Brooklyn, NY - Williamsburg Developer Amends Rose Plaza Project to Appease Council Members |
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News Source: Courier Life By Aaron Short
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This controversial, multi-tower project along the Williamsburg waterfrontBrooklyn, NY - A controversial developer has added more affordable units to his proposed complex on the Williamsburg waterfront, but not enough to satisfy Councilman Steve Levin.
In an attempt to win more support from Councilmembers who will vote on the project later this month, Rose Plaza developer Isack Rosenberg agreed to reduce the project’s size from 801 units to 776, while increasing the percentage of affordable units from 20 percent to 28 percent and doubling the number of family-friendly three-bedroom apartments to 60.
Yet at a hearing of the Council’s Land-Use Committee on Wednesday, Levin (D-Williamsburg) hammered Rosenberg’s representatives over the proposal’s omission of four-bedroom units and chastised them for not getting the affordable housing level above 30 percent.
“The community board and the borough president specifically asked for this,” said Levin. “You determined … that this was something that was not going to be explored.”
Rosenberg’s attorney Howard Weiss defended the project, saying that the levels of affordable housing were consistent with other privately developed sites on the waterfront — and that doing more would cut so deeply into the developer’s profits that the project would not be doable.
“What we’re proposing makes sense,” Weiss said. “The developer will take less of a profit to make [the 28-percent afforable housing set-aside] happen.”
The Council’s debate over Rose Plaza is one of the last steps in a process to rezone 3.7 acres of waterfront property near Kent and Division avenues. The project carries momentum after being approved by the City Planning Commission in March, despite being rejected by Borough President Markowitz and Community Board 1.
The future of the project remains up in the air, as Levin has been lobbying colleagues to vote it down and councilmembers typically vote with the local representative on land-use issues. The Land Use Committee’s vote will likely occur before April 14.
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Read Comments (55) — Post Yours »
1
Apr 08, 2010 at 12:55 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
Mr. Rosenberg please for your own benefit just promise $100,000.00 to the campaign of the Councilman & the affordable housing issue will disappear just like it disappeared by the project in BP
2
Apr 08, 2010 at 01:04 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
this is just להכעיס because he's a chusid of Reb Aharon. Yitchok is a very nice person and is trying to help housing in williamsburg as well as make a profit on his endeavors. Let's all wish him Good Luck and Hatzlocho Rabba.
4
Apr 08, 2010 at 01:08 PM willi guy Says:Report as Inappropriate
shame on you!! mr. levin!!!!!!!!!!!!!
5
Apr 08, 2010 at 01:19 PM Yisroel Says:Report as Inappropriate
I'm amazed, how far this developer has gone to appease the opponents, and they are still with such a hate, even he come up with all the required "meshigas".
Second, the environmental request, and the union contingency was with such "rishas" on another charedi.
Never ever was a heimishe developer required to go trow this hell and torture.
6
Apr 08, 2010 at 01:21 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
cute article!
7
Apr 08, 2010 at 01:47 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
We should all go to protest against Mr. Levin for destroying the fabric of our neighberhood, does anyone know where his office is?
8
Apr 08, 2010 at 01:52 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
Let me tell you something.. I don't believe that he will give even one apartment for low income familys.. He is an investor and not a non profit organization. I support Levin and Mr. Neiderman cause THIS IS NOT BEING BUILD FOR HEIMISHA YIDDEN. This is being built for the low class artists which are infesting williamsburg. Get them out!!
9
Apr 08, 2010 at 01:53 PM david Says:Report as Inappropriate
To all of u!! Y don't u understand when it was the fight for state senator & he was against rabbi Niederman that's was ok but now when its pay back time its not ok??? This is the way by all of them
10
Apr 08, 2010 at 01:53 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
Please don't have rachmunas on Yitzchok Rosenberg--- Donald Trump offered him 200 MILLION DOLLARS!!!!!!! for this property.
Its all about money!!!
11
Apr 08, 2010 at 01:59 PM my letter to levin Says:Report as Inappropriate
Steven,
I am not politically connected, and don't know Mr. Rosenberg myself
However you are my representative and I need to voice my disgust with you.
I think this is the first time that an elected official will willfully vote down a project against the wishes of his constituents All for greed and politicking
you are a disgrace, you are not doing the job you were elected to do, every dog has his day!
do you really think you are invincible? you won the seat by less then a majority and will easily lose it (if not for Abraham who remove some Jewish Votes, you would have lost)
I will make it my business to sent letters to the all local papers on a weekly basis to slam your record.
I will become a volunteer for your opponent whoever it will be.
and I bet I am not alone on this issue.
13
Apr 08, 2010 at 02:02 PM Bar Daas Says:Report as Inappropriate
We all know that our community will not benefit from this development, why should we support this project? Don't you see that we are being forced out of our neighberhood by greedy developers?
14
Apr 08, 2010 at 02:07 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
anyone got levins email address maybe we start emailing him!!
15
Apr 08, 2010 at 02:08 PM yoel from boro park Says:Report as Inappropriate
maybe the new councilman from boro park mr. david greefeild will vote for it - becose rosenberg helped him by the votes in boro park with votes and money
16
Apr 08, 2010 at 02:14 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
Thanks Mr. Levine for working for your neighborhood! Don't let a few wolf's sell off their people and town for a few bucks.
17
Apr 08, 2010 at 02:23 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
Please someone to explain.
is this project being build for the needs of the community?
Need a straight answer. Then we will know if Rosenberg or Niederman is right.
18
Apr 08, 2010 at 02:32 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
Why are they increasing the number of 3 bedroom apartments while reducing the number of available units overall. The community needs more affordable housing and reducing the number of units so some tennants can have an extra guestroom or home office doesn't make sense.
19
Apr 08, 2010 at 02:35 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Please don't have rachmunas on Yitzchok Rosenberg--- Donald Trump offered him 200 MILLION DOLLARS!!!!!!! for this property.
Its all about money!!! ”
Are you suggesting that he is going to make MORE then 200 million dollars from this?
20
Apr 08, 2010 at 02:37 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
it is being built for yhe artists, not for williamsburg
21
Apr 08, 2010 at 02:42 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ We should all go to protest against Mr. Levin for destroying the fabric of our neighberhood, does anyone know where his office is? ”
he protects williamsburg!!!!!!!!!!!!
22
Apr 08, 2010 at 02:44 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ this is just להכעיס because he's a chusid of Reb Aharon. Yitchok is a very nice person and is trying to help housing in williamsburg as well as make a profit on his endeavors. Let's all wish him Good Luck and Hatzlocho Rabba. ”
i remember the aronim made a campaign against the shafer project, why are they now FOR it? they changed minds?????????
23
Apr 08, 2010 at 02:44 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Are you suggesting that he is going to make MORE then 200 million dollars from this? ”
Exactly... And all this people putting insults at niederman and levin are aronim.
24
Apr 08, 2010 at 02:46 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Please someone to explain.
is this project being build for the needs of the community?
Need a straight answer. Then we will know if Rosenberg or Niederman is right. ”
This is being built for non jews and it will ruin the neighborhood. Niederman is trying to save the suituation while rosenberg is trying to make big money....
26
Apr 08, 2010 at 02:53 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ anyone got levins email address maybe we start emailing him!! ”
How about Rosenberg Email so we can ask him to build for the community, and what the community needs.
To # 2 Dont blame everything on politics. You sound to me like one of the people who when being stopped by an Cop for speeding at 90 in a 55 MPH zone with a cell phone, the first thing you would say is that the cop is an Anti-Semite.
To # 3 its not the first time. The first time was Broadway Triangle.
To #15 how did Rosenberg help Greenfeld. As far as I know that fraction supported and voted for the candidate that lost.
#12 You never voted for Levin.
27
Apr 08, 2010 at 02:57 PM hirshel, theantitzemach Says:Report as Inappropriate
I"m sick and tired of "affordable housing" !!
Affordable housing means that people who can't afford to live in New York, don't pay taxes AND cost us a fortune in public schools at 20k a kid, cause crime etc CAN LIVE HERE!
I pay taxes and can't afford to live in New York because of these riff raff.Get lost and go to hell
28
Apr 08, 2010 at 02:59 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ i remember the aronim made a campaign against the shafer project, why are they now FOR it? they changed minds????????? ”
Yitzchok Rosenberg is the rosh hakohal for the aronim so they are trying to help him.
And since neiderman has UJO and they have CJC they are trying to make everything that he wants to get done hard on him. Neiderman is a tzaddik working lashma... aronim... I think I don't have to finish the sentence you all know.
Now one more thing.... how many aronim live if shafer???? once they saw that its getting done they all ran to apply for apartments.
Bunch of crap!
30
Apr 08, 2010 at 03:01 PM aroni Says:Report as Inappropriate
levin you still have my vote
32
Apr 08, 2010 at 03:06 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Exactly... And all this people putting insults at niederman and levin are aronim. ”
Please explain how 200 million will be made from this. If Mr. Trump would have paid 200 million dollars only for the land, then how in the world would he make a profit from this? Please give us dollars and sense.
33
Apr 08, 2010 at 03:14 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
Here you are aroni again... Stop challah dekel!!
34
Apr 08, 2010 at 03:18 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ it is being built for yhe artists, not for williamsburg ”
And whats wrong with "artists" and other creative people. Having a diverse community with people of different backgrounds makes it a better place for ALL of us to live. We don't want to build a new "ghetto" where only yiddin from our own chassidus live.
36
Apr 08, 2010 at 03:36 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
Could someone from NYC explain who are the "aronim"...is that some form of "askanim"
37
Apr 08, 2010 at 03:46 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ And whats wrong with "artists" and other creative people. Having a diverse community with people of different backgrounds makes it a better place for ALL of us to live. We don't want to build a new "ghetto" where only yiddin from our own chassidus live. ”
Do you live in williamsburg???? these people are no artist but a bunch of hippos with earings in the nose and tongues and walking in the streets naket.... almost they way hashem created them... you have to get a strong pair of glasses to see that they are wearing cloths... YOu don't want your kids to see that!!! yes. we want a ghetto of different chassidim not goyim.
38
Apr 08, 2010 at 03:46 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ And whats wrong with "artists" and other creative people. Having a diverse community with people of different backgrounds makes it a better place for ALL of us to live. We don't want to build a new "ghetto" where only yiddin from our own chassidus live. ”
There are many chassidshe artists who also need a place to live.
39
Apr 08, 2010 at 03:59 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
Shame on all of you writing against this project and you low-lives who are personally slandering the Rosenbergs!!! You all seem to have so much time on your hands. Why don't you offer your services to the community the way Mr. Rosenberg has been doing for so many years. He is a hard-working businessman who owns this property for many years. Now that the area has all become residential, why shouldn't he do the same? If he won't build this project someone else will. This is happening all along the waterfront. So don't say that he's changing the makeup of the community. It's already been changed.
Stop with the Chillul Hashem and hatred against your own people. Let's wish them well and look forward to a beautiful view over the waterfront from Division and Kent Avenues.
40
Apr 08, 2010 at 04:03 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Do you live in williamsburg???? these people are no artist but a bunch of hippos with earings in the nose and tongues and walking in the streets naket.... almost they way hashem created them... you have to get a strong pair of glasses to see that they are wearing cloths... YOu don't want your kids to see that!!! yes. we want a ghetto of different chassidim not goyim. ”
Your comment is vile and disgusting....I live in BP not Willy and I'm not a big fan of some of the fringe elements you speak of but the majority of those who would live these apartments here are not some freaks but normal people who just happen not to be orthodox jews.
41
Apr 08, 2010 at 04:13 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Your comment is vile and disgusting....I live in BP not Willy and I'm not a big fan of some of the fringe elements you speak of but the majority of those who would live these apartments here are not some freaks but normal people who just happen not to be orthodox jews. ”
Di veist nisht voos di redst. Normal people, my God? Come and watch them and then we'll talk.
Before you come, maybe you should get yourself educated what the term "hipster" means.
42
Apr 08, 2010 at 04:25 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Please don't have rachmunas on Yitzchok Rosenberg--- Donald Trump offered him 200 MILLION DOLLARS!!!!!!! for this property.
Its all about money!!! ”
That's right & he refused it because he was not looking to get richer at the expense of bringing into Willy the trash that Trump would have. He'll rather settle for less & have people with moral values living there.
43
Apr 08, 2010 at 05:49 PM anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
to number *8 this is not meant for artists its not their style of living,and just like by the schaefer buildings everybody was scared from artists and there isn't even one of them in the rented apartments
44
Apr 08, 2010 at 05:59 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ There are many chassidshe artists who also need a place to live. ”
Don't kid nobody including yourself!
Don't back this project because of political agendas, it's a shame of a project.
45
Apr 08, 2010 at 06:22 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
Na,remember gary schlesinger how hard he fought against l kestenbaum on the kent ave project.so please dont be so worried about chilul hashem
47
Apr 08, 2010 at 06:53 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
exactly!! if he really is such a great person why does he care if someone else is also successful. and why is there so much fighting!!!????!!!!
48
Apr 08, 2010 at 06:59 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
if i remember correctly, mishpacha started off by saying that he is so busy doing chesed that they had to come back 5 times just to get a few minutes of his time. yet its so interesting to see how much time he has to fight against his fellow brothers!!
49
Apr 08, 2010 at 07:29 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
Great Mr Levin for dfefnding your district and its people!!
50
Apr 08, 2010 at 07:34 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Could someone from NYC explain who are the "aronim"...is that some form of "askanim" ”
Absolutely not! Its some form of trouble mekers destroyin askanim.
51
Apr 08, 2010 at 11:13 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Shame on all of you writing against this project and you low-lives who are personally slandering the Rosenbergs!!! You all seem to have so much time on your hands. Why don't you offer your services to the community the way Mr. Rosenberg has been doing for so many years. He is a hard-working businessman who owns this property for many years. Now that the area has all become residential, why shouldn't he do the same? If he won't build this project someone else will. This is happening all along the waterfront. So don't say that he's changing the makeup of the community. It's already been changed.
Stop with the Chillul Hashem and hatred against your own people. Let's wish them well and look forward to a beautiful view over the waterfront from Division and Kent Avenues. ”
First & foremost if you live in williamsburg you should know that nothing goes without a fight. There will always be people who will have a problem with whatever you do.
What bothers me is, that when kaufman was developing the gretcsh building on broadway & berry for the "artisten"the people crusified him there were protest in the street & threats made against him. and now you want everyone to go along with rosenberg eventhough he is building for the same artisten, why the double standard? you cant have it both ways
52
Apr 08, 2010 at 11:21 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ First & foremost if you live in williamsburg you should know that nothing goes without a fight. There will always be people who will have a problem with whatever you do.
What bothers me is, that when kaufman was developing the gretcsh building on broadway & berry for the "artisten"the people crusified him there were protest in the street & threats made against him. and now you want everyone to go along with rosenberg eventhough he is building for the same artisten, why the double standard? you cant have it both ways ”
point well taken. lets hope this building has the same happy ending as the Gretcsh.
53
Apr 08, 2010 at 11:30 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
Fact is, we Williamsburg people feel that developing this project is a betrayal, period.
54
Apr 09, 2010 at 12:39 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ How about Rosenberg Email so we can ask him to build for the community, and what the community needs.
To # 2 Dont blame everything on politics. You sound to me like one of the people who when being stopped by an Cop for speeding at 90 in a 55 MPH zone with a cell phone, the first thing you would say is that the cop is an Anti-Semite.
To # 3 its not the first time. The first time was Broadway Triangle.
To #15 how did Rosenberg help Greenfeld. As far as I know that fraction supported and voted for the candidate that lost.
#12 You never voted for Levin. ”
You are misinformed .Rosenberg was from the biggest supporters for Greenfeld regardless what the fraction voted for and for your information Greenfeld is a very good friend for the Fraction from before and after the votes do some research
55
Apr 09, 2010 at 01:12 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ First & foremost if you live in williamsburg you should know that nothing goes without a fight. There will always be people who will have a problem with whatever you do.
What bothers me is, that when kaufman was developing the gretcsh building on broadway & berry for the "artisten"the people crusified him there were protest in the street & threats made against him. and now you want everyone to go along with rosenberg eventhough he is building for the same artisten, why the double standard? you cant have it both ways ”
btw, The double standard is that all the buildings in the surrounding waterfront projects have been allowed to build with much more leniency, it's only because he's "Rosenberg" that he's being held back with all these unrealistic conditions. All he's arguing in this case is that the property that he owns for many years and ran his business from should be rezoned like all the other commercial properties in the neighborhood!! What will be built on the property and who will live there is not relevant at this point. Anyway, the WillyB residents should be used to the newcomers in their neighborhood by now. They are there to stay and actually not bothering anyone. If they really mind them.... there's always Kiryas Yoel they could move out to!!
56
Apr 09, 2010 at 09:31 AM Willi Developer Says:Report as Inappropriate
Please stop accusing "Levin" He is nothing but an air head and a front runner. He follows the instructions of his master. The famous Jew Hater Vito Lopez. We should ratter go in front of his office and drag him out of our strugling neighborhood especialy when were dealing with housing and he always finds a way how to block us.
57
Apr 09, 2010 at 09:52 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Fact is, we Williamsburg people feel that developing this project is a betrayal, period. ”
uh, how exactly is this project "a betrayal"?????
betrayal to what and whom exactly??
58
Apr 09, 2010 at 10:25 AM Yiddle Says:Report as Inappropriate
Where are the true Leaders and rabbis in williamsburg? Families are breaking up, divorces,machlokes,all because of this crazy idea called I have to live in williamsburg. Its time to open up the eyes of the people and see other jewish communities outside williamsburg where housing is a alot cheaper. Yidden move out of this sick place called willitown
59
Apr 09, 2010 at 11:24 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Di veist nisht voos di redst. Normal people, my God? Come and watch them and then we'll talk.
Before you come, maybe you should get yourself educated what the term "hipster" means. ”
I will still rather live with the hipsters then with the drug dealers we had in the 70's and 80's
60
Apr 09, 2010 at 12:10 PM Abe Says:Report as Inappropriate
As a third generation williamsburger I am seriously thinking now of moving out . This machlokes and infighting in satmar holy willy is starting to affect my mental being. So willy as much as I love you, I will not miss you
61
Apr 11, 2010 at 02:19 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
Mr. Levin where do you live? dont you understand the only way Wiliamsburg can have beter and cheaper housing is by bulding such a huge project.... if you dont allow it you are in the wrong position ...............
62
Apr 11, 2010 at 04:24 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ it is being built for yhe artists, not for williamsburg ”
Please, the artists of this community could never afford a unit in this proposed development (unless they are lucky enough to win a lottery slot for affordable housing). It is being built for a Anyone with enough cash to pay out for waterfront location... it will (as most of the Schaefer Landing) be occupied by white collar professionals who will think of it as a step down in rent cost as they (mostly) move out from Manhattan... they will not feel apart of this community and they will not feel obligated to this community. It is likely they will only patronize their Manhattan shops when they are going and returning from their jobs and not even explore their new neighborhood.