From the Jody Kriss Blog: 3 Cool Gowanus Canal Happenings

Although the Jody Kriss Blog tends to cover real estate news, things affecting housing market, and developments by Jody Kriss and East River Partners, from time to time it also covers news and info related to New York City. Right now there are some really exciting things happening with the Gowanus Canal, and they affect everyone in the surrounding areas.

Background on the Gowanus Canal

Most New Yorkers learn about the Gowanus Canal very quickly upon arrival to the city, but it is one of those things tourists don’t often get to see. Like the rest of New York City, Brooklyn was booming in the 1800s, and the area around Gowanus Creek was surrounded by farms and mills. To help further development in the area and make it easier for companies to transport goods, officials decided to widen the creek into a canal. There were a lot of different plans proposed to ensure that the nearly two-mile stretch of water would remain fresh and clean, but ultimately officials settled on the plan that would save the most money- simply hoping that the tides would keep the water fresh. Construction was completed in 1869 and the companies that congregated on the banks of the Gowanus Canal immediately started dumping waste into the water, including things like mercury, lead, and coal tar, and even raw sewage found its way in. Since then, many proposals have been made for cleanup efforts, but all have failed. The water remains one of the most polluted areas in the entire United States, filled with dangerous pathogens and so low in oxygen that it cannot sustain life or a healthy ecosystem.

1. The Floating Garden

Last fall, a “floating garden” of sorts was unleashed on the Gowanus. The garden is built from numerous materials, including bamboo and coconut matting, with various plants carefully potted inside wide metal pipes that are filled with plastic water bottles. Part of it is solar-powered, as it desalinates water from the canal and also collects rainwater. The designers hope it will help scrub the canal clean, but it’s still very much an experimental project.

2. The 2,000 Gallon Project

Rainwater is an ongoing issue, as it tends to push more sewage into the Gowanus. Although there is a sewage tank below the canal to collect rainwater, there are times it cannot handle the deluge and it overflows. In an effort to catch the water before it hits the tank, developers have started the 2,000 Gallon Project. The concept is very simple. They’re filling several dumpsters with soil and plants and placing them in areas around the Gowanus. Each one should be able to hold 2,000 gallons of water.

3. The First Street Basin Restoration

Between Carroll and Third Streets, and behind the abandoned Brooklyn Rapid Transit Powerhouse (aka the Batcave), is an area that was once a basin attached to the Gowanus. Although no one is quite sure when it fell into disuse and was filled in with dirt, experts believe it was around the 1950s.  As part of the overall cleanup plan for the Gowanus, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that they plan to restore the basin. They expect to remove around 1,000 truckloads of contaminated dirt and will add 475 more feet of water onto the Gowanus. The catch is, nobody is quite sure what’s down there below the layers of dirt, and the EPA has archaeologists on staff to help them manage any interesting finds, including shipwrecks, according to DNA Info.

The Gowanus Canal cleanup projects are staggered out over a period of several years. Construction on the basin isn’t even slated to begin until 2018, and they plan to keep it blocked off from the main canal until cleanup is complete to avoid recontamination. In the meantime, keep checking back with the Jody Kriss Blog for future updates on the Gowanus project, real estate news, updates on Jody Kriss and East River partner projects, and more.

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From the Jody Kriss Blog: Study Shows Airbnb Still Hurting NYC

Jody Kriss and East River Partners often choose to restore buildings throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn, simply because there is a huge need for housing in the area. With a bit of TLC from Jody Kriss and East River Partners, the older buildings can be brought back to life and modernized, so that they suit the needs of people today. A study that was just put out by the Housing Conservation Coordinators (HCC), a tenant advocacy group, as well as MFY Legal Services and BJH Advisors has just uncovered another reason why it’s so difficult for people to find decent housing in the prime boroughs- Airbnb.

HCC Says Airbnb is “Short Changing New York City”

The study, entitled “Short Changing New York City,” reveals that Manhattan and Brooklyn are the boroughs that have been hit the hardest by Airbnb’s short-term rentals. According to their research, about 60% of New York City’s housing is split between the two, but of Airbnb’s more than 51,000 rentals, in excess of 90% are within Manhattan or Brooklyn. The researchers went so far as to declutter the data and only look at “Impact Listings.” In order for a rental to be included in their data, it had to either be a rental of a full house (versus single rooms in a home), be commercial (fit criteria that suggested owners were using it as an income source), or be a regular rental (met frequent booking guidelines).

5 Neighborhoods are Taking the Brunt

Not only are Manhattan and Brooklyn being massively affected by the rentals, but five “macro-neighborhoods,” in particular, account for 53% of all New York City Airbnb listings.

1. East Village/ Lower East Side
2. Chelsea/ Hell’s Kitchen
3. West Village/ Greenwich Village/ SoHo
4. Williamsburg/ Greenpoint/ Bushwick
5. Bed Stuy / Crown Heights

Airbnb Contributes to the “Housing Emergency”

When rental vacancy rates fall below 5%, the city considers it to be a housing emergency. Once it hits this point, people become displaced and face hardships. Right now, the vacancy rates are somewhere between 3.4% and 3.6% and they have been below 5% for decades. However, if just the high impact Airbnb listings were put on the market for actual residents to rent, it’s estimated that housing stock would increase by 1%.

To be clear, they aren’t talking about the average citizen who goes on vacation and rents out their home while they’re away, or the person who sublets a room, or even the people who occasionally sublet a room to someone on vacation. These stats are only related to the people who are using their homes to gain a regular income by doing short-term rentals. In the West Village/ Greenwich Village/ SoHo area, vacancy rates currently sit at 2.9%. Reintroducing just the impact listings in the area, back into the rental market, would bring the vacancy rate up to 5%. In the Chelsea/ Hell’s Kitchen neighborhoods, it would climb from 4.2% to 5.7%.

For many, these statistics will be no surprise. It was uncovered back in 2014 that more than 70% of all NYC Airbnb listings were illegal. When Airbnb was finally willing to part with their data in 2015, they culled more than 1,500 listings beforehand. It’s clear there is no quick and easy answer for the city’s housing issues. However, Jody Kriss and East River Partners will continue working to revitalize neighborhoods and restore historic buildings, adding much-needed housing stock back into these hard-hit areas.

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From the Jody Kriss Blog: 2 Big Reasons to Buy NYC Property Now

From the rates in Brooklyn, where Jody Kriss and East River Partners commonly work, to the Brexit, there’s a lot going on and affecting New York City right now. Numerous economists and real estate experts say it’s the best possible time to make a purchase in the Big Apple, but it may also be a challenging time to get into the market for those who could benefit the most. Here’s a quick look from the Jody Kriss Blog at two big things affecting the market, and why you may want to grab a property now if you’re able.

1. Values are Expected to Climb, Especially in Brooklyn and Queens

Ingo Winzer recently put together a great piece for Forbes Magazine that highlights the changing market in NYC. While we all love Manhattan, it has become difficult people to enter. This one of the major reasons why Jody Kriss and East River partners routinely select development projects in Brooklyn. It’s no longer a fallback plan when Manhattan doesn’t work out. Rather, it’s a premier option, with business professionals and families seeking out iconic brownstones throughout the borough. Winzer points out that the healthcare industry is booming as well and drawing people into the area. He estimates that Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx will see a 20% population increase in the next three years alone. He’s advising people to invest in entire residential buildings and commercial spaces, but the population increases will raise the value of property as a whole, making now the ideal time to purchase.

2. Brexit May Bring More Foreign Investors In

Right now, it’s very difficult to say just how Brexit will affect the global economy. In the immediate aftermath of the announcement of Brexit, the British pound dropped 20% overnight and many experts think the economy will be slow to recover. This makes American properties all the more tempting to foreign buyers because of America’s stability. Primarily in NYC, where property values are increasing. It’s expected that many of those who might have otherwise invested in the UK will be looking to the US for more constancy. The caveat to this, however, is that many have their funds tied up in pounds, which will make purchasing more challenging now that their money doesn’t go as far. As Brexit continues, the demand for property will increase due to these foreign buyers, which will also drive the cost of NYC property up.

Whether you’re considering buying one of the homes that Jody Kriss and East River Partners has thoughtfully restored or are looking for property elsewhere in the Big Apple, it seems that all sources are saying now is the time to make a purchase. It’s ideal for investors, as property values are expected to drastically climb, and a great time for individuals to obtain a new home, simply because the prices may well be as low as they’re going to be for many years to come.

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Jody Kriss Blog: Why 1/3+ of Manhattan’s Buildings Couldn’t Be Built Today

Jody Kriss, developer with East River Partners, works primarily on restoring historic structures across Brooklyn and Manhattan. As most New Yorkers know, a lot of these buildings do not comply with today’s building code requirements, and they need quite a bit of work before they’re ready for a modern family to move into. A team of writers from the New York Times recently reported data that reveals how much codes have changed, and they realized the differences are extensive. By today’s standards, around 40-percent of the buildings that currently exist in Manhattan would never come to fruition if the developers tried to get permits to construct them today. Here’s a brief overview of some of the buildings that would be nixed, and why.

Many Buildings are Too Tall

The Financial District’s Equitable Building, which sits at 120 Broadway, is truly a marvel. However, it’s also a massive 538 feet tall. It’s said it cast a seven-acre shadow when it was constructed in 1915. Many of the buildings in its vicinity were much shorter at the time, and received no sunshine at all as a result. Over worry that structures like the Equitable Building would become the norm, the city decided to enact its first building codes. These codes addressed height, as well as “setbacks,” which mandated that later buildings would have to have a tapered shape, or steps, as they rose in height. Manhattan is packed with buildings that don’t fit today’s standards, especially on the Upper East and Upper West sides.

Other Buildings are Too Dense

The housing shortage in New York City has caused some serious headaches over the years, which Jody Kriss and East River Partners have corrected on many of their projects- offering the spacious floorplans that that are necessary for comfortable living. However, many of the city’s older buildings still bear the markings of their age, and are overloaded with apartments in a feeble attempt to make space for everyone. These cramped living conditions led to numerous hazards, including fire dangers and general health concerns. Some of the most notable examples of this are referred to as “dumbbell tenements.” When the city mandated that builders incorporate a clean air source into every inhabitable room, they opted to keep the structures close together, while allowing just enough space for an air shaft between them. This enabled early builders to cram even more apartments in the tiniest footprint possible. The worst offenders for overcrowding are the West Village and Chelsea.

While these buildings add to the overall charm of New York City and give us a sense of nostalgia, the building codes have been put in place to help make the city more livable. This is, in part, why the work that Jody Kriss and East River Partners does is so important. By preserving the historic structures, NYC retains its unique vibe, but it also gains the high-quality living spaces that are in such short supply these days.

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Jody Kriss Blog: 4 Historic NYC Destinations to Add to Your Bucket List

Jody Kriss of East River Partners is passionate about preserving historic buildings across New York City. His latest projects include renovations on some wonderful structures in the Big Apple, including the Adas Yisroel Anshe Mezritch Synagogue at 415 East 6th Street. Although the Jody Kriss Blog typically covers New York City real estate news, projects East River Partners is completing, as well as happenings around the city, this blog pays homage to some of the area’s most cherished historic buildings that are still in service. If you haven’t already visited these four destinations, they deserve a spot on your bucket list.

1. Fraunces Tavern

Situated at 54 Pearl Street in Manhattan, the Fraunces Tavern is the oldest restaurant in the city. The building, itself dates back to 1719, and was originally intended to be a private residence for a wealthy merchant by the name of Stephen Delancey. Samuel Fraunces, an innkeeper, purchased the home in 1762 and converted it into a tavern, which he named Queen’s Head. Sons of Liberty and George Washington are said to have been regulars back in the day. The place is rich with history, and not only serves meals befitting of the colonial era, but it also hosts a museum.

2. The Lyceum Theater

There are actually two theaters that were completed in 1903 and are still in operation, but the New Amsterdam Theatre came in slightly after the Lyceum Theatre.  Producer David Frohman had an apartment built atop 149 W. 45th Street in Manhattan, which allowed him to watch his wife, actress Margaret Illington, on stage with ease. Judy Holiday was also catapulted to fame at the Lyceum while playing Billie Dawn in “Born Yesterday,” the theater’s longest-running show.

3. The New York Historical Society Museum

The New York Historical Society is the oldest museum in all of New York, founded in 1804. However its early days were difficult. The museum moved around a lot and even had to mortgage some of its books to make ends meet in the early 1800s. In 1902, construction on its eighth home at 170 Central Park West in Manhattan began and it opened on that site in 1908. Today, it hosts over 1.6 million pieces and has one of the greatest collections around.

4. Old Quaker Meeting House

The synagogue that Jody Kriss and East River Partners restored  was built in 1910, and certainly qualifies for historic status, but it’s nowhere near the oldest place of worship in the region. That title belongs to the Old Quaker Meeting House at 137-16 Northern Boulevard in Flushing, Queens. It was opened in 1694 and has been in use for its intended purpose ever since, except for a brief period of time during the Revolutionary War when the British occupied the structure.

New York City is packed with amazing architecture that showcases just how far the entire country has come. Visiting these places is like stepping into a doorway to the past- an experience everyone should have at least once.

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From the Jody Kriss Blog: Stabilized Rent to Freeze Again?

Jody Kriss of East River Partners focuses on rejuvenating neighborhoods and making some of New York City’s oldest treasures not only livable again, but with added luxurious touches, ideal for today’s modern professional. However, there is still much debate throughout the city on what must be done in regard to solutions for people who require simpler housing options. The New York City Rent Guidelines Board (NYCRGB) is about to make another momentous decision that could affect more than a million renters throughout the city, as well as landlords and owners of rent stabilized housing. The following Jody Kriss Blog gives a brief synopsis of the history, and perhaps future, of NYC’s rent freeze.

Rents Were Frozen on Subsidized Housing One Year Ago

As a globally-recognized business hub and a major entryway into the country, NYC has always struggled to provide enough homes for its citizens. In the past five years alone, the population has boomed 4.6%, according to the NYC Department of City Planning, adding 375,300 more residents. By their estimates, the city has not seen this kind of growth since the roaring 20s. At the same time, too few new homes are being added, and many of the existing structures are falling into various stages of disrepair. People genuinely struggle to find any kind of housing at all, which naturally increases the cost of housing. Arguments about the actual benefits of rent subsidized housing aside, more than one million people are taking advantage of the city’s programs, and have concerns that their rents will increase some to keep up with demand and the costs to keep the older buildings livable. Last year, the NYCRGB decided to freeze these rents, so people renewing their leases would not see an increase.

Rents May Be Frozen for One More Year

There will be a total of five public testimony hearings, the first of which will occur on June 9 in Jamaica, Queens. Others will be held in Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Manhattan. The final vote of the NYCRGB will be held on June 27,  and proposals include another freeze on stabilized rent, or up to a 2% increase on one-year leases, while two-year leases could see a 0.5% to 3.5%  increase. On the one hand, landlord advocates had been hoping for relief, and a 4% to 6% hike, while many of the tenant groups are vying for a freeze, and some even requesting a reduction. The board that will make the final decision consists of a team of nine, chosen by Mayor Bill de Blasio, and includes former United States magistrate judge Kathleen Roberts as the Chair.

Jody Kriss and East River Partners will remain largely unaffected, regardless of the board’s decision. Instead, the developer plans to focus on creating more homes overall, to help minimize New York City’s shortage and give people more options that suit their lifestyles. “We have a lot of great projects in the works,” Jody Kriss said in a statement. “East River Partners will continue revitalizing communities and helping to bring back the integrity of the city’s historic buildings.”

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