NYC Economic Development Corporation (EDC) announced on Tuesday, May 13, it is now accepting Requests for Proposals (RFP) from developers to design, finance, install, own, operate, repair, maintain, and ultimately decommission roof-mounted and/or carport-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) systems on three EDC-leased sites in The Bronx.

 

The three locations are 600 Food Center Drive in Hunts Point, 1625 Bathgate Avenue and 1701 Bathgate Avenue, both in the Claremont area. EDC officials said the RFP represents over 2.5 megawatts (MW) in renewable generation capacity potential and advances EDC’s objective of enhancing clean energy infrastructure while improving energy grid resiliency across New York City.

 

They said the Bronx Multisite Solar Development RFP builds on the ambitious goals set forth in NYC Mayor Eric Adams’ PlaNYC: Getting Sustainability Done, Green Economy Action Plan, and Hunts Point Forward by furthering New York City’s commitment to sustainability, economic opportunity, and community resilience.

 

“Renewable energy, including the three new solar sites announced today, isn’t just about cutting carbon emissions – it’s about powering up New York City’s Green Economy,” said EDC President and CEO, Andrew Kimball, who, as reported, was recently named in a lawsuit relating to a separate RFP for the Kingsbridge Armory, where a losing bidder alleges unfairness/corruption. Kimball and other City offiicials and the EDC deny any wrongdoing. “With projects like this (the solar development RFP), we’re making progress towards a cleaner, greener, more prosperous future for The Bronx and the entire city,” Kimball added.

 

For her part, Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson, who was also named in the lawsuit relating to the Kingsbridge Armory RFP, also said the three new solar projects moved The Bronx closer to a “greener and healthier borough” while also creating economic opportunities in communities that have “endured the brunt of environmental injustice” for far too long. “These new solar projects will reduce emissions, improve air quality, and bring green jobs to our communities,” she said. “I want to thank NYCEDC for their continued commitment to advancing sustainability and equity in The Bronx.”

 

Announced in 2024 by Adams, EDC, and the Mayor’s Office of Talent and Workforce Development (NYC Talent), according to EDC officials, the Green Economy Action Plan lays out a series of commitments and strategies that will bolster economic growth, create thousands of jobs, encourage public-private partnerships, and train and position New Yorkers, particularly those from disadvantaged communities, to benefit from the nearly 400,000 projected green collar jobs in New York City by 2040.

 

They said that within EDC’s “extensive” portfolio managed leases, approximately 20 assets were identified as opportunities where EDC seeks to eventually directly deploy solar PV (photovoltaic) systems, representing roughly three million square feet of viable space and an estimated solar generation potential of 22 MW.

They said significantly greater solar potential exists across properties through ground and triple net leases, where EDC is actively encouraging and incentivizing tenants to pursue solar deployment, further maximizing portfolio-wide renewable energy generation.

 

Regarding Hunts Point Forward, EDC officials said this project was a comprehensive plan to create economic opportunity and improve quality of life for New Yorkers in the Hunts Point neighborhood of the South Bronx. Announced in 2022 by the mayor and Hunts Point community leaders, they said the plan is backed by a $40 million commitment from Adams, and outlines a 15-year vision shared by the City and the community.

 

They said it has more than 70 short and long-term recommendations for creating “family-sustaining jobs, improving public safety, enhancing community health and access to healthy food, promoting environmental justice, and delivering upgrades to open space, transportation, and other key community infrastructure.”

 

For more information about the three EDC-leased sites in The Bronx, EDC officials encourage residents to visit its RFP webpage. They said EDC will facilitate optional site visits that will take place at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, June 3,  and on Wednesday, June 4. They said responses to the RFP are due by 11:59 p.m. ET on Thursday, July 24.

 

According to the Kingsbridge Armory lawsuit documentation, EDC is a domestic public benefit corporation organized under the not-for-profit corporation law of the State of New York, with a principal place of business in Manhattan.

 

According to City officials, EDC  is a mission-driven, nonprofit organization that works for a “vibrant, inclusive, and globally competitive economy for all New Yorkers.”