Park Lake Development’s Post

Exciting Updates on the Moraga Canyon Housing Plan! Last week Andrew Watkins from JZMK Partners presented a new iteration of the Draft Moraga Canyon Specific Plan (MCSP) to Piedmont’s Planning Commission. The feedback? It’s moving in the right direction! The plan proposes the development of up to 199 housing units, with 60 set aside for low-income owners, assisting Piedmont in meeting its housing goals. It also incorporates recreational spaces and the Public Works Corporation Yard. Planning began in summer 2023, with completion anticipated by early 2025. Additionally, the affordable housing component is expected to receive funding from Alameda County. For more details, check out the link below! #MoragaCanyon #MCSP #PiedmontPlanning #AffordableHousing #CityPlanning #UrbanDevelopment #HousingProjects #PiedmontHousing #PublicWorks #SustainableDevelopment #CommunityPlanning #AlamedaCounty #LowIncomeHousing #UrbanDesign #SmartGrowth #MasterPlan #PublicEngagement #PlanningCommission #CityOfPiedmont #DevelopmentUpdates #ArchitecturalDesign #MasterPlanning #UrbanArchitecture #SustainableArchitecture #CommunityArchitecture #SitePlanning #MixedUseDevelopment #AffordableArchitecture

With less prime riverfront land and high housing costs in major US cities, how can real estate firms and developers make riverfronts more equitable? Building more #affordablehousing, ensuring residents have access to riverfronts, and creating accessible public spaces such as riverwalks and parks are several ways that make the riverfront more inclusive. A great example of riverfront equity is the work completed by BKV Group, a holistic architecture firm that has completed several mixed-use projects around Minneapolis, including an affordable 150-unit apartment building, along with a senior living facility, and a massive retail space. In addition, the group transformed riverfront land in Champlin, a Minneapolis suburb— adding a pavilion, 600-person open-air amphitheater, playground, recreation area, and boat landing. Read more about these riverfront developments and the challenges the industry faces, as well as other examples of current #downtown projects that will reshape the riverfronts. #equitabledevelopment https://lnkd.in/eqKVdpHt

Toronto’s public sector is planning a 33-hectare neighbourhood on Lake Ontario. It features fine new parks and vast swaths of empty public land. It represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for dense, creative city-building. And it is being wasted, reported The Globe and Mail. "A plan for Villiers Island, located in the Port Lands just east of downtown, went to a public meeting on Thursday; it will go to Toronto City Council in June. The plan is a failure. It is supposed to maximize the delivery of housing; it will not. It could create a unique sense of place; it won’t do that either. Instead, it will deliver dull and regressive city-building with a focus on the car and indifferent public space." "This revised precinct plan, which amends the 2017 proposal, locks in key decisions about Villiers: density and the street pattern. The city “wants to have certainty around the density to confirm the infrastructure and servicing required,” a spokesperson said in a statement last week." https://lnkd.in/gTm9fu6p #toronto #development #villiersisland #density

🚧 Gowanus Rezoning Construction Underway: #NYCHA Residents Anticipate Their Share of Redevelopment 🚧 As part of the Gowanus Rezoning plan, repairs for New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA)'s Gowanus Houses and Wyckoff Gardens are moving forward. NYCHA has selected the design-build team, Mega/Technico Joint Venture to carry out $216 million in repairs, including new windows, kitchens, and bathrooms, enhancing living conditions for over 3,700 tenants. This initiative is part of the Comprehensive Modernization Program, focusing on holistic rehabilitation without shifting properties to Section 8, ensuring funding stability. The involvement of residents, like Theresa Davis, Gowanus Houses Tenant Association President, highlights the importance of community engagement in the process. Valerie Bell, the tenant association president at Wyckoff Gardens said, "Whoever came up with the idea of forming Comp Mod came up with a brilliant idea. This is the most transparent I’ve ever seen NYCHA.” The construction, expected to begin in 2025, will require temporary relocations for some residents to ensure safety during lead paint removal and other renovations. Discover more about the ongoing transformation and future plans in the full article City Limits by Tatyana Turner: https://on.nyc.gov/3A9KP28 #AffordableHousing #CommunityEngagement #PublicHousing

Excited to see this project move forward. "City planning staff are recommending approval of a plan to build a 12-storey, 127-unit residential building on James Street North at Barton Street, on the site where the Mission Services men’s shelter once stood. A report that includes the staff recommendation goes to a vote at the city’s planning committee meeting Aug. 13 at city hall." Link to full The Hamilton Spectator article in the comments, but wanted to share some thoughts. This project will signal a big change for the area. 12 storeys is tall for this street, where most of the buildings are 2 or 3 stories. But these buildings were built 100 or more years ago, when our city and country were very different. Given that there is a GO Transit Station ~1.5 blocks from the site, it totally makes sense to increase the density and I think that Core Urban (who are a Hamilton developer) has done a good job. And, to be clear, I am writing this as a local resident, someone who will have a direct view of this project from my home. It will for sure have some impact on our lives during construction and it will be something to get used to going forward. But, I am excited about this project because it is going to be delivering 127 much needed rental homes in our community, as well as more commercial space, and what should be really nice office space in the adaptively reused 1910 brick heritage building that has been retained. So, ya, change can be hard, but in this case I hope that our community embraces it. #Housing #Infill #Redevelopment #Homes #Construction #Change #Residential #HamOnt #RandomMusings

Exciting Development in Wynwood: Bazbaz Proposes Landmark 48-Story Project. Bazbaz Development is set to redefine the skyline of Wynwood with a groundbreaking proposal for a 48-story apartment tower, marking the tallest project ever envisioned for this vibrant Miami neighborhood. Leveraging the opportunities presented by the Live Local Act, this ambitious project will significantly elevate Wynwood's residential landscape. Project Highlights: Location: The development will occupy a 1.5-acre site at 2110, 2118, and 2134 North Miami Avenue, and 2101, 2129, and 2135 Northwest Miami Court. Scale: The 755,700-square-foot project will feature 544 units, offering modern living spaces in a dynamic area. Parking: The plan includes 321 on-site parking spaces, with an additional eight off-site spaces. Community Impact: At least 40% of the units will be designated for households earning no more than 120% of the area median income, ensuring affordable housing options. The Live Local Act allows developers to exceed local zoning limitations in exchange for providing affordable housing. Under this legislation, Bazbaz Development's proposal, which stands at 48 stories, could have been as tall as 60 stories but already surpasses Wynwood's current 12-story height restriction. Previous Plans and Acquisition: The current proposal is a significant departure from Bazbaz Development's initial plan, which featured an eight-story and a 12-story building with a total of 339 apartments. Bazbaz acquired the development site in 2022 for $12 million, highlighting their commitment to transforming the area. Broader Impact: The Live Local Act has sparked numerous development proposals across South Florida, aiming to address housing affordability while encouraging urban growth. Other notable projects include Moderno Development Group's 27-story 500 Art Lofts in Fort Lauderdale and Whitman Family Development's mixed-use project in Bal Harbour, which has generated considerable community discussion. As this proposal moves forward, it promises to bring new energy and opportunities to Wynwood, enhancing its reputation as one of Miami's most dynamic and evolving neighborhoods. Stay tuned for updates as Bazbaz Development's visionary project progresses. #WynwoodMiami #BazbazDevelopment #MiamiRealEstate #LiveLocalAct #MiamiSkyline #AffordableHousing #UrbanDevelopment #LuxuryLiving #MiamiApartments #RealEstateNews #CityGrowth #CommunityImpact #FutureOfWynwood

You may know it for the basketball, but you should probably get to know Spokane, WA for something else: its urbanism. Spokane is where most fundamental concepts of modern urban planning come to life, including the Central City Line (Bus Rapid Transit), Riverfront Park (Downtown Public Space), Kendall Yards (New Urbanism), and the Monroe Street Revitalization (infrastructure right-sizing). Key words here are "come to life". I spent grad school and my early career (largely car-free) in Spokane during the thick of these transformations, and can attest to the immense value and enhanced quality-of-life created by the City's unique brand of results-focused urbanism. Are they gonna pull off missing middle next? Maybe one day we'll talk about the "Spokane Six" the same way the textbooks showcase the Montreal Plex. #spokane #urbanplanning #urbanism #brt #economicdevelopment #washington #missingmiddle #multifamily #smartgrowth #housingcrisis #missingmiddlehousing

Pennley Park Apartments was a moderately-priced residential “superblock” created as part of the sweeping urban renewal redevelopment that reshaped East Liberty in the 1960s. By the late 90s, the building had deteriorated and became widely perceived as unsafe and undesirable. That’s when ELDI and long-time East Liberty developer and property manager The Community Builders stepped in to work with the community to reverse the decline and set a new standard for mixed-income residential development in the neighborhood. Today, the Pennley apartments are getting another makeover. The Community Builders plans to begin renovations on New Pennley Place I and II and Pennley Commons senior housing in 2024. But the story of these properties goes deeper than their physical upgrades. If we rewind the clock, the Pennley buildings reveal a great deal about East Liberty’s transformation and the value of a community-driven approach. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gcuu_c_a #communitydevelopment #pittsburghrealestate #cdc

Town Planning: The Art of Pleasing No One Ah, town planning – the noble profession where you get to be everyone's favorite scapegoat! Picture this: you're at a public meeting, presenting a carefully crafted plan that balances housing needs, green spaces, and local heritage. The public? Half of them think you're a villain bent on paving over their beloved park; the other half think you're not paving over enough to solve the housing crisis. Then there are the clients. They want modern, sleek developments that solve everyone's issues and yet maximize profit. But try telling them that the council insists on preserving that charming 18th-century cow shed right in the middle of their site. And the beloved councillors, they're a unique breed. One minute, they’re demanding sustainable solutions; the next, they're pushing for extra car parking spaces because, apparently, there aren't enough spaces for their constituents’ 4x4's. Navigating their whims is like herding cats – if the cats had strong opinions about planning policies. And let's not forget our dear colleagues, the architects. Ah, the architects – with their grand visions and (impractical) designs. They imagine utopian cities in the sky, while we’re the ones who have to tell they'd never get 'that' through planning committee..... Yes, town planners are perched precariously on the trustworthiness ladder, somewhere between second-hand car dealers and dentists. But at least we’re a few rungs above those politicians and, dare we say, slightly higher than architects in the grand scheme of things. So, next time you see a town planner, give them a smile. They’ve earned it. Navigating the treacherous waters of public opinion, client (or councillor) demands, and political whims is no small feat. And while we may not win popularity contests, we can rest easy knowing we’re doing our best to create livable, sustainable communities – one compromise at a time. #planning #recruitingplanners #planningreform RTPI

WEST DENTON WELCOME: It was great to welcome friends and stakeholders recently to an open morning at our exciting new Hillhead Road affordable homes development in West Denton.   Despite the weather, a good number dropped in to discover more about the £7.3 m scheme, designed by P+HS Architects, which will eventually see a mix of 45 two, three and four residential properties constructed for Karbon Homes. The properties, which are available for rent, shared ownership and rent-to-buy, are playing a significant part in helping to meet the huge demand for affordable social housing in Newcastle and the wider region. In terms of occupied plots, 25 have residents and there are a couple more awaiting imminent handover, Adderstone Living Managing Director Stephen McCoy (pictured with other team members at the event), said: “It was good to catch up with so many people, including our friends form Homes England, to let them see for themselves what a terrific scheme this is as it nears final completion. “The sustainable design, construction and placemaking we have built in are key to realising the development’s scope and vision, making it suitable for homeowners with a wide variety of needs. We are incredibly proud of what we have delivered for our client and the local community.” Zoey Hawthorne, Assistant Director of Development Delivery at Karbon Homes, said: “It’s brilliant to see this development of smart, energy efficient new homes finished and handed over to new residents. We know there’s demand in the area for affordable housing and this development is providing options for a whole range of customers.” Working with local authorities and housing associations, Adderstone Living’s ‘land-led’ solutions involve the sourcing of suitable land, scheme design and securing of planning permissions before delivering quality homes. #UKREiiF #affordablehousing #affordablehomeselling #affordablehomeselling #affordablehome #northeast #northeastengland #housebuilder