Dear John,
Before we dive into this week’s newsletter, I want to wish a heartfelt Ramadan Mubarak to all those celebrating! May this month be peaceful and restorative for you and your loved ones.
Last week, the City Council voted to approve the modified Arrow Linen Rezoning proposal, a significant victory for Windsor Terrace. Through negotiations and extensive community input, my team and I were able to secure a strong proposal that reduced the building height from 13 stories to 10 stories, while maintaining the total unit count through a legally binding Community Benefits Agreement (CBA). This means that 250 new units will be added to the neighborhood, across two 10-story buildings, with 100 of those designated as affordable housing.
Initially, the proposal called for only 25% affordability. I successfully negotiated an increase to 40% of the units being permanently below market rate. This level of affordability—achieved without any subsidies—is a groundbreaking achievement for our city. Notably, over half of these affordable units will be two- and three-bedroom apartments, ensuring that working families can continue to call Windsor Terrace home.
Additionally, for the homes located in the horseshoe shape between the two Arrow Linen buildings and the rent-stabilized building on the west end of the block, we’ve secured a separate R6B zoning designation. This ensures that the height of those buildings will be limited to six stories, addressing concerns raised by neighbors about future speculation and ensuring that the buildings will include MIH (Mandatory Inclusionary Housing) affordability.
The CBA also includes subsidized community space for Sakhi for South Asian Survivors, a partner organization that has been providing vital services and counseling to survivors of domestic and gender-based violence in the District 39 community, particularly in Kensington. This agreement will secure a dedicated home for Sakhi’s work. Additionally, the plan includes a childcare center operated by a local provider. This is critical because housing alone is not enough to address the affordability crisis—families also need access to affordable, quality childcare. Childcare is the second-largest expense after housing, and too many families with children under six are being forced to leave the city for neighboring states. I discuss the need for Universal 2-Care in my recent op-ed in the Daily News.
Moreover, the applicant has committed to establishing a Construction Task Force to engage local elected officials and constituents, ensuring accountability and minimizing disruption during construction. Through our partnership with 32BJ, this project will create good jobs for New Yorkers. Sustainability measures, such as a green roof and stormwater management systems, are also integral to the development. Importantly, the terms of this CBA are legally binding and have been recorded against the property, meaning that if the developer fails to uphold them, they can be held accountable in court.
Without this rezoning agreement, the site would have been developed as a luxury building with no affordable units. Instead, we’re bringing 100 affordable units to our community, in perpetuity, while avoiding the construction of super-tall buildings and preserving the character of the neighborhood.
You can read more about the deal here and watch my interview with News12 for a deeper look at what this means for our community.
I’m proud to have led the charge for this landmark agreement that directly addresses the needs of our community. A special thank you to every constituent who made their voice heard throughout this process—particularly Housing Not High Rises, Community Board 7, and the entire Windsor Terrace community. Your engagement played a pivotal role in strengthening this proposal.
