City plans state-of-the-art engineering and applied sciences campus, offers up to $100 million for top proposal; Sales at the Lenox in Harlem are a go again

The city recently issued a Request for Proposals for Applied Sciences NYC, the initiative to build or expand a state-of-the-art engineering and applied sciences campus in New York City. The initiative seeks a university, institution or consortium to develop and operate a campus in exchange for access to city-owned land. The initiative has the full support of the Bloomberg Administration, which is offering up to $100 million in a competitive process to select the best and most resource-efficient proposal. According to Senator Charles E. Schumer, “…a world class engineering and applied sciences school will only strengthen the city’s position as a leader in high-tech, and a premier destination for the talented and ambitious young people looking to make their mark in the new global economy.” The opening of the first phase of the project is anticipated for 2015.

Sales have started again at The Lenox condominium at 380 Lenox Avenue in Harlem. Occupancy of the 12-story, red-brick condo, which has a roof deck, a 24-hour concierge, attended parking, valet service and a fitness center, began in the fall of 2006 and soon set a record for a condo purchase above 125th Street, selling a penthouse unit for $2.4 million. By August of 2006, 47 apartments at the exemplary Harlem residence had been sold. But in 2007, the developer, Uptown Partners, pulled unsold units off the market, and in March of 2010, filed for bankruptcy protection. The company was recently able to reboot sales of the remaining 18 available units—with asking prices set to range between $630,000 and $925,000—due to a two-year extension under the bankruptcy terms.