QUESTION
How many revisions has the affordable housing project undergone, and what key changes have been made from 2018 to 2024?
0:34:57
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165 sec
The affordable housing project by Gilbane Development Company has undergone significant changes from 2018 to 2024, including multiple reiterations and updates to increase the number of housing units and to revise the building's facade, in response to the demand for affordable housing in New York City and community feedback.
- The project initially planned for around 225 units in 2018 but was expanded to nearly 300 units to meet increased demand for affordable housing.
- Rezoning was guided by the Urban Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP), anticipating R SevenA zoning even before the Request for Proposal (RFP) was issued.
- The building's facade underwent five revisions, reflecting efforts to address community and city criteria for affordable housing development.
- Continuous engagement with the community board and local officials ensured updates and inclusion of feedback in the project's evolution.
- The Department of Housing Preservation and Development acknowledged the project's numerous changes and ongoing efforts to align with council member and community board requests.
Kamillah Hanks
0:34:57
We're now in 2024.
0:34:59
How many reiterations did we have of this project?
0:35:03
Because we're not living in a in a world of 2017 anymore.
0:35:06
And so what how many steps or proposals did we see in that
Katherine Gray
0:35:14
So in 2018, we had a development of about 225 units, and it's it grew in size in part to respond to the demand for affordable housing in New York City.
0:35:31
The Ulerp is following the guidance that came out of the planning process where the rezoning anticipated was identified in the RFP.
0:35:43
So as part of the consultation with the community, there was an under standing that it would go to an R SevenA even before the RFP went out.
0:35:54
And then within that zoning, we realized that we could do more than the 224 units that we could get close to 300 and So we've, you know, that was a conversation with HPD about figuring out how to remast the building, to accomplish that, We have laid out the apartments a number of times as we've evolved.
0:36:24
The size of the building.
0:36:25
We have revised the facade really five times from where we started.
0:36:32
And through that period from 2018 to 2024, we have gone to the community board over time provide updates of where we are so that they could, you know, keep tabs on what we were doing working with people in the community with local elected officials to keep them apprised.
0:36:59
And so the evolution of the project does in part reflect going back to the drawing board to address the concerns that we've heard within the context of the criteria that the city provides for the development of affordable housing.
Arvind Sindhwani
0:37:17
So, Sharon, short, to answer your question, the project has gone through numerous, numerous changes since the Brownsville plan, and since we've started engaging councilor Amelia in the community board, and it's still undergoing changes to make sure that we're honoring the council member's requests.
0:37:34
Throughout the alert process.
Kamillah Hanks
0:37:36
Thank you.
0:37:39
Before I recognize, thank you so much for answering my questions.
