It’s your chance to speak up before they go up!
Locals can unleash their concerns about the megadevelopment of unprecedented density that builders want to construct on the edge of brownstone-lined Boerum Hill during tonight’s first public hearing about the 80 Flatbush project at St. Francis College in Brooklyn Heights.
Bigwigs at luxury real-estate company Alloy Development want to erect 38- and 74-story high-rises on a lot bounded by Flatbush and Third avenues and State and Schermerhorn streets, but first must get the city to approve on a rezoning through its lengthy Uniform Land Use Review Procedure, which kicks off with this evening’s Community Board 2 meeting after several delays.
The developer also plans to construct a 350-seat elementary school; a new home for the already on-site Khalil Gibran International School; cultural, office, and retail space; and 900 housing units in the two towers — 200 of which will be permanent, below-market-rate apartments that Alloy will create in a recently announced partnership with affordable-housing builder the Fifth Avenue Committee.
Last month, Alloy bigwigs revealed a tweaked design for the shorter tower’s facade, modifying it to more closely resemble that of its landmarked neighbor, the Williamsburgh Savings Bank high-rise.
But many locals continue to blast the developer for using the need for new classrooms in the area as a way to bring its skyscrapers to the traditionally low-rise enclave.
An Alloy rep said it expects to finish the 38-story tower and welcome students to the schools in 2022, before wrapping construction on the 74-story high-rise in 2025 — if given the green-light to break ground.
CB2’s vote to approve or reject the rezoning application is purely advisory, however, and regardless of its decision the proposal will then be considered by Borough President Adams, the City Planning Commission, Council, and ultimately Mayor DeBlasio.
Public hearing on 80 Flatbush Avenue rezoning at St. Francis College Founders Hall (180 Remsen St. between Clinton and Court streets in Brooklyn Heights) on March 28 at 6 pm.
