| Special Permit for Grand Central Public Realm Improvement Bonus |
The permit would allow density increases, up to a maximum on-site density of 30.0 FAR, in the Vanderbilt Corridor through the provision of infrastructure improvements in the Grand Central Subdistrict that improve public circulation. These improvements could be located both on-site and off-site and at-grade or below-grade. The amount of the floor area granted would be subject to discretionary review and dependent on the public benefit derived from the improvements proposed as part of each project. Similar to the existing subway improvement special permit, the proposal would require the construction of these improvements by the developer. This proven zoning mechanism is considered to provide certainty that the improvements would be implemented in accordance with a schedule established for their construction.
In addition, applicants for the new special permit would be required to meet findings regarding the proposed building’s ground floor level, proposed massing and energy performance. These provisions are intended to ensure the overall building plan and distribution of bulk and overall density is appropriate to the surrounding area. Finally, through the special permit, certain existing bulk and urban design requirements (such as streetwalls) could be modified subject to further findings, in order to develop the proposed building. The special permit would be available to new developments, as well as to enlargements of existing buildings.
Given the comparably small sizes of the blocks in the Vanderbilt Corridor, buildings at the maximum permitted density would still, on a square footage basis, be smaller than most recent major office buildings constructed in the City. This includes One World Trade Center, 4 World Trade Center, 7 World Trade Center, One Bryant Park, 200 West Street, Hudson Yards and many of the office towers constructed around Times Square. |
| Modification of the Existing Grand Central Subdistrict Landmark Transfer Special Permit |
| The existing special permit in the Grand Central Subdistrict would be modified to increase the maximum permitted FAR on a development site in the Vanderbilt Corridor from 21.6 FAR to 30.0 FAR through the landmark transfer. In addition, in order to facilitate landmark transfers within the Vanderbilt Corridor, the proposal would remove the existing special permit requirement that each transfer proposal include a major improvement to the transit and public realm network. Instead, and similar to the underlying 74-79 landmark transfer special permit, the inclusion of such improvements would only be at the CPCs discretion. Sites surpassing the current 21.6 FAR limit would be required to follow the findings in the Grand Central Public Realm Improvement Bonus special permit regarding the proposed building’s ground floor level, proposed massing and energy performance in order to also ensure that developments at these densities provide an overall building plan and distribution of bulk appropriate to the surrounding area. |
| Permitted Uses |
In order to ensure the development of full-service hotels that would support the overall East Midtown business district, development, conversion, or enlargement of hotels in the Vanderbilt Corridor would be restricted and only permitted via a new special permit. The findings for the permit would be focused on ensuring the proposed hotel would be incorporating services and facilities that would be complementary to office uses in the surrounding area. |
| Proposed City Map Change |
DCP is also proposing an amendment to the City Map to change the designation of the block of Vanderbilt Avenue between East 42nd and East 43rd Streets from street to “public place.” This designation would allow for the permanent improvement of this approximately 12,820-square-foot area into a public space that would provide significant benefits to workers, commuters and visitors to the surrounding area. The City, under the jurisdiction of the New York City Department of Transportation (NYCDOT), would own this public place. |
