257 Driggs Avenue, the address which previously housed the now-shuttered Freddy’s Food Market, will turn into a residential building. Though we reported on this in May, we now have a few more details, thanks to New York YIMBY.
“The proposed 36-foot-tall development will yield 12,493 square feet designated for residential space. The building will have 10 residences, most likely condos based on the average unit scope of 1,249 square feet. The steel-based structure will also have a cellar but no accessory parking. “
A new condo building with no parking will likely fan the fires of discontent that many locals feel toward the lack of both affordable housing and parking spaces.
Let’s face it – Greenpoint needs more housing, ASAP. But 10 more units of luxury housing do little to solve the neighborhood’s (and the city’s) affordability crisis. Those looking to buy already have plenty of local options. But the options for those looking to rent, a much larger group, continue to shrink.
Isaac Rosenberg under 254 Melrose LLC is listed as the owner behind the applications. We’ve been trying to track someone down to be able to confirm the building will, in fact, be condos, but are so far unsuccessful in our search.
What happened to the law that new buildings over a certain size needs parking? Do rules apply anymore? Or do they only apply to small home owners? Just what we need, an overpriced, half-empty condo building. SMH
This is great news. Greenpoint is a predominantly pedestrian community that is very well connected to public transportation, and the future locals will appreciate not having to pay for the parking space they won’t need.
It’s also great to see the construction on this particular block too — with 275 Driggs and 65 Eckford finally under construction, we can will soon have much needed housing instead of the abandoned lots.
We don’t need 10 new luxury units. Continuously building more and more unaffordable condos will do absolutely nothing to help the affordable housing crisis in Greenpoint. We need rent stabilized and subsidized units.
Unfortunately, it is very hard to take calls for “affordable housing” seriously. Lately, this rhetoric has been hijacked by the anti-housing advocates and led to such disasters as building a truck depot instead of an apartment building in Harlem. I am very glad that our local council member didn’t fall for this trick.
One other thing that I’ll add is that Greenpoint is a very desirable neighborhood. People with money want to live here. If we don’t build enough housing, they will be the only who will be able to afford to.
Here, Here, furthermore Freddy’s was such a help to us as our local grocer, especially in bad weather!
We lost a VERY NEEDED CONVENIENCE STORE! Didn’tneedcanother building plus people coming on our block from blocks away to take our direly needed parking spots!
Affordable housing isn’t affordable construction or affordable carrying costs.
Low rents can’t pay for increasing taxes, utilities, insurance, city fees and countless regulations.