Bloomberg Backs Off Plan for Private Development of Public Housing Land

"Facing fierce opposition from tenants in public housing projects, the administration of Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg is slowing down plans to lease land in some developments for market-rate apartments," reports Mireya Navarro. 

"Officials with the New York City Housing Authority announced on Friday that instead of requesting formal proposals to build on the grounds of eight housing projects in Manhattan, as previously envisioned, they would first solicit ideas from private developers — so-called expressions of interest — before choosing any construction projects.

"Also," she adds, "while the agency initially focused on leasing the land for residential units, officials are now encouraging proposals that would incorporate retail stores, community facilities and other uses on the ground floors, which many public housing residents favor."

“This isn’t quite a white flag of surrender, but it’s pretty close,” Christine C. Quinn, the City Council speaker and a mayoral candidate, said, adding, “In essence, what they put out was a request for information for the next mayor.”