163 Washington Avenue: The Digging Has Begun

Biking to work on Wednesday we noticed that excavation had just begun at 163 Washington, the 18-story as-of-right development that has many in the neighborhood up in arms over both the scale and the lack of affordable housing. Now that they’ve started, you can be sure the developers aren’t going to take their foot off the gas pedal until the foundation is in place to make sure they are grandfathered under the current zoning. From what we hear, after meeting weekly for the past three months Tish James, the group that has been trying to get some compromises out of the developer can see the writing on the wall and is packing it in. Speaking of the rezoning, Community Board 2 met on Wednesday night and voted to recommend approval with two amendments: (1) That two lots owned by Pratt (1905, 40&120)remain zoned R7-1; (2) That the Zoning Resolution be amended so that all affordable housing developed or preserved pursuant to the Inclusionary Housing provision be on the same site as the development receiving the bonus. We also hear that there’s a good chance that City Planning may expedite this one so that it makes its determination before the summer recess. Hence the rush to pour foundations.
Rally at 163 Washington [Brownstoner] GMAP P*Shark DOB
Tower Plans for Washington Ave Ruffling Feathers [Brownstoner]