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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR- 430-09
September 30, 2009

STATEMENT OF MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG ON TODAY'S ADOPTION OF REZONING PLANS FOR THE BRONX CIVIC CENTER AND SUNSET PARK

Spurring Economic Development and Revitalizing Neighborhoods throughout New York City is Part of the Bloomberg Administration's Five Borough Economic Opportunity Plan

"The rezoning of key stretches along 161st Street and River Avenue approved by the City Council today will mean new affordable housing, office buildings, jobs, and a greater variety of local retail in the civic center of the Bronx. Building on recent public and private investments including the new Yankee Stadium, the new Gateway Center and the Melrose Commons housing developments, the 161st Street/River Avenue rezoning will provide for more than 550,000 square feet of commercial office space, over 113,000 square feet of new retail and some 900 units of housing.

"By encouraging the redevelopment of underutilized lots in the Bronx civic center, we expect to generate more than 1,300 permanent office and retail jobs while promoting new mixed income housing, office buildings and year round retail activity in an area with excellent mass transit access.  Facilitating investment and growth on these important commercial and civic corridors and providing incentives for the creation or preservation of affordable housing will strengthen the civic center area and help achieve the vision developed with the community and elected officials as part of our South Bronx Initiative.

"The rezoning of Sunset Park in Brooklyn will preserve neighborhood character and scale by placing height limits throughout the area, while allowing for modest new development where appropriate at a height and scale that is in keeping with the existing context. The rezoning provides for opportunities and incentives for affordable housing through inclusionary zoning, and will support local retail corridors while protecting the residential character of nearby side streets. I commend the Council for approving both of these important rezoning plans."







MEDIA CONTACT:


Stu Loeser/Andrew Brent   (212) 788-2958




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