Latest plans for apartments at Octagon Park will be made public Thursday at 7:00 p.m. in Chapel of the Good Shepherd.  The plan put forward by the Connecticut architectural firm, Becker and Becker, was moved to a front burner recently by RIOC as part of stepped-up moves to market Island properties.

Bruce Becker, President of the company planning construction of two wings approximating the footprint of the city hospital that once stood on the grounds, told the Residents Association Common Council last week (partial transcript of Q&A) that his firm has been working with the Biomedical Research Council toward providing housing for post-doctoral students and faculty at major New York hospitals.

A restored Octagon tower would become available for community use as a library or as a possible home for the Island Historical Society.

Becker said his firm hopes to receive final RIOC Board designation as early as the Board meeting now scheduled for Thursday morning, January 25, at 9:30.

While the firm's initial plan had called for six-story wings, Becker said RIOC pressure for higher density and a higher pay-off has led to development of an eight-story design.  He said one Board member had even suggested a 25-story complex at the site.

The plan currently under consideration would consist of 114 studio apartments (458 square feet each), 225 one-bedroom units (550 square feet), and 22 two-bedroom apartments (800 square feet).  The studio apartments are designed so that they can be combined into one-bedroom apartments.  Monthly rents would range from $1,255 to $2,215.

The apartment mix and the target market drew criticism from several RIRA Common Councilors at last week's meeting.  Joan Christianson told the Becker team the stability of the Island rests on long-term residents.  "We want housing that is going to attract families that are going to stay," she said.  Alluding to the extensive pre-marketing of Southtown to medical professionals, she added, "I am tired of hearing about this hospital and that hospital and buildings that are pre-sold."

Becker responded that his firm has asked RIOC for flexibility in the marketing of the apartments, but added that "the advantage of having a clear population in mind is that it gives everyone involved some certainty about who will live there.  It also allows us to finance the project, because we can make arrangements with the hospitals and basically pre-lease the building."

Other Common Councilors voicing a concern about smaller apartments failing to contribute to the Island's stability included Nneka Pope, Vicki Feinmel, Steve Marcus, and Judy Berdy.  (Click for partial transcript.)

Berdy also criticized the eight-story design as "overwhelming the Octagon" tower.  Becker explained that RIOC has expressed real interest in "maximizing the return" on the property.  In line with Board member Leo Kayser's plan to maximize RIOC's up-front income from new projects, there has been discussion of a $5 million one-time advance payment instead of annual ground rent.

The Becker team said they would break ground about a year after RIOC approval, and would anticipate an 18-month construction schedule.