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Williamsburg, NY - Broadway Street Fight as CB1 Approves City’s ‘Triangle’ Plan |
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North Brooklyn’s Community Board 1 voted 22–12 to support a city proposal to allow two developers to erect 1,851 units of housing units — 905 of which would charge below-market rents — in the 31-acre area of mostly commercial and industrial properties known as the Broadway Triangle.
The vote comes three weeks after CB1’s land use committee supported the rezoning with a number of stipulations.
The convoluted fight over the Triangle — which is bounded by Broadway, Flushing and Union avenues — is as much about planning as it is about power.
Supporters of the city’s proposal say it will provide much-needed units of affordable housing in contextually designed buildings. But opponents, who have drafted their own plan for taller buildings with more units, claim that they were excluded from the planning process.
Such critics also allege corruption between the city, Democratic Party boss and Assemblyman Vito Lopez (D-Bushwick), and two politically connected neighborhood groups — United Jewish Organizations of Williamsburg and the Bushwick Ridgewood Senior Citizens Council — that have been given the first crack at coveted affordable housing contracts.
Before the meeting even began, both sides clashed on the street in front of the Swingin’ 60s Senior Center, waving banners and shouting at the other side.
Inside, the meeting itself remained tense.
“This zoning action asks you to approve a no-bid land giveaway … before you have had even the opportunity to consider the other planning options,” said Councilwoman Diana Reyna (D-Bushwick), a former Lopez staffer who has turned against her mentor over the controversial rezoning. “We deserve an open process where all ideas are considered.”
Luis Garden Acosta, who says his non-profit El Puente was snubbed when the city shaped the plan, demanded that the board vote down the proposal (though the board vote is only advisory).
“You are the guardians of good government,” he said. “If you allow all of these other vested interests to get between you and your office and your mission, then we don’t have a community that can actually drive its own future.”
Those arguments seemed to resonate with board members who expressed concerns about the lack of public hearings and the no-bid disposition of land.
But supporters of the plan declared that the means justify the ends.
“Yes, the process is very important and it should be transparent or whatever, but there are hundreds of families — 50 percent of them from CB1 — who will have an opportunity to have a roof [over their heads],” said CB1 member Rabbi David Niederman, who leads the United Jewish Organizations of Williamsburg, one of the non-profits that given dibs to develop the land.
“If we say no, what that means is going back to the drawing board,” added Niederman, who recused himself from the close vote. “Let’s not come back 25 years from now and still see the blighted area at the Broadway Triangle.”
When it came time to vote, the board supported its committee’s earlier caveats, which sought a cap on the amount of affordable housing built off-site, guarantees of a “transparent” process to eliminate no-bid contracts, a fund to help relocate affected businesses, and a promise that open space will be created in the area.
But the contentious meeting didn’t end with the vote — it continued in the senior center lobby!
After the decision, CB1 member Simon Weiser — who recused himself from the vote due to his past affiliation with the United Jewish Organizations of Williamsburg — and Broadway Triangle opponent Roberto Solano exchanged heated words until they were separated by concerned onlookers.
The Broadway Triangle plan will go before the borough president, the City Planning Commission, and finally the City Council — where the city’s proposal has a foe in Reyna, but a friend in Councilman David Yassky (D-Brooklyn Heights), in whose district the triangle sits.
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Read Comments (38) — Post Yours »
1
Jul 15, 2009 at 09:39 PM DVAR_YOM_BYOMO Says:
Thanks U.J.O. and special thanks for rabbi moshe duvid niderman for helping us, that's a major movement fwd to help stabilize housing issue.
should it be with lot of HATZLUCHA !!!
2
Jul 15, 2009 at 10:27 PM housing Needes Says:
Thanks Reb Shimon Weiser Special assit to Reb Moshe Duvid thanks to you we will have have more housing May hashem bless you
3
Jul 15, 2009 at 10:53 PM Anonymous Says:
Housing for what? For $2000 rent?
4
Jul 15, 2009 at 11:12 PM Anonymous Says:
Where does ujcare stand on that issue?
5
Jul 15, 2009 at 11:11 PM Bob Says:
As you know this idea is going already on for the last 25 years, I am one of the property owners for the last 14 ½ years at Broadway triangle and now the city is just taking away properties, land,with out notification and explanation, because
One of the Jewish organization is just playing politics that a big sham, they should be careful and responsible what they are doing,
6
Jul 15, 2009 at 11:11 PM shame Says:
What a shame, what a power grab, what about land owners who waited with there properties and paid taxes all those years to end like this!!!
7
Jul 15, 2009 at 11:00 PM Anonymous Says:
In the mean time 8 heimishe roperty owners will loose their land trow eminent domain.
I'm not sure its fair, I'm not sure its halachic, and even geneiva.
They put their savings, and invested last few dollars and now comes a organization and want it for themselves.
Nobody want to talk about it, its a terrible situation, when a non jewish organization would do it we would cry and protest.
8
Jul 15, 2009 at 10:17 PM Williamsburge Yid Says:
i can say one thing: thank you rabbi Niderman
9
Jul 16, 2009 at 07:07 AM david Says:
all this dealing was to appease the church in their fight to protect child molestors and the church mayor bloomberg did this with a no bid process project will be delayed in the courts for a long time
10
Jul 16, 2009 at 06:58 AM leib Says:
as a resident of wallabout and marcy ave I am very upset and so are all my neighbors because the entire yiddish area will now change its character with the new comers , Chuchum einov beroishoi
11
Jul 16, 2009 at 07:32 AM chaim Says:
to clarify the issue the city old plan was to take away personal property from all owners in the whole triangle. b'h that didt happen .because of all the shtadlunes of real true askunim the city will if they need it could take away only on one block whare they own a lot of land ,that is the block on garry bartlett . but the qestion is why for what reason did some yiden join with some spanish group to delay the process . but b'h it pased anyway .
12
Jul 16, 2009 at 04:26 AM Anonymous Says:
“ As you know this idea is going already on for the last 25 years, I am one of the property owners for the last 14 ½ years at Broadway triangle and now the city is just taking away properties, land,with out notification and explanation, because
One of the Jewish organization is just playing politics that a big sham, they should be careful and responsible what they are doing,
”
sorry if u will make only $500,000 instead of your dream to make on us poor yiden 2 million so don't sob you didn't lose any money
13
Jul 16, 2009 at 07:47 AM chaim Says:
to clarify the issue the city old plan was to take away personal property from all owners in the whole triangle. b'h that didt happen .because of all the shtadlunes of real true askunim the city will if they need it could take away only on one block whare they own a lot of land ,that is the block on garry bartlett . but the qestion is why for what reason did some yiden join with some spanish group to delay the process . but b'h it pased anyway .
14
Jul 16, 2009 at 07:39 AM jacoby Says:
this news is going to be a disaster for the nearby nice quiet yiddish area . imagin so many thousands of new sleoi mishloni moving in,shaboss will never be the same, summers will never be the same and daily lives will be disrupted
15
Jul 16, 2009 at 08:27 AM Anonymous Says:
Its all politiks we need to move we live here like sardines in a can for top dollar. People stay in the mountains all year
16
Jul 16, 2009 at 08:20 AM Anonymous Says:
“ sorry if u will make only $500,000 instead of your dream to make on us poor yiden 2 million so don't sob you didn't lose any money ”
Who r u to say what someone else can make? Is it permitted to steal somebody's land just because u have the strength and power to do so? Either you pay him what he wants for it or you do without it!
17
Jul 16, 2009 at 08:40 AM shea Says:
If this massive project goes ahead with thousands of goish families moving in it will destroy the yiddish character of the neighborhood, its a shame that yiddish people are having a hand in this,but that what happened in brownswill , the yidden themself destroyed the neighborhood
18
Jul 16, 2009 at 08:54 AM Anonymous Says:
it is stuning and mind bogling to see how a few people just because of politics can try to destroy all. regadless of where u belong rabbi niederman has a record of working without self gain when he worked for 10 years to rezone flushing area he could of become a millionare and he didn't want to buy even 1 lot even though he knew before everyone that the rezonning is coming which subsequently raised the value of the propertys 10 fold. but at the same time rubins vertheimers etc bought up blocks at that time thay where still niedermans buddys so thay had some inside info before hand. now because thay are on the other side thay just come up with such nonesense that the city will take away from property owners and oilem goilem repeats it and it becomes a fact now let me tell u first its a total lie. second if the city wants thay will take it away anyway for the other plans thay have for the area. third as the plan goes now the property owners will only benefit because as of now these lots can't be used because of the current zonning only for commercial and at the current real estate prices thay will get a higher value after the rezoning. why do u think thay didn't build yet on there proprtys. now about the argument that it will change the neighborhood is it better if the city goes with the other plans of building a wallmart? or a other commercial stores ?
19
Jul 15, 2009 at 11:30 PM Anonymous Says:
“ As you know this idea is going already on for the last 25 years, I am one of the property owners for the last 14 ½ years at Broadway triangle and now the city is just taking away properties, land,with out notification and explanation, because
One of the Jewish organization is just playing politics that a big sham, they should be careful and responsible what they are doing,
”
Nobody thinks that you're really a property owner besides you, in any case, if hundreds of Yiden will be able to get an affordable apartment then kudos to Rabbi Niederman! I have family members who live under terrible conditions, large families with 2 bedrooms and high rent, I therefore am greatful to Rabbi Niederman for all his hard work & really hope that some of my family members & other Yiden will get an apartment there and live a little with Harchovas Hadaas, I hear that from all jewish members at CB1 all of them voted for this project besides one person, and those who voted in support include members from Satmar, Klausenburg, Vien, Pupa etc. so I guess if all Yiden there approved it then it must be the right thing.
20
Jul 15, 2009 at 11:25 PM Ken Says:
Guys don’t you worry that munch... Its not going to happen as fast as you think, must elected officials are against this plan, its already in court, we will fight this all the way, together with the property owners of the area....................
21
Jul 16, 2009 at 11:35 AM Sarah Says:
I would rather settle for a wall mart or a one stop kosher supermarket or a home depo for the area .let it stay commercial then change the yiddish neighborhood forever
22
Jul 16, 2009 at 11:33 AM Bechia Ledorus Says:
one of the spanish activists at the community meeting gave a speech and said that this masive new influx of not mesheluno will equalize the chassidic growth and will dilute the jewish vote. Yidden wake up this is blatant anti semitisim, that what they want is to dilute the chassic growth and make us tsuris .Why are yidden supporting this massive influx of goyim to yiddish williamsburg, are we really so dumb that for a nezid adashim that they will throw us we sell our neshomes? The yiddish character of the community will be changed forever . and this activist was right,if we made some progress the last few years then this mass influx of others will dilute the yiddish people and votes for ever...we have to wake up and stop this
23
Jul 16, 2009 at 11:55 AM Anonymous Says:
“ I would rather settle for a wall mart or a one stop kosher supermarket or a home depo for the area .let it stay commercial then change the yiddish neighborhood forever ”
but the city will build anyway on these lots and then u will have even more goiyem? i dont understand the argument about bringing in goiyem if not the ujo plan the city will build anyway !! at least what thay are trying to do is that the jewish comunity should benefit. the sad thing here is that everything becomes politics and if u are a aroiny u have to be automatically against it and if u are a zali u have to be for it. that is so stupid and childish. i as a aroiny am for the plan. maybe mr. niederman mixed politics . but at least when it comes to rezoning he has a better record then my own friends sad to say. remember flushing bedford who worked for self gain? and who didnt? so to all my aroiny and zali friends lets first support this plan then we will work out the details if not we will loose all
24
Jul 16, 2009 at 12:09 PM Yoikel Says:
Totally wrong. this gigantic plan should never be built, Chas vecholila if this plan goes ahead and comes to fruition CHAS VESHOLIM ,it will be lo yeimon ki yesiper we will be chased out of williamsburg they will overwhlem us
25
Jul 16, 2009 at 12:19 PM professor Says:
“ it is stuning and mind bogling to see how a few people just because of politics can try to destroy all. regadless of where u belong rabbi niederman has a record of working without self gain when he worked for 10 years to rezone flushing area he could of become a millionare and he didn't want to buy even 1 lot even though he knew before everyone that the rezonning is coming which subsequently raised the value of the propertys 10 fold. but at the same time rubins vertheimers etc bought up blocks at that time thay where still niedermans buddys so thay had some inside info before hand. now because thay are on the other side thay just come up with such nonesense that the city will take away from property owners and oilem goilem repeats it and it becomes a fact now let me tell u first its a total lie. second if the city wants thay will take it away anyway for the other plans thay have for the area. third as the plan goes now the property owners will only benefit because as of now these lots can't be used because of the current zonning only for commercial and at the current real estate prices thay will get a higher value after the rezoning. why do u think thay didn't build yet on there proprtys. now about the argument that it will change the neighborhood is it better if the city goes with the other plans of building a wallmart? or a other commercial stores ? ”
eminent domain is glorified gneivah. if only one person, i.e. the owner, is against all this it should not go forward. a million people can live off bill gates wealth. is it okay to just take it from him
26
Jul 16, 2009 at 12:57 PM Anonymous Says:
To all self heating yidden who jump before knowing the facets, let me tell you this is the best plan for us just look at the numbers, this proposal will allow developers to build 1,851 units of which 905 units would charge below-market rents.
946 units more then 50% of the rezoning will be developed by private developers.
So let me ask you who own those lots?
And who will end up be living their?
You! Your friend! Your family!
905 unit’s below-market rents 50% of them most go for CB1 residence,
With a maximum height of 7 floors and a large number of 3 or 4 bedrooms with a layout we can live-in.
So 100% of those units we can live-in.
The estimate is that about 60% of the 905 units or more will go to,
You! Your friend! Your family!
That a total of about 75% to 80% of the rezoning.
I don’t know the other plans, but what I know is it’s calling for hi rise buildings, so more then 50% we can not live-in.
27
Jul 16, 2009 at 02:19 PM yochi Says:
velo yetami oid begililiem. Enough already, we are being sqeezed from all side ,the yuppies in the north and now with 10,000 new goim in the south. in yeshaiyoe peruk vov it says " veyonee amos hasafim mikol hkorai" for once lets not be sleeping
28
Jul 16, 2009 at 02:52 PM Anonymous Says:
“ Nobody thinks that you're really a property owner besides you, in any case, if hundreds of Yiden will be able to get an affordable apartment then kudos to Rabbi Niederman! I have family members who live under terrible conditions, large families with 2 bedrooms and high rent, I therefore am greatful to Rabbi Niederman for all his hard work & really hope that some of my family members & other Yiden will get an apartment there and live a little with Harchovas Hadaas, I hear that from all jewish members at CB1 all of them voted for this project besides one person, and those who voted in support include members from Satmar, Klausenburg, Vien, Pupa etc. so I guess if all Yiden there approved it then it must be the right thing. ”
Where were the affordable apartments till now? why can't any yid get an apartment in the projects? That's called affordable. Not paying for an apartment $500,000. This is not a house, an apartment. Where are all the promised affordable housing for the past 25 years? I don't believe a word there saying. Everything is for politics and nobody wants your good.
29
Jul 16, 2009 at 03:28 PM DAILY NEWS Says:
"The people who voted yes sold their soul to a corrupt deal," said Marty Needelman, a lawyer for the Broadway Triangle Community Coalition. "The reasons are political, but the results are racial and religious."
Needelman said the group would bring a lawsuit charging that by leaving out mostly Hispanic groups in Williamsburg and African-American groups in Bedford-Stuyvesant, the city violated anti-discrimination laws.
He said the suit also would challenge the city's finding that towers would be "out of context" in the neighborhood, charging the buildings, capped at eight stories, were being geared toward the area's Jewish families, which can't use elevators on the Sabbath.
"That's the reason why they don't want high-rises. It has nothing to do with the esthetics," he said.
30
Jul 16, 2009 at 03:25 PM Nuchem Says:
in thelim it says " al amcho yarimi sod' Why are a few yechidim allowed to make life decisions that will effect life badly for us? Why? is there such disrespect for us by the our so called community leaders? no one ever consulted us on this massive plan that will change everything here and will also lower our property values .
31
Jul 16, 2009 at 03:11 PM Hentchy Says:
I am a mother who lives near the proposed triangle development, everyone is mad mad, we were discussing of forming a " Mothers against the broadway development" an organisation that will oppose any development on this site that changes the character of the neighborhood , we want our voices to be heard as mothers, our concerns are alot and not everything could be discussed in open forum. Keep Posted
32
Jul 16, 2009 at 05:20 PM Berl Says:
This sellout is going to backfire on Rabbi Neiderman
33
Jul 16, 2009 at 05:06 PM Mendel meir Says:
Raboisa We are guilty of being sheep. Its time now to raise our voices and maybee also our fists to protest against the triangle , the goim that will come in will bring along zehama,drugs,and chol tsri vezov. Raboisa now is the time to derail the tracks so this monster train wreck cant ride anymore, i am ready to demonstrate in front of every office or building even in front of the UJO office
34
Jul 16, 2009 at 06:21 PM DAILY NEWS Says:
“ Raboisa We are guilty of being sheep. Its time now to raise our voices and maybee also our fists to protest against the triangle , the goim that will come in will bring along zehama,drugs,and chol tsri vezov. Raboisa now is the time to derail the tracks so this monster train wreck cant ride anymore, i am ready to demonstrate in front of every office or building even in front of the UJO office ”
Is this what you want?
Opponents said their plan would provide twice as much affordable housing - up to 4,800 units, 75% of them affordable - in buildings of up to 20 stories.
35
Jul 16, 2009 at 06:32 PM Anonymous Says:
Opponents said their plan would provide twice as much affordable housing - up to 4,800 units, 75% of them affordable - in buildings of up to 20 stories.
36
Jul 16, 2009 at 08:28 PM Mechel Says:
its amazing how fast things change , yesterday we were thanking Rabii Neiderman for the 5000 apartments and tonight he is a bad person a villian who wants to destroy williamsburg
37
Jul 16, 2009 at 08:25 PM eS Jay Says:
“ Nobody thinks that you're really a property owner besides you, in any case, if hundreds of Yiden will be able to get an affordable apartment then kudos to Rabbi Niederman! I have family members who live under terrible conditions, large families with 2 bedrooms and high rent, I therefore am greatful to Rabbi Niederman for all his hard work & really hope that some of my family members & other Yiden will get an apartment there and live a little with Harchovas Hadaas, I hear that from all jewish members at CB1 all of them voted for this project besides one person, and those who voted in support include members from Satmar, Klausenburg, Vien, Pupa etc. so I guess if all Yiden there approved it then it must be the right thing. ”
Really? Because our leaders have a true reputation of fighting for the people, and not for their own power and fortune [sarcasm].
38
Jul 16, 2009 at 08:16 PM eS Jay Says:
“ sorry if u will make only $500,000 instead of your dream to make on us poor yiden 2 million so don't sob you didn't lose any money ”
Although you may possibly be right that he haven't lost any money of what he has invested in the property, it isn't Kosher nor fair to write or think this way.
First about your rhetoric. I am no property owner and have no affiliation to any business in the real estate industry. But it isn't the Torah way of thinking to take away someone's property because of your own agenda, regardless of how selfless and helpful your agenda is, regardless of how many poor people will gain through the agenda, and regardless of how much compensation you offer to the owner.
It also is not the American way. Unless you are a socialist, who believes of steeling from the [not necessarily] rich [in this example] and give to the [pretending or choosing to be] poor people.
And now about the financial part. I mentioned that he will most probably get compensated enough money of what he had invested. But what is enough?
If you (or your father) had invested in a life insurance policy at a young age. Can the insurance company offer back all the premiums that has been paid on the account at the time of death? Can I walk out of your china closet with your Menorah and pay you what you paid for it?
So when someone paid a small-looking price for a property years ago when it was called a bad neighborhood or outside Williamsburg, whether he bought it as his potential residence or as a investment to sell in the free market, according to common sense nobody has the rights to take it away from him, not even eminent domain.
Just think about it.