Mott Haven housing development is first to undergo new expedited review process
Rendering courtesy of STAT Architecture PC
In last November’s election, New Yorkers voted to approve four housing ballot measures, including one that speeds up construction by reducing the time it takes to review projects. On Friday, the city announced that the first-ever project to go through the new Expedited Land Use Review Procedure (ELURP), which shortens the review process from seven months to just 90 days, will be an affordable housing development in Mott Haven. Located at 351 Powers Avenue, the Powerhouse Apartments, first unveiled in 2024, will turn an empty city-owned lot into more than 80 affordable apartments, a community theater, and outdoor green space.
Five reforms to the city’s charter were on the ballot in November, with four addressing the need to build more housing. Question 3 proposed an expedited review process for certain projects that would otherwise need a Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP).
As the Furman Center notes, ELURP consolidates the community board and the borough president’s review of the application, shortens the period for review for the City Planning Commission (CPC), and eliminates review by the City Council. Under the new process, there’s a 60-day review by the local community board and borough president and a 30-day review and final decision by the CPC.
Because this project involves the disposition of city-owned land, City Council approval is still required. The review will kick off next week and take three months, two for the review by the community board and borough president, and one month for the review and vote by the City Council.
In addition to accelerating housing projects, ELURP can be used for climate infrastructure and resiliency-related projects. Another tool available to projects will be the “Affordable Housing Fast Track,” a process similar to ELURP but with a 45-day review period at CPC for projects requiring more comprehensive environmental review, according to the city.
“With a 1.4% vacancy rate, New Yorkers can’t afford to wait years for new homes to get approved,” Annemarie Gray, executive director of Open New York, said in a statement. “In November, voters overwhelmingly voted to fix that, and we’re already seeing the results: 80 new affordable homes in the South Bronx, moving through a fast-track process that didn’t exist six months ago.”
“We are in a dire housing shortage, and I am thrilled to see the administration act with urgency, embracing these new tools right out of the gate.”
The Mott Haven project has already gone through six months of community engagement and outreach starting in 2021, resulting in the community visioning report. The city subsequently released a request for proposals and, in 2024, selected Lemle & Wolff Development Co., HELP Development Corp., and True Development New York, LLC to develop Powerhouse Apartments.
Designed by STAT Architecture, the 8-story building will be built on a Department of Education parking lot, located on Powers Avenue between East 141st and 143rd Streets. As 6sqft previously reported, the all-electric development will boast sustainable elements, including high-efficiency heat pumps, light-colored materials, solar panels, green roofs, and plantings. Plus, recessed, angled windows will orient away from the sun to mitigate heat gain and maximize views of the adjacent Saint Mary’s Park.
The breakdown of apartments is 24 studios, 18 one-bedrooms, 31 two-bedrooms, and 11 three-bedrooms; about 30 of the 80 total units will be set aside for formerly homeless New Yorkers. Other spaces at the building include a 4,000-square-foot theater and a 3,000-square-foot workforce development center with programming for young adults.
The project has entered ELURP and still needs to acquire financing, according to the city.
Powerhouse Apartments was announced as part of former Mayor Eric Adams’ “24 in 24” plan, which pushed forward two dozen affordable housing projects on public land in 2024.
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Editor’s note: The original version of this article has been updated to reflect the need for City Council approval for this project because it involves city-owned land.
