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BOROUGH PRESIDENT MARTY MARKOWITZ —
“GREENPOINT WILLIAMSBURG WATERFRONT REZONING PLAN
NEEDS IMPROVEMENT”

Borough President wants more affordable housing and displacement protection for residents

On Wednesday, January 12, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz recommended that the City Planning Commission and the City Council reject the Greenpoint Williamsburg Rezoning Plan in its current form. The Borough President wants the City Planning Department to include more affordable housing, more open space, job preservation, additional fire houses and improved public transportation.

“I commend Mayor Bloomberg, the Department of City Planning and the Department of Housing Preservation for recognizing that the Greenpoint and Williamsburg waterfront is a treasure awaiting its discovery,” said Markowitz. “However, many members of the community feel that the Administration has developed a proposal for this asset-in-waiting that best serves the constituency of Manhattan — this project must serve all Brooklynites, especially the current residents of Williamsburg and Greenpoint. If I could choose, I would recommend an 80% to 20% solution for housing, eighty percent being affordable to Brooklynites, however, I recognize the harsh economic realities of today and that’s why I have asked for a guaranteed minimum of 30% affordable housing. Also, as the Williamsburg and Greenpoint community grows, more steps must be taken to protect residents from being priced out of the neighborhood. I will continue to work with the Administration and Council Member David Yassky to ensure that the community’s concerns are addressed. I am optimistic that the final plan will reflect all of my recommendations and be celebrated by the Williamsburg and Greenpoint community, and all of Brooklyn, as well as the rest of the City. This opportunity to reclaim our waterfront comes but once in a lifetime and that’s why it must work for Brooklyn today and for generations to come — because once the developers are gone, we will all have to live with this.”

The Borough President’s recommendations include the following highlights:

• The neighborhood needs more open space — a comprehensive renovation of McCarren Park, plans for immediate continuous waterfront access and more parks, specifically in Greenpoint.
  
• Existing businesses and jobs should be preserved — the burgeoning creative economy of small businesses that produce specialty products must be encouraged. The unique synergy of the many creative businesses in Williamsburg and their customer base in Manhattan must be allowed to flourish.
  
• As the community expands, public services must also grow to support the needs of the residents. The modifications include reinstating Engine 212, providing a new ladder company, and establishing a permanent EMS facility.
  
• In terms of transportation, the City needs to work with the MTA to improve subway service on the G and L lines to accommodate all riders.
  
• Lastly, the parcels of land owned by Greenpoint Monitor Museum should not be mapped as new parkland to protect this important cultural institution.

If you would like a copy of the full report please visit the Borough President’s website at www.brooklyn-usa.org.