By Alexander Dworkowitz
The developer behind Edgewater Estates, the large housing complex along College Point’s waterfront, has applied for a variance in order to complete the project.
Edgewater Development Inc.’s request for a variance to construct 25 homes along the East River is slated to come up before Community Board 7 in February.
“We think it should go through pretty smooth,” said John Rubin, project supervisor for Edgewater.
Located on 115th Street off 9th Avenue, Edgewater Estates is the latest housing complex to spring up along College Point’s waterfronts.
With 116 three-story units each designed for two families, 232 families are expected to move into Edgewater once it is completed, making it one of the largest concentrations of housing in College Point.
The northern section of housing, called Dalian Court, has been completed and sold out, and residents began moving in at the end of December.
The southern section, called Taipei Court, is under construction and is partially sold.
Twenty-five of Taipei Court’s 54 units lie within a manufacturing zone and therefore needed a variance issued by the city Board of Standards and Appeals.
All of the units are the same size at 3,200 square feet. But prices range from $599,900 to $819,900 based on the view.
The project will cost an estimated $30 million. Rubin said he thought the construction would be completed six to nine months after the variance is granted as expected.
The influx of hundreds of new residents to College Point, however, has worried some community leaders, who have said that the neighborhood’s two public schools and narrow streets cannot handle any more residents.
“College Point is very unhappy with any of the developments down there because it really impacts on the community,” said Marilyn Bitterman, district manager of CB 7. “The schools are overcrowded. The bottom line is where are you going to put these kids?”
But Rubin contended the housing was much better for College Point than using the land for a factory.
“I think this is the best thing for the neighborhood,” Rubin said. “If they opened up a plant, there would be trucks driving down there every day.”
Rubin said the housing had increased neighboring property values.
“Since we built it, their values jumped up at least 50 percent,” he said.
The situation with Edgewater is similar to another development along College Point’s waterfront.
JCH Delta Contracting has requested a variance from the city to build the six-story Water View Plaza, to be used for housing and offices at 14-34 110th St. in a manufacturing zone just a short walk from Edgewater.
The BSA is conducting a round of hearings on the possible variance and has yet to issue a decision.
The proposed construction of Water View Plaza led to a contentious debate in a Community Board 7 meeting in June.
Many board members said additional housing was better than more factories, and CB 7 eventually voted to back the variance.
Reach reporter Alexander Dworkowitz by e-mail at Timesledger@aol.com or call 229-0300, Ext. 141.
