News Sunset Park

Mixed housing development approved by Community Board 7

November 19, 2020 JAIME DEJESUS

A rendering of the proposed mixed housing building at 737 Fourth Avenue. Courtesy of DencityWorks Architecture.

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On Wed., November 18, Community Board 7 voted approved the new mixed-use housing development in the Sunset Park area.

The 737 Fourth Avenue Rezoning application would replace a Dunkin’ Donuts with the housing complex.

A public hearing by Borough President Eric Adams will also be held on Monday, November 30th at 6 p.m.

Locals will have the chance to testify and listen to what is happening.

Development firm Totem announced the housing development states they will bring around 135 one- to three-bedroom units to the Sunset Park community, with nearly 35 units would be permanently affordable through New York City’s Mandatory Inclusionary Housing (MIH) Program Option 1.

“Sunset Park is facing an unprecedented housing crisis, following decades of little to no housing development, that is only going to worsen due to the impact of COVID-19 on individuals and families,” said Vivian Liao, Principal and Co-Founder of Totem. “This project presents an opportunity to transform a fast food parking lot on top of a subway station into homes for local residents at a variety of income levels quickly and without any subsidies from City government, which is now facing severe financial constraints because of the pandemic.”

Totem stated that the project would create several permanent jobs, with many of them going to local residents. The ground floor would include around 12,000 square feet for neighborhood retail, and 10 permanent jobs would be had to operate the building.

In addition, the project will create up to 150 additional construction jobs.

Totem added it is seeking to target lower area median income (AMI) bands ranging from 30% to 60% of AMI. At 30% AMI, the annual income of a family of four is roughly $34,110 a year.

With the Fifth Avenue Committee, neighborhood residents will have assistance navigating the housing lottery process.

However, not everyone is welcoming of the plan.

Earlier this month, opponents took to the streets to protest the building proposal.

“Right now a rich landlord is seeking to replace land for working-class communities to place a big luxury housing tower at the site of the Dunkin’ @ 25th St + 4th ave in Brooklyn,” wrote Asemblymember-elect Marcela Mitaynes, who suggested residents rally to say no to inessential luxury housing.

“A few weeks ago we united to defeat a plan backed by billionaires to rezone and replace our working waterfront with inessential luxury retail, hotels, and offices,” said Sunset Park resident and organizer of group Protect Sunset Park Antoinette Martinez. “Now another real estate speculator is seeking city approval to rezone and replace land intended for working-class people and we’re saying no to inessential luxury housing.”

On Nov. 12, Community Board 7 held a nearly four hour hearing via Zoom for the ULURP of the space.

To join the public hearing by Borough President Eric Adams on Nov. 30, visit https://bit.ly/36RAwNG.

Renderings courtesy of dencityworks Architecture

A rendering of the proposed mixed housing building at 737 Fourth Avenue