NEW YORK'S BERMUDA TRIANGLE?

Statement of Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg:

"When the Broadway Triangle Urban Renewal Area was created 20 years ago, the goal was to promote new industrial and residential development in a largely vacant area that had badly deteriorated. Unfortunately, much of the industrial development never occurred and the Broadway Triangle stagnated. Today, we've re-imagined what the area could and should be, and the re-zoning passed by the City Council will transform a largely vacant and underutilized area into a thriving new neighborhood. It will spur the development of more than 1,800 new housing units, 44 percent of which will be income-targeted affordable housing. And it will lead to more than 100,000 square feet of new retail space, 35,000 square feet of community facility space, and an expanded Bartlett Street Playground, all of which will generate much-needed jobs.

"The re-zoning of Broadway Triangle comes on the same day as another major re-zoning was passed by the Council - the redevelopment of the Hudson Yards. Together with other major projects that are moving forward throughout the City, they show that we are not sitting back and waiting for a national economy to recover but instead are taking actions that will help spur more private investment. At Hunter's Point South, we recently started infrastructure work and received community board approval of our open space plan. At the Atlantic Yards, the bonds for the new arena sold in a matter of hours. At Willets Point, the Economic Development Corporation received 29 responses from private sector entities interested in developing the site. And all of this happened in the last two weeks.

"There is no doubt that the national recession continues to take its toll on New Yorkers, many of whom are struggling to make ends meet. That's why we can't let the downturn derail the public and private investments necessary to create jobs today and build the infrastructure we need for future growth. The milestones we've reached recently - including some major agreements with the City Council - are an indication that our City's best days lie ahead."

Statement of Council Member David Yassky:

"The council vote today will bring 800 affordable apartments to Williamsburg and continue the transition of Williamsburg from an industrial area into a diverse residential neighborhood."

Statement of Assembly Member Vito Lopez:

"I am pleased that the City Council approved the rezoning of the Broadway Triangle today, an underutilized parcel of land in my assembly district. This rezoning will allow for the creation of over 800 units of affordable housing for the residents of Williamsburg, Bushwick and Bed Stuy.  I would like to commend the hard work and dedication of the staff of HPD and the various community participants in this worthwhile efforts."

Statement of Borough President Marty Markowitz:

"I supported this plan because, bottom line, Brooklyn needs more affordable housing built now, and this plan is the most practical way to move forward and get it done. I commend the Mayor, HPD Commissioner Cestero and HPD as well as the City Council for recognizing this, and for acknowledging that new housing will only increase the need for open space in this part of Brooklyn and committing to expand the Bartlett Street playground so the neighborhood's children benefit as well."

Statement of State Senator Martin Malave Dilan:

"Rezoning the Broadway Triangle is critical to providing much needed affordable housing to the low-and-moderate-income families of Williamsburg and Bushwick. What had once served the community as an industrial hub, has since been reduced to a swath of vacant and abandoned lots. Today the triangle provides a unique opportunity to extend quality affordable homes to hundreds of families and reinvest in the nearby community. After many attempts to rejuvenate the area, this is an opportunity we must not pass on. I commend the Department of Housing Preservation and Development, the Department of City Planning, the City Planning Commission, Community Board 1, and the Brooklyn Borough President's office for their hard work and support, and for seeing this plan through to fruition."

Statement of Housing Preservation and Development Commissioner Rafael E. Cestero

"Empty lots and buildings that have been sitting vacant for decades can now be transformed into quality affordable housing for more than 800 New York families thanks to the Council's vote this afternoon. Today we have taken a critical step in our ongoing efforts to not only provide housing to those who need it most, but to develop a thriving community that will support new commercial and economic development, new jobs, and new opportunity here in Williamsburg. I thank the Council for their work in passing the Broadway Triangle rezoning plan, and in particular our partners including Speaker Quinn, Senator Dilan, Assembly Member Lopez, Councilman Yassky, and Borough President Markowitz for their leadership and support."