HPD has issued a Request for Proposals to build affordable housing and possibly retail, commercial, community service, parking, and/or accessory open space on 185,000 square feet in the Melrose section of the Bronx. The Bronxchester site was once designated for Urban Renewal projects, but plans were delayed.
The Rent Guidelines Board 2013 Income and Affordability Study issued this week determined from Census data that the median gross rent to income ratio for rent stabilized tenants was 34.9 percent while it was 33.4 percent for unregulated tenants — not quite statistically significant by my calculations. Interestingly, the report also found that non-payment filings in Housing Court dropped 5.9 percent in 2012, to 208,000, the lowest level since at least 1983. At the same time, however, there was the highest number of evictions recorded: 28,743. It appears that while there are fewer cases, more are going to trial.
The City Water Board this morning is considering a 5.6% increase in water rates effective July 1st. A final vote will be held next month. Full details of the proposal will be posted online later today or Monday.
Retro Commissioning is coming and if your block and lot number ends in a 3 you should already have hired an auditor and retro commissioning agent. Whether or not you have, you should come to ABO’s Local Law 87 Seminar at BuildingsNY. It begins at 10:30 at the Javits Center and will explain what you need to do and how to make it pay off. Register for the show by clicking here and reserve your space at the seminar.
ABO, RAM and CHIP are also hosting a free cocktail reception for owners and managers only at 4 p.m. on the 24th. Sign up here or call our office for information. Vendors may only attend as sponsors. Contact R.J. Palermo at Reed Exhibitions for details.