Several publications were reporting the expected defeat of a proposed development project in Manhattan this week. The 15-story project was the first private application of the city's new Mandatory Inclusionary Housing policy.
"A proposed 15-story residential building in a low-rise neighborhood in upper Manhattan has been halted amid community opposition, delivering a disappointment to Mayor Bill de Blasio as he seeks to expand affordable housing throughout the city," report Sally Goldenberg and Abby Baird.
Councilmember Ydanis Rodriguez invoked the specter of gentrification in voicing his opposition to the project. "Hundreds of residents" joined Rodriguez to protest the proposed development before the City Council vote.
"While the building would not have put a sizable dent in the mayor's goal of creating 80,000 new low- to middle-income apartments, it was symbolically significant," report Goldeberg and Baird. "It marked first private application under the city's new Mandatory Inclusionary Housing policy, which passed the City Council in March."
Instead of building the larger building, which would have included 178 new below-market-rate apartments, the developer could potentially now build a 14-story building with zero affordable units without seeking city approvals.
Audrey Wachs also reports on the failed development proposal, providing additional details about the rezoning necessary to build the defeated proposal.
Spiting Mandatory Inclusionary Housing to Save Mandatory Inclusionary Housing
The question of whether New York City's new mandatory inclusionary housing policy should apply to a 17-story project in Manhattan could have wide-ranging implications.
New York City Council Approves Sweeping Zoning Changes
Politico New York reports all the important details on a big day for planning in New York City—as the City Council overwhelmingly approved two controversial zoning changes to help spur the construction of affordable housing.
Explained: East New York's Big Zoning Changes
Some residents of East New York argue that mandatory inclusionary zoning and other changes proposed for the neighborhood will only help displace low-income residents.
Depopulation Patterns Get Weird
A recent ranking of “declining” cities heavily features some of the most expensive cities in the country — including New York City and a half-dozen in the San Francisco Bay Area.
California Exodus: Population Drops Below 39 Million
Never mind the 40 million that demographers predicted the Golden State would reach by 2018. The state's population dipped below 39 million to 38.965 million last July, according to Census data released in March, the lowest since 2015.
Chicago to Turn High-Rise Offices into Housing
Four commercial buildings in the Chicago Loop have been approved for redevelopment into housing in a bid to revitalize the city’s downtown post-pandemic.
Google Maps Introduces New Transit, EV Features
It will now be easier to find electric car charging stations and transit options.
Ohio Lawmakers Propose Incentivizing Housing Production
A proposed bill would take a carrot approach to stimulating housing production through a grant program that would reward cities that implement pro-housing policies.
Chicago Awarded $2M Reconnecting Communities Grant
Community advocates say the city’s plan may not do enough to reverse the negative impacts of a major expressway.
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