From The Bridge: Down to the Wire: What’s the Compromise on 80 Flatbush?

From my article published last night in The Bridge, Down to the Wire: What’s the Compromise on 80 Flatbush?:

As the 80 Flatbush project approaches a vote in the New York City Council, District 33 Council Member Stephen Levin, who represents the site, has made a counter-proposal: The developers should cut the controversial, two-tower development’s bulk by one third. While that sounds like a dramatic downscaling of the project’s ambition, it’s a compromise. The size would still be nearly double what’s allowed under current zoning law.
It’s not uncommon for developers pursuing a rezoning to request more than they need, with a scaleback in mind that would allow most parties to claim a win. But 80 Flatbush has been especially contentious, with executives at Alloy Development, backed by many city and business officials, insisting that towers rising 986 feet and 561 feet, accommodating 900 apartments and 200,000 sq. ft. of office space, plus two schools, are appropriate for the site.
Since the judgment of the council member representing the neighborhood tends to carry the day with colleagues, all eyes have been on Levin to see where a compromise might be reached.

For the rest of the article, click here.