BP Adams Calls For Height Reduction Of 80 Flatbush Development

BOERUM HILL, NY — Borough President Eric Adams called to reduce the height of one of two super-tall towers part of a massive Flatbush Avenue development fiercely opposed by some residents.

Adams' recommendations for the 80 Flatbush development — which would bring a 74- and 34-story tower to the neighborhood — includes shrinking one skyscraper by more than 300-feet and giving affordable housing preference in them to NYCHA residents in Wyckoff Gardens and Gowanus Houses.

"My goal is to realize the perfect combination of addressing the need to create affordable housing — the most critical issue facing Brooklyn — while simultaneously taking into consideration the history of the neighborhood,” Adams said in a statement.

"The voices of Boerum Hill, Downtown Brooklyn, and adjoining communities are reflected in these recommendations, which I hope will be thoughtfully considered as this ULURP application moves through the process."

Developer Alloy wants to redevelop the Khalil Gibran International Academy — bordered by Schermerhorn Street, Flatbush Avenue, State Street and Third Avenue — with a larger building for the academy, a new elementary school, offices and 900 residential units.

As part of his comments, Adams advised the city to set a maximum height of one tower to 600-feet instead of the planned 984-feet by developer Alloy. He also called to move the tower's loading dock to Schermerhorn Street and the elementary school to Third Avenue instead of both being on State Street.

Adams also asked the Department of Education to commit to funding the new elementary school on the site and the developer to help pay for a new subway entrance connected to the Atlantic Avenue/Barclays Center station.

The 80 Flatbush project has been opposed by residents and elected officials who feel it's too dense and tall for the low-rise neighborhood.

The Boerum Hill Association started a petition last year to stop the development and Community Board 2 nearly unanimously voted down the project in May.

Alloy needs a zoning change to build the two towers and Adams' review of the project was a step in the city's long Uniform Land Use Review Procedure. The application will next move to City Planning then the City Council and Mayor Bill de Blasio for approval.

"We appreciate that the Borough President took the time to review our application and that his decision acknowledges the pressing need for the public benefits included in our proposal," James Della Valle, Alloy CEO, said in a statement.

"We also appreciate that the decision reflects the widespread support we've received for the project, both in the neighborhood and citywide. The consensus among those supporters is that building in Downtown Brooklyn along Flatbush Avenue and across from one of the largest transit hubs in the city to deliver much-needed affordable housing, two public schools and cultural space makes 80 Flatbush a model for thoughtful urban planning and development."

Image: Alloy Development