|
Mr. Harris said, “one reason we think the project should be supported is that it will produce a lot of new housing, and the City is desperately short of housing. It will also produce some affordable housing. We will definitely build or preserve the affordable housing required under the inclusionary program, and the development team hopes that before the project moves any closer to completion, there will be a replacement for the expired tax incentive program, which would make it possible to include greater amounts of affordability.” (This was a reference to the controversial 421-a incentive program, which lapsed in 2022.) “Under the old program, we would have built between 150,000 and 200,000 square feet of affordable housing.”
Karen Hernandez, the director of communications and outreach at Stellar, said, “we are looking to improve streetscape on Greenwich. We want to enhance and revamp the experience of Greenwich Street, so that it can put the people and the community first.” This provoked another round of cynical laughter.
City Council member Christopher Marte, noting the packed room and the 100-plus people attending online, observed, “this is an amazing showing. People really care.”
“Right now, I’m against this development,” he continued. “My first question is about commitment. It is typical for a developer, when drafting an environmental impact statement, to say that studies are not necessary for subjects like displacement, shadows, pollution, and traffic. Will you promise not to do this?”
“Absolutely,” Mr. Harris answered.
Mr. Marte pressed, “is there an affordable housing number you are going to commit to publicly?”
Mr. Harris said it was too early in the process to make a precise commitment.
CB1’s vice chair, Alice Blank pushed on this point, noting, “you’re talking about 700 to 900 apartments, and the bonus requires 10 percent of these to be affordable. So this means a maximum of 90 units.”
CB1 member Richard Corman took up this point, saying “ten percent is a joke. And what do you mean by ‘preserving’ affordable units? This is a new building.”
Mr. Harris said that the developer would be permitted to meet the affordable housing obligations with apartments elsewhere in the Independence Plaza complex, or at a separate location entirely.
“So you many not be creating any affordable housing at all in Tribeca?” Mr. Corman pressed.
“That is correct,” Mr. Harris answered.
“Then don’t tout yourselves as creating affordable housing in Tribeca, when you’re not,” Mr. Corman insisted.
Ms. Meltzer said, “we have already seen the deleterious effects of 421-a. No offense, but 421-a sucks in terms of long-term permanent affordability and stability within a community, because it wears off. It’s nothing more than a Band-Aid.”
“You’re building 900 units,” she continued. “When you come back for our next meeting, please find a way to talk about affordable housing in terms of ‘and’ instead of ‘or.’”
Matthew Fenton
| 
