Neighbors say gentrification in Crown Heights unavoidable after Empire Boulevard rezoning plan passes next phase
A total of 78 of the residential units will be reserved for affordable and income-controlled apartments.
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The Empire Boulevard rezoning development project is underway in Crown Heights after the City Planning Commission unanimously passed its vote Wednesday on the project.
It would turn a mostly abandoned lot wedged between Empire Boulevard and McKeever and Sullivan places into a 13-story building, with 261 residential units and room for commercial space, food, outlets, and retailers.
A total of 78 of the residential units will be reserved for affordable and income-controlled apartments.
Neighbors in the area say that is not enough.
Trish Kenner tells News 12 she has lived in the neighborhood for over 50 years. She says projects like these only contribute to her neighborhood gentrification.
She feels it's been most prominent within the last three years and she doesn't see it anytime soon.
Every resident who News 12 spoke to say they were not in favor of the rezoning.
Michael Berfield, the developer, believes this development will bring great opportunity to the community, along with affordable options and stimulate the local economy.
He said he understands the communities fear that 78 affordable units are not enough, though he says he intends to add more.
Neighbors say they are skeptical that that will happen.
Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso also expressed his full support for the project. His one condition is that the developers work with the local community to fix shadowing that may result from the building onto the nearby school's basketball court.
The City Council will get its final say on this development in the coming months, followed by a mayoral vote.
