Recent proposals to the New York City Department of City Planning could facilitate the construction of a 1.4 million square foot, mixed-use project in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. If approved, the massive plan could yield one of the community’s largest-ever developments.

The assembled parcels, referred to simply as 960 Franklin Avenue, were purchased in a partnership by Bruce Eichner’s Continuum Company and Joel Bergstein’s Lincoln Equities. Further funding for the project would be sourced from a combination of state and federal programs for affordable housing developments in addition to privately acquired capital.

Located just East of the Brooklyn Botanical Garden and Prospect Park, the development would include the construction of two mixed-use buildings to be completed in two distinct phases.

The first phase would begin as early as January 2021 with anticipated completion by September of that same year. If approved, building one would rise 39 stories, or about 421 feet, at the southern end of the project site. The building would comprise 705,652 square feet and contain 810 residences. A total of 405 units would let as affordable homes.

The first building would also contain 9,641 square feet of retail area and 113 parking spaces.

The second phase could begin as early as October 2021 and wrap up by April 2024. This structure would also comprise 39 stories, but top-off slightly higher at 424 feet. The building would comprise 663,662 square feet and contain 768 units. Given the total number of proposed affordable units in the entire development, it can be assumed this phase would include 381 affordable homes.

The second phase would also include 11,542 square feet of retail, 9,678 square feet dedicated to a community facility, and 67 parking spaces.

In total, approximately 50% of residential area would lease as affordable housing at tiered levels of income. That percentage amounts to about 790 units out of approximately 1,590 total residences.

The development would also introduce 50,258 square feet of open space divided between public and private residential use. Of that total area, about 18,000 square feet would be available to the public during daytime hours.

On March 12th, 2019, the development team is expected to present these proposals to the public, where members of the local community will be able to voice their opinions and concerns. If deemed appropriate, the developer would alter the proposals before submitting final plans to city agencies.

It remains to be seen how the city and community members will react to the new proposals. If approved by the Department of City Planning, full completion is expected by 2024.

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