With Community Board 7’s deadline to vote on Industry City’s rezoning approaching, two Sunset Park officials are calling on the mayor to send his top advisers to the board to shed insight — and discuss the city’s investments — as residents consider the 172-page application.
Councilmember Carlos Menchaca and CB7 chairperson Cesar Zuniga sent a letter to Mayor Bill de Blasio on Monday urging the city to meet with them prior to Dec. 18 to create a more equitable framework for the expansion.
“We are writing to request meetings with your top advisors on housing, economic development, education, climate resilience, social services and small business services to discuss Industry City’s rezoning proposal,” the letter reads.
“We ask for this urgency as we believe that residents and their community board cannot adequately assess the impact of Industry City’s rezoning without beginning conversations with your administration about the scale and variety of neighborhood investments that can be part of a more comprehensive alternative.”
The correspondence came one week after Industry City’s rezoning application was filed, setting off a seven-month public review of the $1 billion redevelopment that would add roughly 1.3 million square feet of space to the complex by 2027.
Councilmember Carlos Menchaca. Eagle photo by Andy Katz
The plan would upzone 20 percent of the neighborhood’s industrial waterfront property, which Zuniga and Menchaca fear could exacerbate gentrification and displacement in the neighborhood.
“At this moment in our city’s history, major upzonings often induce real estate activity that can have devastating impacts on current residential and commercial tenants,” the letter reads.
“Sunset Park is a community that is predominantly working class, immigrant and majority-minority. We must be extremely vigilant about weighing the local and citywide benefits of this rezoning with the significant negative consequences on our most vulnerable neighbors.”
Menchaca vowed that he would not support the expansion unless, among other requirements, the city increases its investment in Sunset Park. The letter outlines specific requests in need of mayoral support to make the rezoning possible, as well as broader considerations.
Funding a technical high school modeled on the STEAM Center at Brooklyn Navy Yard
Reviewing a legislative package including mandatory job counts by the city for major rezonings
The letter also asked de Blasio’s administration to review:
Significant climate and environmental threats to the industrial, working waterfront
Widespread housing insecurity among working class and immigrant households
Significant underemployment and barriers to quality jobs
Ongoing deterioration of the Industrial Business Zone with significant conversion to non-industrial/manufacturing uses
Industry City CEO Andrew Kimball. Eagle file photo by Andy Katz
Industry City CEO Andrew Kimball put forward the proposal for certification just a month after agreeing to a second delay this year to allow for additional community engagement.
The abrupt filing forced CB7 to call an emergency meeting on Oct. 28 — the same day the application was certified — where Zuniga expressed concerns that they were being rushed. “This takes time, and I just don’t know if the next 60 days is enough time to do what we need to do,” he said. “I’m very concerned about this.”
Community boards are the first party to review land-use applications. They have 60 days to assess it, before providing an advisory decision. It then goes to the borough president, City Planning Commission, City Council and finally the mayor, who generally votes in line with the city council.
SUNSET PARK — “As a resident of Marine Park, one of the great surprises I found biking around Industry City and visiting Japan Village was to discover Bush Terminal Park. I continue to be amazed at the serene hideaways that the city offers in some of the busiest places — and, still, with an iconic view.”
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — ‘A miracle that no one was killed …’ That’s what neighbors are saying about the collapse of the Hotel St. George marquee. Shown in this photograph are workmen beginning the removal and repair of the historic, old neon sign at the corner, referencing a relic of Brooklyn Heights’ past: the St. George Hotel.
ATLANTIC AVENUE — Exhausted shopper with cluster of bags and goods from mall at Boerum Place stops to look at huge construction site across the street. “Is that REALLY going to be a jail??” Her male companion is reassuring, “Nothing like Rikers … this is 21st Century.”
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — Overheard in line at one of most popular pastry outlets on Montague Street: “Hope I can get them into a camp …” A mother with two pre-schoolers in tow was showing a friend the Dodge Y flyer for Healthy Kids Day on Saturday, April 18.
