Bridge Rockaway: A Blueprint for Affordable Housing and Economic Development

Organization Name: The Bridge and Mega Group

Project Title: Bridge Rockaway: A Blueprint for Affordable Housing and Economic Development

Project Location: 203 Newport Street, Brownsville, NY

Project Description:
As a leader in the industry, Bridge Rockaway is the first in New York City to co-locate new affordable/supportive housing with light manufacturing. Co-developed by The Bridge and Mega, who was also the general contractor, the $118-million complex reimagines the former Fox’s U-Bet Chocolate Syrup factory in Brownsville as a 174-unit residential building, a ground floor light manufacturing center, and community facility space. Greenpoint Manufacturing and Design Center’s Brownsville Industrial Center is a 39,000-sf space divided into affordable workspaces for multiple light manufacturing tenants. Above the ground floor, Think! Architecture and Design created two residential towers with a glass link which connects the buildings and their amenities (community rooms, computer lab, laundry), and embraces a central landscaped 11,000-sf garden, a focal point designed for all age groups for socialization and recreational activities, exercise, and gardening. There is a lobby reception area with 24/7 staffing, and on-site wraparound services provided by The Bridge for 87 formerly homeless adults with serious mental illness, seniors, and veterans. Another 86 affordable units are available for the community.

Community Impact:
Bridge Rockaway delivers a forward-thinking project combining housing with services and economic development for the Brownsville community. This pioneering model paves the way for creating affordable housing on underused manufacturing property while preserving manufacturing uses. It offers a blueprint for future developments in the city, balancing economic needs and social services.

With the goal of bringing both jobs and housing to the Brownsville community, The Bridge and Mega, together with GMDC and Think! Architecture and Design, crafted meticulous plans to incorporate numerous abatement measures to ensure the safe coexistence of residential and industrial tenants under one roof. The Bridge and GMDC expect to create 50 new jobs and generate new economic opportunities for the neighborhood’s businesses and residents. During construction, Mega trained and hired community residents, and The Bridge conducted job fairs and lottery training sessions to inform the local community of the housing and employment opportunities. Bridge Rockaway is an example of a public-private partnership resulting in a new housing model for New York City.

Organization Description:
The Bridge, now in its 70th year, is a recognized leader in developing and operating supportive housing and providing recovery-oriented, trauma-informed mental health and homeless outreach services to New York’s vulnerable populations. Over 4,500 individuals, including 1,700 living in its housing, access its services in Manhattan, the Bronx, and Brooklyn. Mega, founded 30+ years ago, as a reputable and reliable construction company, is a full-service General Contracting, Construction Management and Development firm serving the New York City metro area.

Team Members:

The Bridge-nonprofit co-developer & owner, social service provider, property manager
Mega Group-co-developer and GC
Think! Architecture and Design- architect
GMDC-owner of light manufacturing condo