SoHo/NoHo rezoning plan passed City Planning Commission
BY MARK HALLUM
The controversial effort to
upzone SoHo and NoHo
was approved unanimously
by the City Planning Commission
on Oct. 20, but the motion
hardly refl ects the opinions of the
plan’s loudest opponents.
CPC Chair Anita Laremont
defended the plan which has received
mixed reviews in the effort
to bring 3,500 new homes to the
artist enclaves, with up to 900
units being technically affordable
under the city’s Mandatory
Inclusionary Housing law.
“The SoHo/NoHo neighborhood
plan stands for the idea
that, with focused planning and
robust public dialogue, all neighborhoods
across the City can play
a part in the solutions to the planning
challenges that we, as New
Yorkers, face. By bringing fl exible
and modern zoning to these historic
mixed-use neighborhoods,
the Plan signifi cantly advances
NYC’s equity and inclusivity
goals, helps address our severe
and ongoing housing crisis, and
serves to speed NYC’s economic
recovery,” Laremont said.
Andrew Berman, Executive
Director of Village Preservation,
called on City Council members
to reject the plan once it reaches
A slide presented to virtual attendees of an Aug. 23 meeting in which Manhattan Borough
President Gale Brewer weighed proposal to rezone SoHo and NoHo.
the chamber for a vote in doubt
that housing will be built and
not structures better suited for
offi ce space or retail, rather than
housing.
“It’s shameful but not surprising
that the City Planning Commission,
controlled by the Mayor,
would approve this disastrous
plan that will deliver on none of
its false affordable housing promises,”
Berman said. “It will target
Chinatown for the largest upzonings,
oversized development, and
displacement, and introduce a
fl ood of oversized luxury condos,
big-box chain stores, corporate offi
ce towers, and high-end hotels
to all three neighborhoods. It will
make these neighborhoods richer
and more expensive, and less diverse
and less equitable, in spite of
the Mayor’s dishonest posturing
to the contrary.”
Some concerns voiced over the
long months of public outreach
included the apprehension that
historic sites could be under
SCREENSHOT VIA DCP
threat from real estate developers
who will undermine the character
and appeal of SoHo and NoHo.
Laremont was of the opposite
opinion.
“Critically, this initiative affi
rms that historic preservation
and continued growth can be mutually
benefi cial, especially with
sensible urban design controls
to help weave the new into the
historic fabric,” Laremont said. “It
also offers meaningful support for
the arts in a public-oriented way,
while recognizing the continued
contribution of artists to the vitality
of SoHo and NoHo.”
But the public engagement
process may not have been
impactful enough, according to
Christopher Marte, Democratic
nominee for City Council for the
district currently represented
Margaret Chin, who said the
process should not be pushed
through in the final months
three months of the Mayor Bill
de Blasio’s administration.
“The Department of City
Planning is failing its contractual
duty to listen to and represent the
diverse communities of Lower
Manhattan. Instead, they are siding
with the Real Estate industry
to continue DeBlasio’s sic. displacement
agenda,” Marte said.
“No part of this community engagement
process has been genuine
or in good faith and leaves a
lot of questions unanswered. It’s a
shame that DCP is voting for this
major rezoning with three months
left in this administration, which
will have dire consequences for
decades to come.”
Not is de Blasio out at the end
of this year, but the majority of
City Council members meeting
the tail-end of their term limited
tenures coming at the start of
2021.
Village Halloween Parade ready to scare the yell out of you this Sunday
BY EMILY DAVENPORT
A time-honored Halloween tradition is back and
ready for New York City to embrace the spirit of
the holiday.
The 48th Annual Village Halloween Parade is returning to
the city on Oct. 31 for a night of spooky fun. The parade, which
will be led by Grand Marshal Randy Rainbow, is dedicated to
the children of New York City who were unable to celebrate
Halloween last year due to the pandemic.
The parade will kick off at 7 p.m. and will run up 6th Avenue
from Spring Street to 16th Street. The most crowded spot is
anticipated to be between Bleecker Street and 14th Street, so
you should head over early if you want a good spot to watch
the parade. The parade will be televised on NY1 from 8 to
9:30 p.m.
As usual, the parade is free to the public. However, there are
VIP tickets available for those who want a great vantage point
while watching the parade. If you are looking to join the parade,
there are ticket options available to join different sections of the
parade, or you can show up at the parade entrance. Those who
are participating in the parade must wear a costume.
For more information or to fi nd out how to join the parade,
visit halloween-nyc.com. FILE PHOTO
44 OOccttoobbeerr 2288,, 22002211 SScchhnneeppss MMeeddiiaa
/halloween-nyc.com