Developers, Locals Face Off at CB3 Tonight Over Two Bridges Mega-Towers
Rendering shows Two Bridges waterfront with several proposed large-scale buildings. Credit: SHoP Architects.
The battle for Two Bridges returns to Community Board 3 tonight.
Developers of three proposed mega-towers will present the findings of their environmental review and answer questions about proposed mitigations for the large-scale projects.
There was outrage last month when the city released the Two Bridges Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), which signaled the start of the public land use review process for the towers. After elected officials and the community board complained about the initial timetable, which would have required CB3 to weigh in on the EIS during the summer, the City Planning Commission relented. A vote is not expected at CB3 until September.
According to the Draft EIS, the projects would add 2,775 mostly market rate rental units to the historically low-income Two Bridges area. 694 apartments (25%) would be designated as permanently affordable, with 200 of those set aside for low-income seniors. The developers are JDS Development Group, a partnership between L+M Development Partners and the CIM Group and The Starrett Group. Their four proposed towers, stretching from Rutgers Street to Clinton Street would range in height between 63-80 stories, dwarfing everything in the neighborhood except for Extell’s massive One Manhattan Square.
The Draft EIS spells out the various impacts the towers are likely to have on local infrastructure, transportation, schools and neighborhood character. Proposed mitigations include a $40 million upgrade of the East Broadway F Train station and improvements to several parks.
Local residents are dead set against the projects, and are pursuing a rezoning of the area to block construction. Local elected officials are pushing for a zoning text amendment to require a full ULURP, a land use review that would require City Council approval.
Tonight’s meeting will take place at 6:30 p.m. at Henry Street Settlement, 301 Henry St.