New York Governor Kathy Hochul has announced the start of construction on the third phase of the mixed-use Arverne East development in Far Rockaway, New York.
The $278m project will add 89 cooperative homeownership units and 229 affordable rental apartments, marking the largest residential section to date within the wider Arverne East redevelopment plan.
Named Building D, the new residential building is being constructed on a previously vacant oceanfront parcel affected by Superstorm Sandy.
This phase will introduce one, two and three-bedroom apartments to serve households of various sizes.
Of the cooperative units located in the East Wing of Building D, all will be priced for households earning up to 100% of the Area Median Income. This section will include five homes designed for mobility impairments and two for residents with sensory disabilities.
The West Wing will feature rental units available to households earning up to 90% of the Area Median Income. Some 35 rental units will serve eligible youth transitioning from foster care, with on-site support services provided by Camba.
According to a statement from the New York state government, the building will have 12 units for residents with mobility impairments and five for those with sensory disabilities.
In addition, Building D will feature outdoor terraces, a lounge, a playroom, a fitness centre, bicycle storage, superintendent units and community spaces.
Arverne East’s project team has incorporated several sustainability and resiliency strategies in response to the site’s flooding history.
The building will operate entirely on electricity, with no fossil fuels used, and a rooftop solar panel system will be installed. It will be constructed to meet Passive House standards, aiming for certification through Passive House Institute US.
The building will be connected to the Arverne East geothermal loop, which will provide energy for heating, cooling and hot water through ground-source heat pumps.
All ground-floor spaces, both residential and non-residential, will be located above the designated flood elevation, with main entrances and exits similarly elevated.
No residential units will be situated on the first floor, and all ground-level premises will include extensive floodproofing features to enable quick recovery after severe weather.
Governor Hochul said: “The latest phase of Arverne East will give more New Yorkers the opportunity to own affordable, sustainable and resilient homes.
“As we work to tackle the housing crisis impacting New York, we know that our only path forward is to build more housing, build it faster and more affordably. Arverne East is a perfect example of how we can accomplish those goals while also producing homes that can endure the test of time.”
Upon completion, the Arverne East project is expected to deliver 1,650 homes, of which approximately 80% will be “affordable”.
The overall development plan includes 270,000ft² of commercial space, 76,000ft² of community facilities, open space, retail units, restaurants and a planned aquatic centre.
L+M Development Partners, Triangle Equities, The Bluestone Organization, Mega Development and Urbane Development are leading the Building D development.
