The 27-acre Central Park Plaza site will have a much different future according to plans unveiled last night by LP Ciminelli to neighborhood residents. ‘Highland Park,’ the historical name for this area of the Fillmore/Leroy neighborhood, is envisioned as containing up to 600 new mixed-income rental units, new roads to tie the site into adjacent neighborhoods, and parks. Construction on the $70 million project is expected to start next year.
Louis P. Ciminelli bought the 27-acre Central Park Plaza site for $800,000 in 2012. Located at 129 Holden Street, Central Park Plaza was once a thriving property with many commercial tenants, but as a result of the failure of its owners to maintain the site and changing demographics and shopping patterns, the tenants left and it had become a neighborhood nuisance.
Its Brooklyn-based owner was ordered to sell the property under a settlement with New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman. Shortly after purchase, five buildings, approximately 275,000 square feet, were demolished at cost of $1.2 million. The site requires environmental remediation prior to reuse.
LPCiminelli is leading a team consisting of Ciminelli Real Estate Corporation, Stieglitz Snyder Architecture, Wendel, and Boston-based planning firm Goody Clancy working on the project. The developers have had a number of meetings with neighborhood residents and stakeholders to seek feedback on design, use, and layout options.
The site is surrounded on all sides by residences and apartments. It is also located just east of the Amherst Street light rail station, an asset the new owner plans to take advantage of.
New housing will consist of rental units in a mix of building types including four-story buildings, three-story walk-up units, and townhouses.
Chalmers Avenue would be extended into the site with a parkway design. Wade Avenue and Hill Street would also be extended. A round-about is planned for the Chalmers and Hill Street intersection.
The planning work extends beyond the Central Park Plaza site. LPCiminelli is working with the City to leverage its investment in the site to improvements in the Fillmore/LeRoy neighborhood. There are between 200 and 300 infill lots available on surrounding blocks where additional multi-family and home ownership opportunities are possible.
Get Connected: LP Ciminelli, 716.855.1200