Apartments Atop Manhattan Subway Station Moves Closer To Reality

HARLEM, NY — A plan to build 684 new apartments on top of the new 125th Street Q train terminal in East Harlem inched closer to reality with Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine's approval, he told Patch Wednesday.

Levine, following in the footsteps of Community Board 11, approved of the plan to build a housing development at 125th Street and Lexington Avenue on Aug. 8. The plan has been going through the city's mandatory public review process since May.

However, like the Community Board's approval, Levine's approval comes with several conditions.

Of the 684 new apartment units, the MTA's original plan includes 171 units reserved for affordable housing in the building, which could rise up to 535 feet over the intersection in one version of the blueprint.

Both Levine and Community Board 11 asked the MTA to change its Request for Proposals to increase the number of affordable units required.

Levine also asked the MTA to require that at least 75 percent of the affordable units have two bedrooms or more, in order to cater to families.

Both Levine and Community Board 11 also ask that the MTA require developers to make commitments to hire locally through workforce development organizations, and let the community have an early review of the design of the building, once it is drawn up.

"This project is a rare chance to meet two of our city’s urgent needs at once: building housing and advancing Phase 2 of the Second Avenue Subway," Levine told Patch.

"By using a publicly owned, transit-rich site and the new high-density zoning under City of Yes, we can deliver nearly 700 new homes, including affordable units, while taking a major step toward long-promised transit equity for East Harlem."

With Levine's vote, the New York City Department of City Planning will have 60 days to hold a public hearing and then make its recommendations to City Council, where it will be voted on within 50 days. From there, the mayor can authorize or veto the vote.

For questions and tips, email Miranda.Levingston@Patch.com.