NYC issues modular construction RFP in East NY, but building would be far smaller than 461 Dean

Photo: HPD, via Crain's

City issues first affordable housing RFP requiring modular construction, reported The Real Deal 5/24/18 regarding a city-owned parking lot in East New York. It's part of a new city push for mid-rise (not high-rise) affordable modular construction, avoiding the potential hazards that emerged from Bruce Ratner's grand plans.

Indeed, on 3/1/2018, the city's Department of Housing Preservation and Development issued a Request for Expressions of Interest regarding a modular construction pilot program, especially regarding "market participants knowledgeable about mid-rise plus (4+ story) multifamily, supportive, and senior housing development."

“The Grant Avenue RFP will be key to developing our understanding of how modular housing can work for the New York market," said Deputy Mayor Alicia Glen, in a statement reported by the Real Deal.  The site, at 581 Grant Avenue, is on the corner of Pitkin and Grant Avenue, adjacent to the Grant Avenue A train subway station.

No comparison to 461 Dean

Note that HPD says the site could house between 62 to 100 apartments, which is a far smaller building than the 363-unit 461 Dean, part of Atlantic Yards/Pacific Park, the world's tallest modular building. 461 Dean is 32 stories, and 359 feet with mechanicals.

According to community input gathered by HPD and a community visioning report, 31% of those surveyed preferred the Grant Avenue building not as tall (4-6 stories) at the expense of reducing the number of affordable apartments built, while 68% preferred to maximize the number of affordable apartments on the site, even if it means a taller building (7+ stories).

One comment cited noted that that those boundaries were very open ended: "8 stories, for ex, is not much more than 6, and if it could add additional affordable units, may be worth it. I don’t think it should be more than 8 stories. There are no buildings higher than five stories (a school) or four stories (a mosque) in the area. This area has two story attached and semi-attached homes. A large building would be out of place in this neighborhood."