Architect Amalek Bey, representing owners Patrice Mahan and Michael Wistock, presented a concept for a 1,620‑square‑foot elevated deck at the rear of 161 River Street that would serve the existing event venue. Bey said the deck would project roughly 30 feet from the rear face of the building and would be a steel clear‑span structure with reinforced concrete decking supported on piers placed outside the footprint of the city water main.
Board members and staff focused on utility and access impacts. The board asked the applicant to provide: (1) the recorded deed or deed chain language that includes any restriction requiring clearance for water‑department equipment; (2) an updated survey that maps the exact location of the 20‑inch water main and any easements; and (3) written confirmation from the water department (TPU/DPU) specifying operational clearance requirements. The applicant said Safe Dig and the city located the water main in the field and that the surveyor will add the locational information to the updated survey. The applicant told the board the proposed piers would be a minimum of five feet from the water main and that the structure is designed for clear spans so there would be no interior bracing that could impede access.
The board classified the project as an unlisted SEQR action, issued a negative declaration, declared the application complete and scheduled a public hearing for August. Members asked the applicant to provide a soils report, stamped structural plans, drainage calculations showing deck runoff tie‑in to the existing swale and the deed/easement documentation. Staff also noted prior action by the Historic Review Commission regarding a fence and exterior details; the applicant said HRC previously reviewed the project in February and that any required HRC certificate of appropriateness documentation will be provided.
Why it matters: The deck would add a substantial structure over a parcel with a major city water main and existing access constraints; the board emphasized maintaining utility access for emergency repairs and ensuring the deck does not create permanent obstructions.
Formal actions: motions to classify the action as unlisted, to issue a negative SEQR declaration, to declare the application complete and to schedule an August hearing — all passed unanimously (4–0 after a fourth member arrived). The board did not approve construction at the meeting; it advanced the item pending the requested technical and documentary materials.
Next steps: applicant to supply updated survey with water‑line location, deed with restrictive language or easement, written water‑department clearance, stamped structural plans and a soils report for staff and board review prior to the August hearing.