Good news announced The governor of the state of New York, Kathy Hochul: In the World Trade Center area, more precisely in the 5 WTCwill be built 1,200 apartments in the next few years, of which one-third, approximately 400, will be affordable to low- and moderate-income New Yorkers and people affected by the attacks September 11th, 2001. Since 2019, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation they had submitted the request to redevelop the area, where the old Deutsche Bank building, 130 Liberty Street, operated, which was affected by the terrorist attacks.
This is how he revealed it the state representativewho this Thursday went to Lower Manhattan to make the announcement, where he warned that after months of negotiations, the Public Authorities Control Board approved building the project in a space for the use of the World Trade Center, which will also have 10,000 feet square feet of community space for organizing Educational Alliance, over 190,000 square feet of retail and office space, and a connection to Liberty Park.
“With this project, we are about to transform an old parking lot into new homes for thousands of New Yorkers, bringing new affordable housing. and community spaces to this iconic neighborhood,” the Governor said, citing her new move that is part of a five-year, $25 billion housing plan to build 100,000 affordable homes in New York. “Getting to this point was not easy, but I am committed to doing everything in my power to build more housing throughout New York.”
hochul assured that the housing initiative will be possible thanks to a variety of local and state financing sources, and revealed that through an agreement between the Executive, the Senate and the Assembly, the State will contribute $60 million and an additional $5 million from the Battery Park City Authority Joint Purpose Fund.
New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner, RuthAnne Visnauskas, He also stressed the importance of the victims of the 9/11 attacks being able to benefit from the project.
“This innovative mixed-income development will complete the World Trade Center site, serving as a fitting tribute to our diversity and strength as a city and nation. Importantly, 5 WTC will provide hundreds of permanently affordable apartments for low- and middle-income residents and provide homes for families whose lives were upended by the horror of 9/11.”
State Senator Brian Kavanagh, An advocate for older affordable apartments, he called the project “an example of the progress” that can be achieved when all levels of government, the private sector and communities work together and provide real solutions to the housing crisis.
“This site was always a great opportunity to bring large-scale affordable housing to Lower Manhattan, a community that has lost affordability at a particularly high rate for decades, and by providing $65 million in public funding, we ensured that at least one-third making this huge building affordable, while maintaining deep affordability that will allow more very low-income families to live in our community,” said the Albany political leader.
jessica lappinpresident of the organization Downtown Allianceappreciated that the allocation of the third part of units that are built to be affordable apartments has been defended.
“Those units will also reflect a more pronounced mix of subsidies to serve more New Yorkers who are in greatest need. This project for WTC Site 5 is a great achievement. It will help complete the redevelopment of the Trade Center and contribute significantly to the long-term success and prosperity of Lower Manhattan,” said the community leader. “Attracting new residents to the area is more important now than ever to support our local retailers and restaurants. A completed site will make an invaluable contribution to the dynamic mix of commercial and residential life that makes this neighborhood exceptionally resilient.”
Gary LaBarberapresident of the New York Metropolitan Area Building and Construction Trades Council, called for continuing to promote similar projects to solve the homelessness crisis and for more push to give families better options for success.
“If we are going to adequately address citywide housing issues and allow for greater economic growth in our communities, we must pass and complete more projects that not only provide affordable housing, but create well-paying, family-supporting careers for hard-working New Yorkers,” said LaBarbera. “The approval of this project by the Public Authority Control Board is beneficial to our city and its workers, as it will provide much-needed affordable housing in Lower Manhattan and provide hundreds of opportunities for our business and union workers.”
Hope KnightPresident, CEO and Commissioner of Empire State Development, said that dealing with the housing crisis in new york it requires a strong and collective commitment to creating affordable apartments and supporting more similar initiatives in the long-term future in areas like Lower Manhattan.
“5WTC represents the positive progress that can occur when government, community, and the private sector collaborate to achieve a common goal,” Knight said.
The Coalition for a 100% Affordable 5WTC, who advocated and fought hard for the project to have as many low-income units as possible, issued a statement applauding the project and advising that it leaves the door open for the Coalition and elected officials to obtain additional funding to increase even more the number of affordable units.
“This agreement reflects the community’s advocacy to increase diversity in the areas surrounding the site and recognizes a preference for 9/11 survivors and first responders, who paid a heavy price to rebuild Lower Manhattan,” the organization said. . “The state-owned 5WTC site is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create desperately needed affordable and diverse housing in a neighborhood of great opportunity.”
RichBaum, president and CEO of Educational Alliancestressed that the community center that will exist in the 5 World Trade Center complex will help expand its services in Lower Manhattan.
“We have been supporting our Manhattan neighbors for more than 130 years, and today our network of community programs, including the Manny Cantor Center and the 14th Street Y, serve tens of thousands of New Yorkers each year. 5 World Trade Center offers a unique opportunity to bring people together in a new, world-class facility,” he said. Baum.
Housing project in the World Trade Center in figures
- 1,200 new housing units will be built in that part of Lower Manhattan
- 1/3 of the apartments will be affordable for low- and moderate-income New Yorkers
- 20% of the apartments will be offered to those affected by the attacks of September 11
- 40% area median income up to 120% area median income will be required
- $60 million will be invested by the State, through an agreement between the Executive, the Senate and the Assembly
- An additional $5 million will be invested from the Battery Park City Authority Joint Purpose Fund
- 5 World Trade Center is the location of the former Deutsche Bank building, 130 Liberty Street, where the apartments will rise
