Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz has officially approved the two massive and controversial developments at 77 Commercial Street and Greenpoint Landing, near the mouth of Newtown Creek, Brooklyn Paper reports. Markowitz greenlighted the project on condition the developers build a 640-seat middle school and increase bus and G train service to the neighborhood. Greenpoint Landing will have 10 towers and 5,500 apartments over 22 acres on the waterfront, and 77 Commercial Street will include two towers rising 30 stories with720 apartments.

Markowitz also backed the affordable housing part of Greenpoint Landing, mandating 100 units out of the 431 affordable ones be reserved specifically for senior citizens and the disabled who don’t earn more than 30 percent Area Median Income, according to his report. The Beep’s vote is just the latest hurdle in the land-use review process, which also requires the approval of the City Planning Commission, City Council, and the mayor’s office. However, his approval goes against the wishes of the community board, which voted down the development plan last month, and a large group of Greenpoint residents who promised to sue the developers. You can read the BBP’s full report here.

Markowitz Gives Thumbs up to Giant Greenpoint Development [Brooklyn Paper]
Battle Over Renderings of Greenpoint Landing [Brownstoner]
Greenpoint Residents to Sue City Over Planned Waterfront Developments [Brownstoner]
Public Meeting Tonight on Greenpoint Towers [Brownstoner]
Greenpoint Board Nixes Waterfront Towers [Brownstoner]
Photo by Park Tower Group Via Crain’s


What's Your Take? Leave a Comment

  1. Adding 10,000 people to 1 subway station is problematic, no matter how many more G trains they run.
    Some of the plans mentioned a new pedestrian bridge to Queens, so many people could walk to the 7 train. That might take 15 minutes or so, but then you get to midtown lickety split.