After 15 weeks (+ 6 weeks), ESD posts meeting notes; no update on Times Plaza open space, head-in-sand re "affordable" levels at 18 Sixth
Well, they made it just under the annual line.
About two days ago, Empire State Development--the state authority that oversees/shepherds Atlantic Yards/Pacific Park--finally posted meeting notes (bottom) from the 9/14/21 and 11/16/21 Quality of Life meetings--delays of more than 15 weeks and six weeks, respectively.
(Similarly, I wrote 8/31/21 that Empire State Development had finally posted promised notes (bottom) from the bi-monthly Quality of Life meetings 5/11/21 and 7/13/21. When notes are not available for the subsequent meeting, that further dimishes dialogue.)
Why should it take that long for this relatively minimal governmental responsibility to be fulfilled? Are they having every line vetted by legal counsel?
These documents can potentially be important, since they're supposed to contain not merely summaries of the topics discussed but also answers to questions raised but not answered. The answers, however, are limited, in both cases.
Sept. 14 meeting
Q: Has the decibel level of the air horn been measured in relation to the impact on homes nearby? What specific decibel level does the State feel is acceptable inside each home nearby?
A: The decibel levels have not been measured and no specific decibel level or threshold identified.
That amplifies a not-quite-answered question at the meeting.
Q: Why was no Construction Update circulated for the two weeks beginning July 26?
A: The July 26 construction alert was not issued due to an administrative issue.
Or, as stated, a "severe oversight."
A: The 24 parking spaces for the 78th Precinct continue to be available 24/7 at the 535 Carlton Avenue garage.
That is not a fully responsive answer.
Nov. 16 meeting
Q: The Barclays Center recently placed a large advertisement for the Brooklyn Nets on the wall on the east side of the Dean Street entrance, previously not used for advertising. How does this fit into the Design Guidelines? Did they ask for, or get, permission to do this?
A: There was no permission required to place the Nets Logo by the Dean Street entrance of the arena.
That doesn't answer the question about how it fits into the Design Guidelines.
Q: What is the status of the Times Plaza redesign? Why is it delayed?
That doesn't answer the question about how it fits into the Design Guidelines.
A: The Times Plaza is pending DOT approval and coordination with the necessary city agencies and utility infrastructure that would be impacted by the work.
This question was first posed in April, regarding this pending open space.
This question was first posed in April, regarding this pending open space.
Isn't ESD empowered to push city agencies and utilities into coordinating such work?
Q: What is the schedule for the school opening?
A: The SCA is working with the developer to finalize the school’s opening date, which will not be any earlier than September 2024.
That was not inaccurate as of November, but earlier this month I reported that the updated School Construction Authority (SCA) Capital Plan states March 2025, which means the school can't open until September 2025. So that should have been updated in the notes.
Q: The units are being rented at a discount from the allowable rents set by HPD. What is the rationale for that, and for the discrepancies in the discount?
A: 130% of AMI is the allowable rent, and the rents have been set, in coordination with HPD, to reflect current market conditions and the needs in the area.
To "reflect current market conditions" is an acknowledgment that, as I wrote, if the developers were to seek the maximum allowable rent for middle-income units at 130% of Area Median Income (AMI), the "affordable" units would be very hard to lease up.
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| 662 Pacific St. Housing Lottery |
At B15 (662 Pacific St., aka Plank Road), the announced rents, followed by the allowable levels in parentheses, are as follows:
- Studios: $1,547 ($2,263)
- 1-BRs: $2,273 ($2,838)
- 2-BRs: $3,219 ($3,397)
As stated by Rick Mason, Brodsky's Executive Director of Management, "The rents were set after our discussions with HPD [the city's Department of Housing Preservation and Development] and MHANY [Mutual Housing Association of New York], who is our marketing agent, regarding the current market conditions and needs in the area... We adjusted the rent levels to provide for the best possible lottery outcome. So we're hoping to get the units rented quickly."
Q: When is the affordable housing lottery for B4? What is the expected affordability of the units?
A: The affordable housing lottery at B4 is expected to start as soon as HPD issues final approval for the lottery. AMI bands are not yet available.
It's ridiculous to say that "AMI bands are not yet available" for B4 (18 Sixth Ave., aka Brooklyn Crossing), given that the co-developers of the building, Brodsky and Greenland Forest City Partners, had already submitted the application and acknowledged that it would be similar to the middle-income affordable units at B15.
Q: A neighbor reported harassment by an "anti-mask" construction worker? What action did the construction company, developer, and/or ESD take?
It's ridiculous to say that "AMI bands are not yet available" for B4 (18 Sixth Ave., aka Brooklyn Crossing), given that the co-developers of the building, Brodsky and Greenland Forest City Partners, had already submitted the application and acknowledged that it would be similar to the middle-income affordable units at B15.
Q: A neighbor reported harassment by an "anti-mask" construction worker? What action did the construction company, developer, and/or ESD take?
A: The situation was addressed by the Developer and construction team, and there was outreach to the neighbor involved in the incident.
That question was not answered at the meeting. Stating that the "situation was addressed by the Developer and construction team" is not very forthcoming.
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