Prospect Plaza, three public housing towers in Brooklyn, were vacated in 2003 for refurbishment. NYC has long renovated their public housing towers instead of tearing them down, so the announcement marks a major change for the city.
The city defends its decision from a purely economic standpoint.
Manny Fernandez writes, "Ilene Popkin, the agency's assistant deputy general manager for development, said it would cost $481,000 to renovate each of the 269 apartments. Demolishing the structures and building 361 new units would cost $381,700 per unit. Ms. Popkin and other officials said the three buildings had deteriorated from vandalism and exposure to the elements, and were out of context with the neighborhood. The new apartments - including public and private housing, not only for the poor but also for low-income and moderate-income families - are likely to be built in low-rise buildings."
Thanks to Rachel Thompson
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