14-Story Office Tower Would Replace Downtown Brooklyn Preschool

DOWNTOWN, BROOKLYN — Developers have officially unveiled plans for 14-story office building that would replace a preschool on Fleet Place, including the 34-story affordable housing development they plan to put in if the office proposal fails.

The new building, which has been in the works for months, will replace the Duffield's Children Center at 101 Fleet Place. Developers had originally tried to find room for a school in their new plans, but ultimately found that the shape of the building wouldn't allow for the space.

Duffield, which has been struggling to use the large building to its full capacity anyway, agreed to leave by June, officials said at the time.

The new proposal will ask for a zoning change at the property so that development company The Leser Group can build a 14-story office building.

Developers have also included a back-up plan should the zoning changes needed for the 14-story office proposal not pass, though, New York YIMBY reported. The property is already in a residential district.

If the zoning changes aren't approved, Leser's alternate plan would be to build a 34-story residential tower. This option would be 259,000 square feet with 259 units, 25 to 30 percent of which would be affordable. It would also include a parking area for 36 cars.

The zoning changes will face their first public hearing in front of Community Board 2's Land Use Committee this week, which will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday in Room LC400 of the NYU building at 5 Metrotech Center. The application requests changing the zoning district from residential commercial district, including extending the Special Downtown Brooklyn District so that it includes 101 Fleet Place.

It is one of two proposals set for a public hearing at the meeting. Another application will ask that the board support a special permit at 55 Prospect Street to allow for a new gym.