Fines for unfinished Atlantic Yards housing project on pause
As part of the lawsuit, the developers, Greenland USA, would be fined $2,000 a month if the affordable housing wasn't completed by the deadline.
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The deadline for the Atlantic Yards housing project in Prospect Heights is May 31. But it's nowhere near complete.
"In 2014 our organization and members of the Brooklyn Speaks Coalition, settled a lawsuit with Empire State Development in exchange for a promise that all of that affordable housing would be completed by the end of May of this year," said Gib Veconi of the Prospect Heights Neighborhood Development Council.
As part of the lawsuit, the developers, Greenland USA, would be fined $2,000 a month if the affordable housing wasn't completed by the deadline. But now, that's being put on hold.
"The problem is they saved covering the rail yards and building the deeply affordable housing that's necessary in this community for the end and it still hasn't been done yet." said Veconi.
A spokesperson for Empire State Development told News 12 they aren't waiving or suspending the fines but have instead set up updated deadlines to ensure the project can be fulfilled.
"It never made sense. It was always too highly leveraged," said Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon. "It was never clear that they would ever be able to build this because the finances were never clear."
Community advocates say the area is in desperate need of housing that's truly affordable for all families and the continued delays are only making matters worse.
"Tens of thousands of families have had to leave and those are predominantly, low-income, families, and people of color who can't afford housing costs in this neighborhood anymore," said Veconi.
Empire State Development said they are actively pursuing paths to restart construction, with updated milestones to be met by the end of this year.
