City OKs Rezoning for Massive Rheingold Complex in Bushwick

The City Planning Commission approved a rezoning for a mostly empty industrial site covering at least five large blocks in Bushwick despite residents being upset that the local community board had voted on it behind closed doors. Community Board 4 approved the proposal in June but asked for more affordable housing.

The rezoning will permit 10 eight-story “70-and 80-foot towers, 977 apartments (many of them luxury units), retail, added streets, a school and additional open space,” according to DNAinfo. Only 24 percent, or 242, of the rental units would be “affordable,” said the Daily News. Retail, courtyards, and a garden would take up 54,000 square feet.

A new group called the Northwest Bushwick Community Group has formed to lobby for affordable housing and plans to meet with developer Read Properties, according to the Daily News. The development site is the old Rheingold brewery, which closed in the 1970s.

The rezoning still has to be approved by the City Council. The complex is supposed to be finished by 2016.

City Planning Commission Approves Massive Rental Project in Bushwick [NY Daily News]
Controversial Bushwick Rezoning Approved by City Planning Commission [DNAinfo]
Closing Bell: City Planning Met on Rezoning of Rheingold Brewery Site [Brownstoner]
Rendering from Read Property via New York Daily News