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Renaissance Zone Authority approves two downtown rehabilitation projects; one commissioner abstains
Summary
The Authority approved two rehabilitation applications — a six-story office rehab at 51 Broadway and a two-story rehab at 128th Street South — with staff recommending approval for both. One commissioner abstained from the Broadway vote, citing a shareholder conflict.
The Renaissance Zone Authority approved two rehabilitation projects at its meeting on June 24, 2025, awarding support to a six-story office conversion at 51 Broadway and a smaller rehab at 128th Street South.
Staff recommended approval of the larger application from EWR Fargo Dakota Center LLC, describing the 106,000-square-foot building at 51 Broadway as "half vacant for 15+ years" and noting a current building value of a little over $10 million and a proposed investment exceeding $5 million. The project scope includes interior work on HVAC, electrical, plumbing and life-safety systems, mechanical upgrades, modernization to a class A office standard, and a first-floor retail component; exterior work would include storefront modernization, painting and window repair. "Staff is recommending approval of the project," the presenter said.
A board member moved and a second was received; during roll call one member had previously announced a financial conflict and was recorded as recused/abstaining. The remaining members voted in favor and the chair declared the motion carried.
The second approved application, from JS2L Partners LLP, covers a roughly 9,700-square-foot, two-story building near Island Park at 128th Street South. Staff said the building had been vacant about 18 months, that current building value was roughly $627,000, and that the proposed investment was about $1.3 million. The scope includes a new elevator, new HVAC and electrical systems, window and roof replacement and exterior siding changes. Staff recommended approval, and the motion passed unanimously on roll call.
Why it matters: Both approvals are within the city's Renaissance zone development plan and are intended to bring underused or vacant downtown properties back into productive use, add first-floor retail space and modernize office inventory.
Votes at a glance: For the 51 Broadway application, one member who previously disclosed a shareholder interest abstained/recused and the remaining voting members supported the motion (roll call recorded in meeting minutes). The 128th Street South application passed unanimously on roll call.
The authority has no additional projects listed for the next meeting; members and staff said they will continue to monitor construction and implementation timelines for approved projects.
