Neighborhood Chatter: Nadler Ranks, Hoylman Backs Lappin, 'My Micro NY' Wins Bid

'My Micro NY' Wins Bid The results are in: Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Deputy Mayor for Economic Development Robert Steel and Development Commissioner Mathew Wambua announced the winners of the adAPT NYC Competition last week. Among the 33 proposals submitted, the winning proposal, "My Micro NY," came from a development team made up of Actors Fund Housing Development Corporation, nARCHITECTS and Monadnock Development LLC. "Today's announcement is a milestone for new housing models," Steel said at the press conference announcing the decision. AdAPT NYC was launched last July as a pilot program seeking to develop micro-units, a new model of housing that aims to be efficient and affordable in a time of rising population growth. A Request for Proposals was issued to find developers to design, build and operate NYC's first-ever micro-unit apartment building at 335 E. 27th St. "We've built market-rate and affordable housing in the five boroughs that has given people places to live and make memories, but this is an important opportunity to change the way we think about living space in an urban setting," said Alphonse Lembo of Monadnock. Because an entire building of micro-units does not meet NYC housing codes, Bloomberg has decided to waive the relevant zoning regulations during this testing period. "The growth rate for one- and two-person households greatly exceeds that of households with three or more people, and addressing that housing challenge requires us to think creatively and beyond our current regulations," Bloomberg said. My Micro NY will be Manhattan's first multi-unit building to use modular construction, a method that cuts cost and time. Sections will be pre-made at another location, in this case the Brooklyn Navy Yard, then transported and added to the already completed foundation, utilities and ground floor. Features of this winning project include a multi-purpose ground floor used for "creative activities," a rooftop garden, laundry room and fitness space. The housing units themselves, covering 250 to 370 square feet, will be divided into "toolbox" and "canvas" zones, featuring full-depth closet, compact kitchen, 9-foot, 10-inch ceilings and Juliette balconies. Who is the target consumer for this revolutionary style of living? One or two people earning low to middle incomes looking to live in Manhattan. The city hopes it might attract young professionals trying to get their footing or a newlywed couple looking for their first shared home. The Museum of the City of New York will be featuring the winning proposal along with four other distinguished proposals in the exhibit "Making Room: New Models for Housing New Yorkers." Museum director Susan Jones said, "With this exhibition, the Museum of the City of New York and the Citizens Housing & Planning Council are giving New Yorkers a glimpse into the future of housing in our city." Another Democratic Official Backs Lappin State Sen. Brad Hoylman is the fifth elected Manhattan Democrat to endorse City Council Member Jessica Lappin in her run for Manhattan borough president. Noting Lappin's past achievements that should prove beneficial for future issues, Hoylman said, "She's fought to bring new schools to the borough and ease overcrowding. Her key role in bringing the Cornell-Technion applied sciences campus here will create thousands of good jobs. And she understands how critical preserving and expanding affordable housing is to the middle class." Hoylman went on to acclaim Lappin's progressive efforts, particularly toward pro-choice, LGBT rights, civil rights and social justice. "I'm incredibly proud and honored to have Brad's support for borough president," Lappin said. "He's one of the exciting new voices in the Democratic Party-and someone who's spent more than two decades as a West Side civic activist making a difference on so many issues important to his community." Nadler Ranks Again Once again, Congressman Jerrold Nadler has been named the ranking Democrat on the newly renamed Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice of House Judiciary Committee. This subcommittee has jurisdiction over all proposed constitutional amendments as well as constitutional and civil rights and civil liberties (i.e., LGBT rights and abortion rights). As a vehemently outspoken advocate of these rights and liberties, Nadler is honored to continue this role. "I look forward to working with my colleagues to advance critical constitutional and civil rights that continue to be under attack by a right-wing majority in the House and in the courts," he said. I will do my very best to form a first line of defense against any and all attempts to limit or roll back protections." Compiled by Jessica Mastronardi