MTA-owned lot in Crown Heights to transform into housing
Gov. Kathy Hochul announced plans to transform an underused MTA-owned lot on Pacific Street into 300 new housing units, with 75 set aside as affordable housing.
More Stories
Construction work on Pacific Street is already a familiar sound these days, but pretty soon that work will be expanding.
“At this point, we just need housing,” said Jared, a Crown Heights resident. “So it makes the most sense for it to be housing.”
And housing it is.
Gov. Kathy Hochul announced plans to transform an underused MTA-owned lot on Pacific Street into 300 new housing units, with 75 set aside as affordable housing.
“They're reacting versus trying to think ahead,” said Jared. “This should have happened a long time ago. For Atlantic Avenue, a major thoroughfare, to just have tire shops is pathetic. And I'm glad they're doing something now, but obviously, everyone knows how the rent is getting higher and higher. This is all reactionary and late.”
Others say the number of affordable units being built in the area is still not enough to keep up with the existing residents who may be forced to adjust.
“They’re moving everybody out,” said Entrfied McCloud. “And there’s no apology about it. If you own something, then you might have a voice, because they have to talk to you. If you don’t own anything, they can just step on your toes.”
While officials say the project is part of a larger push to address the housing crisis, it’s also meant to improve infrastructure at the Franklin Shuttle located right above the lot.
“It's just going to bring up the rent in the area even more once they fix that,” said another resident. “It looks pretty, but it's going to be some ugly prices.”
“They got to build this building yesterday,” said Jared. “They've got to build ten more like it.”
As the project will keep sparking conversation amongst residents, proposals from developers on how they envision transforming the space are due in May.
