two_trees_bam_south
Yesterday the City Council approved Two Trees’ proposal to build a 32-story building, alongside a 10,000-square-foot public plaza, at the BAM South Site. Council Member Tish James’s did not win last-minute requests for more affordable housing and higher wages, but she did reach a tentative agreement with the City not to turn the Pacific Street library branch into a private apartment building, a huge point of contention with the community. (Although, as Crain’s pointed out, “a representative for the library said that there were still no guarantees the Pacific Street branch would not be developed, though library officials would engage the city on ways a property sale could be avoided.”) The City Council ultimately approved a plan that reserves 50,000 square feet of cultural space for specific use, not for shops, apartments, or other private developments. And the community will have a say in the programming for the outdoors public plaza. The 300-unit building will include 60 affordable apartments. Two Trees needed City Council approval for a zoning change so it can build 10 more stories on the residential tower and add the community facility space.
Brooklyn BAM Project Wins Approval [Crain’s]


What's Your Take? Leave a Comment

  1. Leticia is an ego maniac and she appears emotionally high strung. The fact is, new people are moving in paying higher rents and the landlords are greatful for it. If people loved the old neighborhood then they invested in it. Owning your own building means you call ths shots

  2. Letitia James negotiated to save the historic Pacific Library from demolition and sell off to private developers for the construction of luxury housing. She negotiated that for us, her constituents, as part of the BAM South deal. Originally, the historic Pacific Library–bequeathed to NYC by Andrew Carnegie–was slated for demolition and sell off. It was saved (for now).

    Many politicians just ignored us because they did not want to cross their real estate campaign contributors, but Letitia James listened to us, and negotiated directly to address our concerns. That was impressive and extraordinary. She’s pretty independent. She seems to fight for what she thinks is right. That’s why people call her names and try to assassinate her character. She’s a rarity in the world today in which the mega-rich and the corporations control the propaganda and have captured the government.

1 2 3 17