In 2012, the New York City Council approved New York University’s (NYU) Core Plan granting NYU permission to develop new facilities on the two superblocks bounded by West 3rd Street and Houston Street to the north and south, and by Mercer Street and LaGuardia Place to the east and west.

With the guidance of former Council Member Margaret Chin and the City, NYU agreed that in addition to the approved plan, the University would fulfill a series of commitments to the community. These commitments to the community are memorialized in an agreement between NYU and the City, known as the Restrictive Declaration. 

One of the commitments requires 181 Mercer Street to include a space for a community facility tenant. 

NYU is required to present a draft marketing plan for at least  30-days for public comment and review. This  started on October 17, 2022. The comment period has been extended to January 3, 2023.  Comments should be submitted to NYU’s Office of Community Engagement at community.engagement@nyu.edu

Published October 17, 2022 *

Marketing Plan

The marketing plan will be posted on NYU’s Community Engagement website under their Neighbors and Nonprofits web page as well as the 181 Mercer Street academic space projects website and construction website. In addition, we will include the link to the marketing plan in the 181 Mercer Street weekly construction updates that are sent out to the local community (approximately 750+ subscribers). 

NYU Community Engagement will also share the marketing plan with the following: 

  • Community Board 2, Manhattan 

  • Community Board 3, Manhattan

  • NYC Department of City Planning 

  • Local Nonprofit Organizations - Community Fund Recipients and other local organizations 

  • Local Elected Officials

  • NYU Real Estate office to assist in listing the space with brokers

  • Local/city-wide news/media 

Key Space Facts 

NYU is seeking an area nonprofit organization to lease the 750 square foot white box ground floor space at 181 Mercer Street for a community facility rent. The space could be used for community services or office space.

  • Access: Direct pedestrian access from Greene Street Walk (between Houston and Bleecker Streets)

  • Capacity: 54 seated, 73 standing

  • Facilities:  Bathroom (single unit), AV equipment to be built to needs

  • Community Facility Rent: $30/sq ft

Beginning in November 2022, the University will conduct outreach to nonprofit organizations interested in tenancy.  NYU will review tenant applications on a rolling basis for up to one (1) year, unless a tenant is identified before then. 

Application deadline: On a rolling basis until November 2023

Decision date: All applicants will be notified of status once a decision is made

Applications which include the following will be given priority consideration:

  • Services of local community benefit potential (or existing)
  • Collaborations with NYU students and faculty in education, health and mental wellness, and other social services
  • Opportunities to expand services via collaboration with university stakeholders and/or internal/external community members

Interested parties should complete an online submission form detailing:

  • Single paragraph about organization history

  • One-page statement: intention of use

  • Current facility address(es)/and occupancy status (own/rent)

  • Population(s) served

  • Most recent 990

  • Board of Directors Roster

  • Staff organization chart

  • 501(c)(3) affidavit

  • Days/Hours of Operation

  • Expected traffic flow

181 mercer street building render