After the city rezoned Williamsburg, affordable housing was supposed to be built on the grounds of a NYCHA project there. Seven years later, ground has not been broken.
Malik Singleton looks at the many entities to blame for the stalled promises to build much needed affordable housing near rapidly gentrifying Brooklyn neighborhoods.
"Seven years ago, when the city rezoned the Greenpoint and Williamsburg neighborhoods to permit high-rise, high-rent construction on the waterfront, affordable housing was part of the deal. Some 3,500 subsidized units were supposed to be generated through a set of programs—including an agreement by the New York City Housing Authority to construct a new affordable housing development on the 12-acre site of its Cooper Park Houses development."
"Today, high-rises have arrived on the banks of the East River. But nothing has happened at Cooper Houses, as conflicting opinions about what should be built and where have stymied any action."
"Now, as the city rebuilds in Sandy's wake and New York City's major agencies are forced to prioritize new projects related to rebuilding efforts, there is a risk that previously planned initiatives will stall indefinitely—especially those that were already slow going, like the one at Cooper Park Houses."
FULL STORY: Many Are Responsible for Housing Project's Stall
Report: Greenpoint-Williamsburg Rezoning Sparked Growth
An editorial cites newly released analysis of changes on the North Brooklyn Waterfront since a 2005 rezoning.
Is Zoning to Blame for Brooklyn's Affordability Crisis?
As waves of gentrification sweep through the poor and middle class neighborhoods of New York City's outer boroughs, Stephen Smith argues that conservative, and outdated, zoning codes are to blame for the unequal balance between supply and demand.
How New York's Hasidim Solved the City's Affordable Housing Problem
The certainly won't win any design awards, but new multi-family residential buildings erected by Hasidic developers in Brooklyn show that it's possible to build spacious and cheap housing in New York for families small and large.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.
The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs
Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.
DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint
Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)