The New York City Council on Thursday passed rezoning plans designed to facilitate the creation of up to 3,250 housing units across the five boroughs. Councillors voted in favour of the rezoning application by Gotham Organization for the Monitor Point project in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, as well as Proto Property Services' development at 2950 West 24th Street in Coney Island, Brooklyn. Additionally, the Dewitt Clinton Park North project by Friedland Properties and Chapman Group in Manhattan’s Hell’s Kitchen was approved.
Monitor Point will comprise a total of 1,324 housing units, of which 662 are designated as affordable housing. This figure was raised from an initial 40 percent to 50 percent during negotiations with the City Council committees. The project also includes a new location for the Greenpoint Monitor Museum and a one-acre green space. In April 2025, Gotham Organization had initially planned for 25 percent affordable housing at this site.
Development Details and Negotiations
Brooklyn City Council Member Lincoln Restler commented on the projects at a press conference before the vote. He emphasised that developments on public land must primarily serve the public good. He successfully compelled the developer to create over 50,000 square feet of open space and commit to providing US$300,000 annually for the maintenance of Bushwick Inlet Park. Under a 99-year ground lease with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which previously operated a washing facility at the site, Gotham Organization will construct the homes in two separate towers at 40 Quay Street.
Restler reported that his negotiations with the developers date back to the administration of former Mayor Bill de Blasio, who contacted him to become the public face of the public-private partnership. This occurred between his first election and his swearing-in. Gotham Organization did not immediately provide a statement at that time.
Further Approved Projects
Meanwhile, Proto plans an 18-storey mixed-use building with 408 specialised housing units on West 24th Street in Coney Island. The Dewitt Clinton Park North project comprises two buildings at 801 11th Avenue and 629 West 54th Street in Hell’s Kitchen, with a total of 617 units. Additionally, four smaller schemes were approved on Thursday:
- —1166 Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn's Bedford-Stuyvesant with 144 fully affordable housing units.
- —198-208 Richmond Terrace in Staten Island with 118 units.
- —1160 Pugsley Avenue in the Unionport neighbourhood of the Bronx with 104 units.
- —75-41 164th Street in Fresh Meadows, Queens, with 80 units.
