Calling all developers: Community leaders in the Bronx are looking for proposals to replace an underutilized garage near Yankee Stadium with a hotel and conference center.
The Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation announced a so-called Request for Expressions of Interest on Monday.
President Marlene Cintron said she’s hoping to attract a major chain or developer that can manage the hotel year-round, for when the Yankees are playing and for when they are not, for destination events like weddings and business conferences.
BOEDC is also asking for a LEED-certified building, with at least one restaurant and possible retail space.
The nearly 750,000 square-foot garage sits between River Avenue, East 153rd Street and East 157th Street.
Jose Rodriguez, district manager of Bronx Community Board 4, said he’s long been advocating for a hotel in the area.
“We have an opportunity here of tying in economic development and tourism,” he said, adding that the development “would definitely be a catalyst for increased development and local, you know, entrepreneurship.”
A spokesman for the city’s Economic Development Corporation said it is always open to “feasible ideas on how to strengthen” revitalization in Bronx.
Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. believes a hotel will create much-needed construction and permanent jobs, and help keep people in the borough after the games.
“This is the first step in making sure that a dream that’s been kicked around for over three decades is materializing,” he said. “That is, to have a world-class hotel right here in the Bronx. We’re the only borough without one.”
The deadline for submissions in November 15, 2011. The BOEDC will then submit the proposals to the city, which will then decide whether to issue a formal request for proposals to develop the site.
