Markowitz Holds Hearing on Broadway Triangle

As we mentioned yesterday, the development of a 31-acre plot in East Williamsburg known as the Broadway Triangle has raised strong opposition, with claims of closed-door dealings, discrimination, and favoritism. Borough President Markowitz held a public hearing last night, at which the opponents to the plan greatly outnumbered the proponents, according to The Brooklyn Paper. The city gave the development rights for the project, which includes 1,851 housing units, to the United Jewish Organizations of Williamsburg and the Ridgwood Bushwick Senior Citizens Council in a no-bid contract. Juan Ramos, one of the opponents and the chair of the Broadway Triangle Community Coalition, told the Paper: It’s not about opposing affordable housing … It should be an open and clear process. U.J.O.’s Rabbi David Niederman countered that the rezoning plan, already approved by Community Board 1, was a sincere attempt to create affordable housing for the community. Now, Markowitz must submit his recommendation to the City Planning Commission, after which City Council will vote on it, where it is expected to pass with the support of the neighborhood’s councilman, David Yassky (DBrooklyn Heights).
Broadway Triangle Battle Reaches Marty’s Hearing Room [Brooklyn Paper]
Broadway Triangle Creates a Wedge in Williamsburg [Brownstoner]
Old Feuds Resurface in a Brooklyn Rezoning Fight [NY Times]
Huge Controversy over City’s East Williamsburg Housing Project [Brooklyn Paper]
Broadway Street Fight as CB1 Approves City’s ‘Triangle’ Plan [Brooklyn Paper]
Image by The Brooklyn Paper