Menchaca officially approves housing development
Councilmember Carlos Menchaca (D-Red Hook-Sunset Park) on Tuesday announced his support for a rezoning proposal that would bring a 14-story mixed-use housing development with 33 permanently affordable units to 737 Fourth Ave. in Sunset Park.
The councilmember, who has often been critical of development, sees it as a good opportunity for the neighborhood, despite the fact that he believes it “is not perfect” in that plans don’t call for 100 percent affordable units.
“It does represent the clearest example yet of the only thing that will break and reverse the cycle of displacement and gentrification forever — community-driven and accountable development,” he said of 737 Fourth Ave., which would replace a donut shop.
Vivian Liao, principal of Totem, the project’s developer, said she was “excited” with Menchaca’s decision and a City Council zoning subcommittee’s approval of the proposal.