Midtown Rezoning Plan Closer to a Reality

A plan to rezone East Midtown Manhattan is one step closer to becoming a reality. It passed a City Council subcommittee Thursday and will go before the full council next month. 

The rezoning covers about a 78 block area from E. 39th St. to E. 57th St. It allows for larger office buildings and requires certain improvements to public infrastructure. Developers would be able to buy unused air rights from landmarks in the community in order to build taller towers. 

City Council Member Dan Garodnick calls the plan "up-zoning with guaranteed public benefits". 

"This plan will create growth in East Midtown by delivering certainty and opportunity, not only for developers, but also for the public and for our landmarks."

Under the plan, any building larger than 30,000 square feet will have to maintain Privately Owned Public Space. The city says as many as 16 of these new public spots could be created. 

The plan also stipulates that developers contribute funds to improving nearby subway stations.