be distributed by lottery.

“Our community has felt a loss after the shutting down of these buildings, so I’m very happy to see that this element of our community be restored,” said Daniel Nauke, president of the East 11th Street block association. However, Nauke added that neighbors must insist that the buildings remain faithful to their intended use and do not cause structural damage to surrounding areas. He explained that a subterranean spring is running close to the surface on 11th Street, and careless digging could cause it to flood nearby basements. “We’re trying to stay away from any sub-surface damage,” said Vitto, who explained that the shells of the buildings will be remodeled, but remain intact. Floors will be gutted and redone to allow for new apartments—which will be small, around 750 sq. ft. for two bedrooms and 580 sq. ft. for one-bedrooms.

Susi Schropp from the Cooper Square Committee attended the meeting to make sure local organizations like hers can be involved in overseeing the lottery drawing process. She said it is important to make sure locals and former residents who were relocated get first consideration. In agreement with her was Damaris Reyes, director of Good Old Lower East Side.

Committee Chairman Sam Wilkenfeld presided ably over the meeting, which ended with a unanimous vote in favor of Phipps’ project.

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Posted on February 11, 2006 01:28 PM|Permalink

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