Developer Bruce Teitelbaum wants city officials to take another look at his plan to rezone a Harlem site on 145th Street.
Last week, he resubmitted a proposal to build a green-energy facility and more than 900 units of housing, half of them below market rates and 30% of those for families making around $50,000 a year.
So far the area’s councilmember, Kristin Richardson Jordan — who rejected the original plan — is staying silent, but some of her June primary challengers, including Assemblymember Al Taylor, are speaking up.
What You Need To Know
- Developer Bruce Teitelbaum resubmitted his rezoning application for a Harlem housing development that includes more than 400 affordable apartments
- Harlem City Councilmember Kristin Richardson Jordan rejected the previous version of the plan and has yet to respond to the new proposal
- Assemblymembers Al Taylor and Inez Dickens, and Yusef Salaam, a member of the exonerated "Central Park Five," are running to unseat Richardson Jordan in the June Democratic primary.
- Last month, elected officials and community members showed new urgency after the developer opened a truck depot in a portion of the site
“I think there’s encouragement, there’s hope. Let’s take it over the finish line,” Taylor said.
Last year, Richardson Jordan’s rejection of the plan, citing gentrification concerns, made the developer withdraw his rezoning application, which had already been approved by the City Planning Commission.
City Council rezoning approval lies with the full chamber, but members have traditionally deferred to the area’s representative to green light or kill projects.
“I think there’s a way to get there without waiting for the City Council to totally make the decision. Let’s partner with the city, let’s partner with the state,” Taylor said.
Also running in the Democratic primary against Richardson Jordan is Assemblymember Inez Dickens, who released a statement that reads in part:
“The starting point for any negotiation is to keep the constructive conversation moving forward. I have a proven track record of success in accomplishing this goal with other projects in my district.”
Another candidate in the race is Yusef Salaam, member of the exonerated “Central Park Five.”
Community members and elected officials became alarmed last month, when Teitelbaum, unable to move his housing plan forward, announced a truck depot on part of the site.
“I am willing to help any way I can to make sure we figure this out. I’m really dedicated to finding a way to get the housing that this site needs and deserves,” said Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine.
The project has already become an important issue in the race to represent Central Harlem in the City Council.
Richardson Jordan has yet to respond to the new proposal.