Mayor Open To Giving Armory Project More Money To Win City Council Support

CROWN HEIGHTS, BROOKLYN — Mayor Bill de Blasio on Thursday wouldn't rule out the possibility of pumping more money into a controversial Crown Heights armory development in order to bring more affordable housing to the site and appease the local city councilmember who currently opposes the project.

The city chose BFC Partners to redevelop the vacant armory, on the corner of Bedford Avenue and Union Street, and turn it into a community rec center, office space and a mix of market-rate condominiums and apartments with some affordable units.

The current split in housing — 164 of the 330 apartments will go for market-rate rents — has rankled some in the community, which is experiencing rapid gentrification and development. Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams and Community Board 9 both strongly advised the city to scrap the current plan.

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City Councilwoman Laurie Cumbo initially supported the proposed development but now opposes it, saying the site needs more affordable housing. She soundly defeated her Democratic opponent, Ede Fox, who attacked Cumbo for her initial support of the development and strongly opposed the plan.

Cumbo, who will cast an influential vote on the project as part of the city's lengthy land-use review process, has said she would be open to a compromise before the project reaches her desk.

That could include more money from the city to build more affordable housing at the site, a prospect de Blasio was asked about in an unrelated press conference on Thursday.

"We want that to be the best possible project for the community, we’re going to look at every to improve it," de Blasio responded, according to a transcript sent by his office. "I remind you, it is a project that comes with a lot of affordable housing, and something that the community has wanted for decades, which is a recreation space in that armory."

Cumbo hasn't been explicit in how much more affordable housing she wants to see at the site, but she's made clear that the current split is unacceptable to her.

A push for more affordable units could win her support and ultimately push the development through.

"The plan as it's written now is a sustainable plan that can actually keep that facility open for the community for the long haul at an affordable level," de Blasio said. "That’s what we need to come out of this in the end. But were going to work with the Councilmember to see if there is a way to improve the project that would win her support and be more comfortable for the community."

A spokesman for BFC Partners declined to comment when reached by Patch.

Image via BFC Partners