Coverage of rezonings and plans in the M-CROWN district

As I wrote 3/28/22, beginning a 13-part series (see logo below), "This the first of several articles about the M-CROWN district, just to the east of the Atlantic Yards/Pacific Park site, which deserves more attention, since the cumulative development approved and proposed, however piecemeal, is already significant and controversial."

As it turns out, I had covered the issues intermittently and irregularly, including some in 2021 for Bklyner. But they deserved attention earlier. So this page collects the articles

Original map by Kaja Kühl, adapted in April 2022 to add 962 Pacific; rezonings in light blue
are pending; apartment counts, from Environmental Assessment Statements, include areas beyond
the parcels owned by applicants; 1050 Pacific would now have 234 units and 1010 Pacific 175 units

 

2015-2019

November 29, 2015: Developer buys auto-related lots catercorner to NE edge of Atlantic Yards/Pacific Park, plans apartments on Atlantic

809 Atlantic/550 Clinton

January 11, 2018: New 312-foot residential tower at Atlantic/Vanderbilt would match height of future (bulkier) catercorner Pacific Park tower (see image at right)

March 13, 2018: Catercorner to Atlantic Yards site, 550 Clinton tower tweaked, looks more like 550 Vanderbilt

November 9, 2018: Proposed rezonings for new (mostly) residential buildings at 1010 and 1050 Pacific Street, not so far from AY/PP

August 8, 2019: McDonald’s lot opposite Pacific Park flank eyed for high-rise; expected spot rezoning might exceed Community Board 8's still-significant broader plan

November 25, 2020: New 550 Clinton tower rising at northeast corner of Vanderbilt and Atlantic avenues; would be matched by B10 tower (if/when it's built)

December 7, 2020: Community Board 8 Wary Toward Proposed 18-Story Tower at McDonald’s Site in Prospect Heights (Bklyner)

December 8, 2020: From Bklyner: "Community Board 8 Wary Toward Proposed 18-Story Tower at McDonald’s Site in Prospect Heights" (plus some Atlantic Yards/Pacific Park perspective)

2021

February 14, 2021: YIMBY notices B12/B13 foundations being dug, 550 Clinton topping out

March 10, 2021: Proposed Tower at McDonald’s Site Faces Pushback, Questions Over Ownership (Bklyner)

 
March 11, 2021: From Bklyner: Proposed Tower at McDonald’s Site Faces Pushback, Questions Over Ownership

March 12, 2021: Images from 840 Atlantic Avenue both show and downplay the Atlantic Yards/Pacific Park context

April 9, 2021: Developers Propose Two 17-Story Towers in Prospect Heights/Crown Heights. CB 8 Says Whoa, Gets Backing From Cumbo (Bklyner)

April 12, 2021: A few Atlantic Yards/Pacific Park angles in the latest Atlantic Avenue development proposals

May 10, 2021: CB8 Land Use Committee Votes Against Developer’s Revised Proposal For Tower At Atlantic & Vanderbilt (Bklyner)

April 12, 2021: A few Atlantic Yards/Pacific Park angles in the latest Atlantic Avenue development proposals

June 4, 2021: A curious, unbylined (development-friendly) Eagle op-ed on the 35th District Council race, starting with 840 Atlantic

June 17, 2021: In the 35th, Hudson and Hollingsworth face off, amid questions about development (inc. Prospect Heights) and the future of member deference

June 28, 2021: Another 17-Story Building Proposed for Atlantic Avenue, Near Franklin Ave. Shuttle, This Time in CB 3 (Bklyner)

July 3, 2021: Proposed 1045 Atlantic Ave. advances, with a trim to 145 feet. BP public hearing Wednesday. Affordable housing at 80% of AMI. Upzoning worth $60+ million?

July 3, 2021: “Pro-development” BP Adams, following CB 8, recommends limiting 840 Atlantic proposal to 145 feet (with ≈39% bulk cut); urges deeper affordability

July 4, 2021: More from BP Adams's call for deeper affordability at 840 Atlantic: Pacific Park "affordable" units not geared to those facing most displacement pressure

July 8, 2021: Clickbait from Curbed! "Adams Chooses McDonald’s Over Housing Density in Prospect Heights"

840 Atlantic

September 8, 2021: In reversal encouraged by CM Cumbo, CB 8 *committee* endorses developer's 10% cut in proposed 840 Atlantic tower, gaining commitment for lower-income units

September 10, 2021: In surprise, CB 8 board refuses to endorse Land Use Committee's compromise on 840 Atlantic; resolution next week at Council unclear

September 12, 2021: Revised 840 Atlantic plan on its way, passed by key Council subcommittee, as CM Cumbo ignores CB 8 non-endorsement (despite previous pledge)

November 12, 2021: Did "luck" help an "unheralded developer" win approval for the 840 Atlantic rezoning? TRD's account obscures the strategy and discounts the Council Member's role.

2022

January 15, 2022: 840 Atlantic has new permit filing, indicating two towers instead of one, but that's about it (and McDonald's still operates)

Beginning of series

March 28, 2022: As City Planning calls Atlantic Ave. an "Opportunity Corridor," a gold rush for spot rezonings & new density (+ affordability) in proposed M-CROWN district. A test for new CM Hudson. 

March 29, 2022: The mysterious 840 Atlantic project: filings now suggest two buildings, with more (and thus smaller) apartments. Is affordability locked in? Is it just about 421-a filings?

March 30, 2022: Did Community Board 8's disapproval-with-conditions vote on two proposed towers mean conditional approval? The developers take advantage of "tricky" language. Board leaders/members at odds.

March 31, 2022: In Bisnow, Hudson opposes spot rezonings, citing affordability & infrastructure issues. But two Atlantic Ave. projects now embrace deep affordability. Still, a neighborhood rezoning could do more.

April 1, 2022: When faced with tough questions (MWBEs, union jobs, ROI), developers behind pending rezonings get evasive. One doesn't own the property yet. The other says he does, but won't prove it.

April 3, 2022: 840 Atlantic may qualify for 421-a benefits well before McDonald's case is resolved.

April 4, 2022: In 1010 Pacific rezoning, empty promises (affordability, cultural space, historic facade, unit count) from applicant, who flipped property for huge profit.

April 5, 2022: Council Members Hudson & Ossé, plus BP Reynoso, CB 8 leaders, and others, ask DCP for neighborhood plan that builds on M-CROWN. Impact on pending projects?

April 6, 2022: In 1050 Pacific rezoning, empty promises (all 2-BRs, much commercial space) from applicant, who flipped property for likely large profit.

April 7, 2022: In negotiations over (lucrative) rezonings in M-CROWN district, can more be asked of developers? The discussion at Community Board 8 begins.

April 9, 2022: At Community Board 8, CM Hudson anticipates (wishfully?) a city response on neighborhood plan before Tuesday votes on pending developments

April 10, 2022: At CB 8 Land Use Committee meeting, tensions over petition requesting neighborhood plan, shared goals, and transparency/trust

April 11, 2022: Pratt report: to fight "front-running" land buyers anticipating a rezoning, why not a flip tax or new transfer fee? (Applies to Atlantic Yards/M-CROWN)

April 12, 2022: A 150-unit (pending) development in M-CROWN area, 962 Pacific, would fill in parcel between two rezoned areas; repeat participants, questionable EAS 

End of series

April 13, 2022: After negotiating 35% affordability & $200K to fight displacement, Hudson approves Atlantic Ave. towers at scale requested, gains NYC commitment for neighborhood plan in M-CROWN district

April 18, 2022: Just after CM Hudson announced agreement on upzoning, $14M sale of 1034-1042 Atlantic filed, suggesting large upside. Despite testimony, developer did not own parcel as of March 8 Council hearing.

Screenshot from City Planning Commission session

April 19, 2022: As CPC gives blessing to revised Atlantic Avenue rezonings, more info emerges, but questions remain about enforcement and counter-parties. Nearby property owners to gain.