Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced plans for The Rise, the latest winning proposal under the Vital Brooklyn Initiative that will construct 68 affordable and supportive housing apartments on East New York Avenue in Brownsville.
The Rise will offer an array of health, wellness, employment and legal services.
The Rise will be developed in partnership by Xenolith Partners, LLC, Community Preservation Corporation and Community Solutions International, Inc.
The East New York Avenue site, owned by One Brooklyn Health System, is located on the southwest corner of the intersection of East New York Avenue and Strauss Street in the Brownsville neighborhood of Brooklyn.
As part of the winning proposal, OBHS will house administrative offices on the ground floor of the building.
The Women’s Prison Association and the Osborne Association will also occupy space on the ground floor in order to serve the building’s residents as well as eligible members of the community.
The development will also include space on the ground floor and lower level to be shared by Man Up! Inc. and Community Capacity Development, Inc. Man Up and CCD will provide services for individuals whose lives have been touched by the criminal justice system and fitness classes for youth, adults and seniors.
These services will be available to residents of the development and the surrounding community.
The Rise will feature 68 apartments including one superintendent’s unit. The project will be developed using trauma-informed design, including elements such as a mix of semi-enclosed and open spaces to support varying levels of social interactions, as well as the removal of harsh stimuli such as lighting and wall color.
On-site amenities will include two lounges, a community room, three laundry rooms, two resident outdoor terraces, and bicycle storage.
Free Wi-Fi will also be provided throughout the building for residents and visitors, which is a hallmark of Vital Brooklyn’s commitment to increasing internet access across Central Brooklyn.
The development will also include approximately 10,000 s/f of green space for residents and the broader community to enjoy, including a rooftop farm and greenhouse managed by Project EATS that will provide healthy food options and job training.
Residents will have exclusive access to multiple outdoor terraces that include raised gardening beds.
The Rise has been designed to meet LEED for Homes Gold standards. Rooftop solar panels will serve as the roof for Project EATS’ greenhouse allowing for year-round urban farming programming.
New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, “Supportive housing developments such as this offer individuals exiting the criminal justice system the stability they need to pursue a better future.
“The Rise will bring 68 quality affordable homes to Brownsville along with valuable community services that set individuals on a path toward independence, health and success.”
