marty_082809.jpgBorough President Markowitz endorsed the Broadway Triangle development plan of Assemblyman Vito Lopez this week, according to The Brooklyn Paper. He also endorsed Steve Levin, a former Lopez staffer, for councilman from the 33rd district. The Broadway Triangle, a 31-acre plot in East Williamsburg slotted for redevelopment that includes 1,851 units of housing, has been an incendiary issue with some locals, who have protested favoritism and exclusion in the planning process. The current plan, pushed through by Lopez’s Ridgwood Bushwick Senior Citizens Council as well as the United Jewish Organizations of Williamsburg, calls for 905 of the 1,851 units to charge below-market rates, whereas opponents of the plan want taller buildings with more affordable units. Markowitz endorsed Lopez’s plan, but recommended certain changes: another 150 units of affordable housing, a method of guaranteeing that affordable housing remain affordable in the long term, and security for displaced businesses. Markowitz also possibly implied that he supports Levin because Levin, in turn, supports the city’s plan for the Broadway Triangle: “I know Steve’s opponents think process is more important than results … but he understands that results are the most important thing.” GMAP
Old Feuds Resurface in a Brooklyn Rezoning Fight [NY Times]
Marty Endorses Lopez’s Pet Projects [Brooklyn Paper]
Markowitz Holds Hearing on Broadway Triangle [Brownstoner]
Broadway Triangle Creates a Wedge in Williamsburg [Brownstoner]
Broadway Triangle: Reverse Class Cleansing in BBurg [Brownstoner]


What's Your Take? Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply

  1. “it make no difference what you say, I am going to oppose it anyway….whatever it is- I am against it”.

    Sounds familiar…its the first time I have heard people asking for something to be bigger.