But after fierce pushback and much back-and-forth, the City Council approved a plan that kept most of the buildings’ density, along with the 200 affordable units, while scaling back the height.
With the plans approved, the project seemed poised to move forward unimpeded. Then, in July, the block association filed its lawsuit against the City Council, the City Planning Commission, the New York City Educational Construction Fund, and Alloy Development, arguing that the courts must annul the upzoning that allows the building to rise.
The suit called the zoning change “unlawful and constitutionally impermissible.” The new settlement entirely resolves the dispute, according to Alloy. Under the agreement, a full-time project manager will be on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week during construction, and a dedicated hotline will be available for neighbors to notify the 80 Flatbush team of any construction issues that arise.
The builders will meet monthly with the 400 & 500 State Street Block Association during the project design process to “solicit input and update residents on material choices for the State Street facade,” according to the community benefits agreement. When reached for comment the 400 & 500 State Street Block Association declined to delve into the arrangement, but stressed the group’s eagerness to work with the developer as the project progresses.
“We are looking forward to creating a positive working relationship with the developer moving forward,” Alan Seales with the block association told Curbed in a statement.
THE LAW OFFICES OF WALTER JENNINGS REPRESENTED
STATE STREET BLOCK ASSOCIATION IN THIS LAW SUIT
https://ny.curbed.com/2019/9/16/20868755/brooklyn-80-flatbush-lawsuit-settlement-alloy