For about two years now, debate has raged over the future of P.S. 31, a landmarked former elementary school on the Bronx's Grand Concourse that has been abandoned since 1997. (And, yes, it's super eerie inside.) Many of the city's abandoned landmarks wait in limbo for their next life, but for P.S. 31 the waiting game seemed to be overand the wrecking ball was going to win. And it did, in a way. P.S. 31 was demolished this year due to safety concerns, but its 30,000-square-foot site will take on a new purpose with some vestiges of the old. New York YIMBY reports that the city's Housing, Preservation & Development (HPD) department just issued a request for proposals, asking developers to submit plans to turn it into affordable housing.
Proposals are due in September, but there are a bunch of rules and restrictions. As per YIMBY:
HPD plans to rescue elements of the 1899 school buildingincluding terra cotta gargoyles, heads and the engraved P.S. 31 signand will require that the future builder incorporate those salvaged pieces into the new development's design. At least 15% of the units must be three-bedrooms, and no more than 15% of the apartments can be studios. The mixed-income project must also include ground floor retail that provides local services, and possibly a community facility space. Bonus points to developers who plan to spruce up the walkway that lies between P.S. 31 and the adjacent Garrison Playground, and extra bonus points to those that will allocate funds to fix up the playground.
With demolition officially averteda fate we thought was highly likelynow we wait.
· 425 Grand Concourse Request for Proposals [official]
· City Moves To Redevelop Crumbling P.S. 31 In The South Bronx [YIMBY]
· Look Inside the Bronx's Crumbling 'Castle on the Concourse' [Curbed]
· Bronx's 'Castle on the Concourse' Will Be Demolished Soon [Curbed]
· What's Next for New York City's Many Abandoned Landmarks? [Curbed]
· All P.S. 31 coverage [Curbed]
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