NY State Issues RFP for Redevelopment of Former Bayview Correctional Facility in West Chelsea

ALBANY—New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Sept.  26 that Empire State Development had issued of a request for proposals to redevelop the former Bayview Correctional Facility, located at 550 West 20th St. in West Chelsea in Manhattan into a primarily residential development providing supportive housing, affordable housing, and onsite community uses that will benefit area residents and reintegrate the structure into the surrounding neighborhood.

Built in 1931, the 100,000-square-foot art deco brick masonry building became a state-run medium-security women’s correctional facility in 1974, that was eventually closed due to flooding sustained during Superstorm Sandy in 2012.

Recognizing that the West Chelsea neighborhood has a critical shortage of affordable housing options, the redevelopment of Bayview will be a key catalyst for inclusive and sustainable urban development and will provide much needed housing for New Yorkers who require services within a supportive living environment, state officials noted. The redevelopment will also serve to enhance neighborhood vibrancy and the quality of life for residents in the surrounding area,

The deadline to submit a proposal to Empire State Development is Dec. 13, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.

“By reimagining the Bayview facility as affordable housing, we are not only creating more housing options for New Yorkers—we are expanding the possibilities of what former prisons and other unused state properties can become,” Gov. Hochul said. “New York’s future depends on increasing the state’s housing supply, and between the recommendations of the Prison Redevelopment Commission and executive actions I announced earlier this year, our state is taking leaps forward to repurpose these vacant facilities and leverage them as critical tools to address the housing crisis.”

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight added, “The Bayview Correctional Center’s redevelopment offers a unique, forward-thinking opportunity to address New York’s long-term economic and housing priorities. Inspired by Governor Hochul’s unwavering commitment to enhance affordability in New York, this RFP aims to maximize the creation of both affordable and supportive housing, and address real needs expressed by the community.”

The primary development objectives for the project are to provide affordable and supportive housing in partnership with New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR), to provide Short Term Transitional Housing in partnership with the New York State Office of Mental Health and to improve the wellness and economic opportunities in the neighborhood. The RFP requires respondents to consider the site’s historic art-deco design and the neighborhood’s character and include an onsite community use facility that supports the needs of the surrounding neighborhood, both of which are consistent with Manhattan Community Board 4’s Bayview redevelopment plan.

Specifically, proposals should meet the following objectives:

• Benefit the West Chelsea neighborhood and surrounding communities including benefit to low- and moderate-income individuals and families and chronically homeless populations.

• Provide permanent low-income affordable housing and at least 60 units of supportive housing targeting families and individuals who are both homeless and who are identified as having unmet housing needs, as specified in the RFP.

• Provide community facility use.

• Provide for adaptive reuse of the historic building and features to the extent feasible.

• Provide in-kind replacement of the historic façade to the extent feasible; if determined not feasible, provide replacement with compatible substitute material, as determined in consultation with New York State Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation.

• Comply with all OPRHP requirements.

• Incorporate sustainable and resilient building practices in accordance with the goals of the New York State Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.

• Ensure meaningful participation by Minority Owned Business Enterprises, Women Owned Business Enterprises and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned-Business.

• Ensure at least 51% Nonprofit Ownership, as compliant with HCR’s SHOP Term Sheet.

• Ensure greater Nonprofit Ownership by incentivizing greater ownership percentages.