Defying critics, Board 2 gives thumbs
down to SoHo/NoHo rezoning
BY MARK HALLUM
Manhattan Community
Board 2 members felt
the pressure to vote
against rezoning SoHo and NoHo
during the fi nal meeting on the
proposal within the dimly lit
basement of St. Anthony of Padua
Church on Monday.
After nearly a year of heated
exchanges at public meetings and
in the press, the advisory body
ultimately recommended denial of
the proposal that would allow developers
to build higher than ever
in the already wealthy downtown
enclave – an objective to prompt
more affordable housing in the city.
“The proposed SoHo, NoHo
rezoning fails to achieve affordable
housing goals and instead
incentivizes offi ce, dormitory and
large retail development and will
displace existing rent-protected
and low-income residents,” the
11-page resolution stated, among
other things. “Zoning changes will
squeeze out small retail stores and
negatively impact quality of life for
current and future residents.”
The resolution passed by a
Less chaotic than the June meeting, Manhattan’s Community
Board voted against the rezoning of SoHo and NoHo on July
26, 2021.
nearly unanimous vote.
As the community board
meeting came underway, Mayor
Bill de Blasio appeared on Inside
City Hall and defended his administration’s
plan by claiming
“rancorous” disagreement on the
topic was simply in the nature of
New Yorkers.
“I think that’s just another day
in New York City. There’s been a
lot of passion on both sides. But
the most powerful point here
is, we’ve got to build affordable
FILE PHOTO
housing in the more privileged
neighborhoods too,” de Blasio
said. “This is almost 1,000 units,
1,000 apartments in SoHo, a place
that most working people could
never dream of living. I think
that’s great. And we’re going to
be able to do a lot more to help
small businesses to help the retail
sector that’s hurting, that needs
opportunity in that area as well…
The fact is, a lot of elected offi cials
have said they agree with this. It’s
time to do re-zonings like this in
privileged neighborhoods too.”
The proceedings for the July
meeting were less intense than
that in June which saw attendees
shouting and chanting out of turn
while city offi cials were forced to
simply continue on with their presentation
regardless of whether or
not they were heard.
Now, as the recommendation
from CB2 to not proceed with
the rezoning, the City Planning
Commission could hold its only
hearing on the matter as early
as Sept. 1, according to Village
Preservation Executive Director
Andrew Berman, though there
is another scheduled meeting on
Sept. 22 or later in the year.
A DCP spokesperson, however,
told amNewYork Metro that this
particular hearing has not been
scheduled but will be posted here.
‘Our city will lose
everything’
Nonetheless, Monday’s board
meeting featured plenty of friction
and fi reworks.
One of the fi rst speakers who
identifi ed himself only as Spencer
said he supports the rezoning, but
was shouted down by others who
called him a “shill.” His response
was to challenge any of them to
“talk to him outside” for infringing
on his two minutes.
In contrast, speakers who were
opposed to the plan were interrupted
only by applause.
Former City Council Member
Alan Gerson spoke on behalf of
Sierra Club NYC, explaining that
the construction and density that
would be spurred would not only
generate health problems, but
could supposedly leave historic
landmarks vulnerable.
“I take this personally, but
make no mistake, this proposed
upzoning along with that of the
South Street Seaport Historic
District is a frontal attack on all
historic districts,” Gerson said. “If
we don’t hold the line here, our
city will lose everything that we
value and the very reason for historic
districts in the fi rst place.”
City Hall’s proposal seeks to
change course from M1-5B zoning
currently designed to allow for
manufacturing and joint living/
workspace for artists in sections
defi ned by Canal Street to the
south, Houston Street and Astor
Place to the north, Lafayette
Street and the Bowery to the
east, and Sixth Avenue and West
Broadway to the west.
Battle over East River Park resiliency
project reaches Stringer’s offi ce
BY DEAN MOSES
Fuming Lower Manhattan
residents called upon City
Comptroller Scott Stringer
on Tuesday to halt progress on
the East Side Coastal Resiliency
Project (ESCR).
Ever since the devastation from
Hurricane Sandy wreaked havoc
on Lower Manhattan, a tug of war
has raged between residents and
city agencies over the proposed
East River Park overhaul, which
will lead to an elevation of the
East Side waterfront. Opponents
say the project will destroy the
existing public park and cause
various environmental impacts.
Nonetheless, the city approved
the ESCR, and the plan awaits
Stringer’s signature in order to
free up the funding needed to get
On July 27, members of East River Park Action tell
Comptroller Scott Stringer to stop construction
on East River Park.
it started.
According to the ESCR plans,
the work will raise the ground
PHOTO BY DEAN MOSES
level to prevent fl ooding, protecting
against severe weather
disasters like Hurricane Sandy.
Additionally, the proposal includes
amenities such as a pedestrian
crossing on Delancey Street
and East 10th Street. However,
those who actually spend time
in the park say the groundwork
will decimate the area and even
impact health.
“When they announced this
plan, it involves destroying the
entire East River Park, which is
46-acres and almost 1,000 mature
trees,” said Fannie Ip, a member of
East River Park Action.
The sidewalk outside of 1
Centre Street was overfl owing
with advocates who chanted
“Don’t sign it, Scott!” as well as
“Scott Stringer, kill the contract
not the park” — the rallying cry
from members of East River Park
Action implored Stringer to halt
the lower bidders, IPC Resiliency
Partners, $1,272,221 construction
contract.
They claim the park’s future
is in his hands since he can
choose whether or not to sign it’s
registration.
“We are just telling Scott
Stringer to do one thing: throw
away the pen, don’t sign the contract,”
District 1 New York City
Council candidate, Christopher
Marte said, adding that Stringer
has a legacy of climate justice. “If
he signs that contract, he throws
away that legacy. He throws away
all the good he has done for this
city. Scott Stringer, we know what
side you should be on. Throw away
the pen and stand with the people.”
During the afternoon rally,
East River Park Action delivered
a letter to the Comptroller stating
their case and urging him to withhold
the contract’s registration.
A representative from Stringer’s
offi ce addressed the contract,
saying that they are still reviewing
it and the concerns involved.
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