B
rooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso has weighed in on the contentious Windsor Terrace development, recommending that Apex Development Group's 244-unit proposal not be reduced but instead include more affordable housing. Reynoso suggests shortening the two 13-story towers if they are eventually rezoned, but widening them to maintain the same number of units. This approach would preserve the community's low-scale character.

    Reynoso's recommendation is advisory, but it carries significant weight in shaping the debate and providing political cover for Council member Shahana Hanif, whose sign-off is crucial for the project's approval. Reynoso has emerged as a pro-housing voice in the city, emphasizing that more housing is needed to absorb demand in neighborhoods like Windsor Terrace, which has seen little new development over the past 15 years.

    Reynoso set an ambitious affordability goal of 30-40% of units being permanently affordable, exceeding the city's Mandatory Inclusionary Housing law requirement of 25%. Alternatively, he proposed a two-stage project with one building meeting the MIH standard and the other being 100% affordable. However, this approach could delay and complicate the project due to the lengthy wait for Department of Housing Preservation and Development financing.

    The Magliocco family, which owns the Arrow Linen site, plans to consolidate their laundry operations elsewhere. Constructing a mixed-income building first while awaiting HPD funding would add costs and make it harder to rent the first building due to ongoing construction next door. Council member Hanif is likely to demand more affordable units or lower rents, but has shown signs of supporting housing development to alleviate upward pressure on rents and home prices.

    Apex Development Group remains tight-lipped about their plans, stating that they appreciate Reynoso's review and look forward to continuing the Ulurp process with his office and Council member Hanif.