The city plans to build 880 affordable homes on three separate city-owned sites in Brownsville, announced the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) on Thursday. The developments, that will serve a range of incomes, will bring much-needed space for business, arts, culture and recreation to Brownsville, and include infrastructure upgrades to improve public safety and revitalize the neighborhood.
"As a lifelong resident of Brownsville, I have dreamed of my beloved neighborhood once again becoming a safe and desirable community for its families and a destination attraction for all," said Councilmember Alicka Ampry-Samuel. "Today, I am proud to see those plans finalize with the selection of developers and community-based partners that will create not only newly constructed affordable housing but a cultural arts attraction and urban tech hub that will foster future partnerships."
The projects are part of the Brownsville Plan, a neighborhood revitalization effort called which seeks to add 2,500 affordable homes throughout the neighborhood with an investment of $1 billion that will also address needs like health and safety, education, arts and retail.
The first site, the Brownsville Arts Center and Apartments (BACA), will contain 230 units of affordable housing. The building, located along Rockaway Avenue and Chester Street, between East New York Avenue and Pitkin Avenue, will also feature 24,000 square feet of arts and culture space that will house a dance and performing arts school run by Purelements, a music school run by Brooklyn Music School, a media lab and arts center run by BRIC, and a collaborative black box theater.
Glenmore Manor Apartments, the second development located at the intersection of Christopher Avenue and Glenmore Avenue, will include approximately 230 affordable units and create 20,000 square feet of new commercial and community space that will bring a branch of the Brooklyn Cooperative Federal Credit Union, as well as a sit-down restaurant and salon run by a locally-owned beauty products company to the neighborhood. The site will also provide space for the Central Brooklyn Economic Development Corporation which other community partners to offers services and programming for young entrepreneurs, small businesses and nonprofits.
The third and largest project, Livonia 4, is a multi-site development that will provide over 420 units of affordable housing along Livonia Avenue between Powell Street and Mother Gaston Boulevard, and Livonia Avenue and Amboy Street. With a focus on community health, this project will also include a new supermarket, café and a rooftop greenhouse that will serve as a new local source of fresh produce, as well as a new senior center, and a youth and family recreation facility.
"The Brownsville community worked hard to come up with a comprehensive plan that serves the needs of the community," said Councilmember Rafael Espinal. "I am excited to see the promises of the plan being delivered, such as today's announcement of 880 units of 100 percent affordable housing and job and small business opportunities."
