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Planning to Boost 4th Ave Commercial Use?

A couple folks have let us know that the Department of City Planning is looking into measures that would encourage ground-floor business uses on 4th Avenue. The 2003 rezoning that paved the way for the thoroughfare’s many new residential builds has been criticized again and again and again for resulting in a bunch of projects…

4thave42011.JPG
by Gabby
05/02/2011 10

4thave42011.JPG
A couple folks have let us know that the Department of City Planning is looking into measures that would encourage ground-floor business uses on 4th Avenue. The 2003 rezoning that paved the way for the thoroughfare’s many new residential builds has been criticized again and again and again for resulting in a bunch of projects that leave much to be desired at street level. City Planning has confirmed that the department is examining changes to the zoning—”in response to requests from the local community and elected officials, the Department has been studying zoning tools that would encourage more pedestrian-friendly, commercial uses as Fourth Avenue emerges as a growing residential and commercial thoroughfare”—though there’s no time frame on when the study will be complete or further specifics at the moment.
4th Avenue’s Walls of Voodoo [Brownstoner]
How the Argyle Greets 4th Avenue [Brownstoner]
4th Avenue, the Boulevard of Broken Promises? [Brownstoner]

Uncategorized 4th Avenue 4th Avenue

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  1. aj I’m pretty sure I’m correct at least north of 9th Street on the original bunch of buildings, iow, the 2003 zoning that sparked all this development. If I am wrong, hell, pls explain the proliferation of medical offices!

  2. Denton,

    I’m not sure that is correct. I do not remember any community facility bump (if fact the FAR bonus was removed on the lower ZR in the area) at least in the South Slope/Greenwood Heights rezoning in 2005. The earlier 2003 rezoning my not have had that provision, but I’m less familiar and I know some changes were made in 2005.

    Anything to have incentive for commercial components has to be a key moving fwd.

  3. Yes snark, if I recall the nimbys demanded ‘community service’ use for these spaces. The city didn’t require this but gave add’l development bonus if developer incorporated them into the buildings. Now the nimbys are gone but the rest of the nabe has to live with the result.

  5. tybur6 – not sure that it is related to the parking requirements, since such requirements exist all over NYC and the same result doesnt occur – although frankly only 2 buildings actually have parking on the 1st floor anyway.

    Plant the medians, and sidewalk trees….within 1yr retail will follow.

  6. Yes to DCP fail. They should have been much more pro-active from the start and stopped developers putting MRI clinics and HVAC systems on the ground floors of these new buildings. Now the horse has bolted.

  7. “Oh for Burden’s sake. By the time they finish “studying” how they cocked up the rezoning the first time around, all of the available development sites will be built up. DCP fail.”

    Agreed, 100%

  8. Oh for Burden’s sake. By the time they finish “studying” how they cocked up the rezoning the first time around, all of the available development sites will be built up. DCP fail.

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    4th-new-rezone-06-2008.JPG
    by Gabby
    06/17/2008 21

    4th-new-rezone-06-2008.JPG
    The rezoning that put the wheels in motion for the development of Brooklyn’s Park Avenue four years ago covered most of 4th Avenue between President and 15th streets, allowing for the construction of 12-story residential buildings on the thoroughfare. What was left out of that rezoning is now set to join the higher-rise party. One of the areas covered by the Department of City Planning’s draft rezoning proposal for Gowanus is the west side of 4th Avenue between 1st and Douglass streets. Under the proposal, the seven blocks’ zoning will be changed from manufacturing, thus allowing for the construction of 12-story residential structures. One big difference from the ’03 rezoning that gave us the 4th Avenue we have today: The new law of the land will require developers to have a active ground floor uses for a percentage of frontage on 4th Avenue. Click through for a map detailing the planned changes.
    Gowanus Canal Corridor Framework [nyc.gov]
    4th Avenue, the Boulevard of Broken Promises? [Brownstoner] (more…)

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    1. 4th Ave is ugly, was ugly and will always be ugly.
      Not every major roadway has to have high rise condos along side it.

      I couldn’t even imagine being that stupid as to buy a condo on 4th Ave. Just standing there and listening to all that traffic, is exactly what you will hear in your apartment, unless of course they are those people that never open a window…..

    2. 3:29 what are you talking about – 4th Ave is not suburban and to lump those two density styles together is moronic. 4th Ave was layed out well before the nation took any path in the automobile age.

      In reality the upzoning of a wide throughofare with mass transit underneath (and potential for more on surface as well as below) is EXACTLY the path this country should be on if it wants to deal with global warming, habitat destruction and sustainable societies.

      There are 300M people in this country – and given the retirement benefits promised we are going to need alot more – the only sustainable way to develop is with density –

    3. 2:38 – the fabric of the American urban/suburban landscape has serious issues. We took the wrong path as a nation at the dawn of the automobile age. Our attitudes and our relationship with nature/the built environment need a major overhaul. We need a new paradigm and the 4th development du joir is not the answer. I’m so very saddened by what our society has become.

    4. 12:33, what’s unsustainable here? I’d like to see more infrastructure planning, but Jeez Louise, a little perspective–I’m delighted this means more people living a sustainable life in a walkable city rather than burning up resources in the burbs.

    5. I live off of 4th ave and am all for the development happening now, but damn, the buildings are ugly. Didn’t DUMBO prove that building good-looking buildings and indulging on a decent architect pay off in the end?

    7. Enough with the negativity. It will definitely take some time to transform this area but we need to start somewhere – otherwise this area will still be a wasteland 50 years from now. I also think the density level is appropriate and sustainable considering the subway and transit connections in the area. We need to provide for future growth in NYC – especially if rising gas prices trigger a population movement into cities from suburbs.

    8. 1:23 – there has been some great progress in modular home design and construction in Japan and the Netherlands with stunning looks, efficient layouts and maximized space planning. They’ve been used as infill and in sustainable communities. That makes me happy. Unfortunately nothing in NYC is making me happy.

    9. I’d rather run myself over with a lawn mower than live in that cesspool. Good luck to the developers. Let’s check back in 50 years because I think it will take that long for the transformation.

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