A Bronx, New York-based developer transforming a number of vacant buildings into reuse in the city has been selected following a request for proposals to revitalize into new housing units the former Bassick High School at the nexus of the West Side and West End.
The city’s development office has requested that the City Council order a public hearing March 2 regarding the proposed development agreement at the old Bassick site, 1181 Fairfield Avenue, 226 Clinton Avenue, and 1180 State Street.
The development agreement calls for 140 units in total, 70 set aside for independent senior apartments, with the restoration of the original 1928 building and demolition of the structure added in 1967.
See Tuesday’s City Council agenda here
A new Bassick High School opened its doors for this academic year located in the South End next to the University of Bridgeport.
See development agreement here
Kiumarz Geula, the developer selected, is rehabbing the former AT&T tower Downtown into mixed-use revival. He also owns the Bijou Theatre, the former Connecticut Post building on State Street and 800 Union Avenue, a former East End industrial building now home to Foolproof Brewery.
Guela is among the highest profile developers in the city. His company website highlights the work he’s doing in Bridgeport
We specialize in developing and managing apartment buildings, with a focus on revitalizing underserved neighborhoods to improve residents’ quality of life. A key example is our work in the Morrisania section of the Bronx, where we redeveloped 525,000 square feet along 3rd Avenue, sparking the area’s renewal. In Bridgeport, Connecticut, we are revitalizing the Downtown district by restoring historic structures and constructing modern buildings, fostering a vibrant community.
Guela generally incorporates affordable housing components into his developments.
Who are the folks who sat on the review committee? What is their experience that provided a decision to them? How many are resident-taxpayers?
Where are minutes of that review committee filed? Why do officials fail to organize a Fair Housing Commission, after 20 years of non functioning from the top?
Were any other proposals received that dealt with preservation? How did they compare?
City land that is clear of remediation issues is more valuable to a developer than land requiring remediation. How rare is such City owned property today? Value of these several properties today per assessor? Contemplated agreement value for City?
What is range of “affordable housing compnents” in Mr. Geula’s world today?
City fathers and mothers have not been as forthcoming to City residents, with opportunities to review and learn in a timely fashion as I would favor. That is true. What is the rush on this property development when a previous school property continues to fail redirection, as in Harding High School?
Time will tell.
This guy was just selected? Was there any review of other proposals? Does Alfredo Castillo still work for him on the side?