New York City Council
Subcommittee on Landmarks, Public Sitings and Dispositions
Feb 05, 2025
·
11:00 AM
47 min
Summary
A hearing on two affordable housing projects: The Beacon in East Harlem and 581 Grant Avenue in East New York, Brooklyn.
The Beacon includes 281 affordable units with 37% family-sized apartments and rehabilitation of a multi-service center.
The 581 Grant Avenue project features 73 affordable units, including the first-ever 4-bedroom units in NYC affordable housing, and 8,700 sq ft of community facility space.
Discussions focused on unit mix, affordability levels, local hiring commitments, and potential for increasing housing units under new zoning regulations.
Features presentations from the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), The Community Builders, Thorobird Companies, and Bangladeshi American Community Development and Youth Services.
Meeting chapters
Read summaries and watch videos for short segments that matter to you.
Majority Leader Amanda Farías opens the subcommittee meeting and explains procedures
Majority Leader Amanda Farías opens the meeting of the Subcommittee on Landmarks, Public Sightings, and Dispositions. She explains the hybrid format of the meeting, outlines procedures for public testimony, and …
0:00:36
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175 sec
Introduction and project overview of The Beacon
The Beacon project, located in East Harlem, is presented to the NYC Council's Subcommittee on Landmarks, Public Sightings, and Dispositions. The project involves the development of affordable housing and the …
0:04:53
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33 sec
Site location and context of The Beacon project
The Beacon project is situated at 413 East 120th Street in East Harlem, Community District 11. The development site is strategically located near existing affordable housing developments. - Adjacent to …
0:05:28
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55 sec
Proposed land use actions for The Beacon project
HPD has proposed several land use actions to facilitate The Beacon project, including changes to the city map, zoning amendments, and disposition of city-owned property. - City map change to …
0:06:26
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47 sec
Residential building details of The Beacon project
The Beacon project will create a 21-story, 100% affordable residential building with new indoor and outdoor amenity spaces. The building is designed to be flood-resistant and integrated with the surrounding …
0:07:15
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136 sec
Affordability mix and unit distribution in The Beacon
The Beacon project offers a diverse mix of affordable housing units, catering to various income levels and family sizes. The design prioritizes family-sized units in response to community requests. - …
0:09:33
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46 sec
Multi-Service Center rehabilitation and expansion
The East Harlem Multi-Service Center will be rehabilitated and expanded to better serve the community and existing tenants. The renovation includes new programming spaces and community-use areas. - Rehabilitation to …
0:10:19
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153 sec
Sustainability and resiliency features of The Beacon project
The Beacon project incorporates significant sustainability and resiliency features, focusing on energy efficiency, carbon footprint reduction, and occupant health and comfort. - NYSERDA Buildings of Excellence award winner - Passive …
0:12:59
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92 sec
Coordination with NYCHA for the Beacon project
Council Member Amanda Farías inquires about the coordination between the Beacon project and NYCHA's Wagner Houses. Brian Backscheider from The Community Builders explains their engagement with the Wagner campus on …
0:14:43
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67 sec
Tenant relocation and community space plans for the Beacon project
Council Member Amanda Farías inquires about the plans for current tenants of the community space during and after construction. Brian Backscheider from The Community Builders outlines their approach: - The …
0:15:50
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70 sec
East Harlem rezoning's influence on the Beacon project
Council Member Amanda Farías inquires about how the East Harlem rezoning planning process informed the Beacon project. James Tschikov from HPD explains the connection: - The East Harlem neighborhood plan, …
0:17:01
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53 sec
Unit size and mix in the Beacon project
Council Member Amanda Farías raises concerns about the lack of family-sized units in HPD-led projects and asks about specifics for the Beacon project. Brian Backscheider and James Tschikov provide details: …
0:17:55
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90 sec
Relationship between the Beacon project and Wagner Houses
Council Member Amanda Farías inquires about the envisioned relationship between the Beacon site, its residents, and the existing Wagner Houses. Brian Backscheider from The Community Builders outlines their approach: - …
0:19:25
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77 sec
Affordability levels and AMI concerns in the Beacon project
Council Member Amanda Farías raises concerns about affordability levels and how AMIs have increased faster than incomes in the neighborhood. Melissa Auton from the Department of City Planning responds: - …
0:20:43
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164 sec
Vote outcome on land use items
The land use items under consideration were adopted unanimously and referred to the full Land Use Committee. - Yeas: 5 - Nays: 0 - Abstentions: 0
0:25:09
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11 sec
Majority Leader opens public hearing for 581 Grant Avenue project in East New York
Majority Leader Amanda Farías opens a public hearing for the 581 Grant Avenue project in East New York, Brooklyn. She introduces the pre-considered LU items submitted by HPD, including zoning …
0:25:34
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45 sec
Introduction of 581 Grant Avenue development project
Annabelle Meunier from HPD introduces the 581 Grant Avenue development project, providing an overview of the proposal and the team involved. - Project identified through East New York neighborhood planning …
0:27:20
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92 sec
Requested land use actions for 581 Grant Avenue development
The presentation outlines the specific land use actions requested to facilitate the development of the 581 Grant Avenue project. - Urban development action area designation and project approval, including disposition …
0:28:55
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48 sec
Location and current use of 581 Grant Avenue development site
The presentation describes the location and current use of the 581 Grant Avenue development site, highlighting its proximity to public transportation and ongoing neighborhood planning initiatives. - Site located at …
0:29:43
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68 sec
Coordination with MTA for accessibility improvements
The presentation outlines the coordination between HPD and MTA for future accessibility improvements at the Grant Avenue Subway Station in relation to the development project. - MTA requires a 430 …
0:30:54
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77 sec
Project details and innovative unit mix for 581 Grant Avenue
Thomas Campbell presents the specific details of the 581 Grant Avenue project, highlighting the innovative unit mix and focus on family-sized apartments. - 73 mixed-use, mixed-income housing units - First …
0:32:13
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78 sec
Community facility space and open areas in 581 Grant Avenue project
The presentation details the community facility space and various open areas incorporated into the 581 Grant Avenue project design. - 8,700 square feet of community facility space, partially tenanted by …
0:33:32
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84 sec
Sustainable design elements of 581 Grant Avenue development
The presentation outlines the sustainable design features incorporated into the 581 Grant Avenue development project. - Follows Enterprise Growing Communities (EGC) guidelines - Includes solar panels for renewable energy generation …
0:35:00
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36 sec
Social services and community benefits of 581 Grant Avenue project
Herb Regnier from BACDYS presents the social services and community benefits associated with the 581 Grant Avenue development project. - Expansion of workforce development and after-school care services - Partnership …
0:35:39
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43 sec
Affordability details for 581 Grant Avenue housing units
Annabelle Meunier presents the affordability breakdown for the housing units in the 581 Grant Avenue development project. - Developed under HPD's Extremely Low and Low Income Affordability (ELLA) Program - …
0:36:24
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61 sec
Summary of 581 Grant Avenue development project
Annabelle Meunier provides a concise summary of the 581 Grant Avenue development project, highlighting its key features and components. - 73 affordable rental units developed under the ELLA program - …
0:37:27
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24 sec
Council Member inquires about community engagement and construction method change
Council Member Sandy Nurse asks two questions about the project: one regarding engagement with Community Board 5 and any resulting adjustments, and another about the change from modular to conventional …
0:38:19
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50 sec
Discussion on the shift from modular to conventional construction
Justin Donlon from HPD explains the reasons for changing from modular to conventional construction, citing cost reduction and timeline considerations. Council Member Sandy Nurse asks for specific details on cost …
0:39:09
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133 sec
Local hiring commitments and community engagement
Thomas Campbell from Thorobird Companies discusses the project's local hiring commitments and community engagement efforts. Council Member Sandy Nurse asks for details on the nature and duration of local hiring …
0:41:27
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104 sec
Council Member's remarks on affordable housing unit mix
Council Member Sandy Nurse expresses her appreciation for the inclusion of four-bedroom units and the effort to include more three-bedroom units in the project. She emphasizes the importance of family-sized …
0:43:11
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34 sec
Council Member Amanda Farías questions project details and potential improvements
Council Member Amanda Farías engages in a Q&A session about a development project, focusing on the utilization of an existing parking lot, potential for increasing affordable housing units, and coordination …
0:43:46
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161 sec