From Trains to Housing: MTA To Build Massive Apartment Complex in Crown Heights
An underutilized lot owned by the MTA in Crown Heights will soon be transformed into a massive housing complex featuring hundreds of apartments • Full Story
By Chabadinfo Reporter
The MTA announced it is seeking proposals to transform the lot in northern Crown Heights into a residential development with approximately 300 new housing units — including at least 75 permanently affordable homes.
The lot sits at 1119 Pacific Street alongside the Franklin Ave Shuttle, on the far northwestern end of Crown Heights — approximately a 25-minute walk from 770. Notably, it is around the corner of the former Yeshivas Tomchei Temimim building at Bedford & Dean.
The offering includes both the lot and the air rights from the New York City Subway’s adjacent Franklin Avenue Shuttle, which would create “a larger development opportunity than the lot alone would allow,” according to the Governor’s office. “This development was made possible due to the Atlantic Avenue Mixed-Use District (AAMUP) rezoning.”
The site was formerly used as part of New York City Transit’s Atlantic Avenue Cable Shop, which is currently being relocated to a modernized facility at 2016 Pitkin Avenue in East New York, Brooklyn. (The Cable Shop itself is being transferred to the City of New York for development as affordable housing, part of a collaborative agreement reached during the AAMUP rezoning.)
Map of the area
The Jewish Community
How it will affect the Chabad community is in the air; it is relatively far from the center of Jewish Crown Heights compared to similar proposals for the area. The closest Shul to the site is the historic Kol Israel Shul on Franklin Ave and S. John’s Place, a few minutes away. But 300 apartments in the future would alleviate demand somewhat in the area.
A substantial amount of housing along Atlantic Ave — which is currently mostly industrial — could potentially move the Jewish community further north.
The proposal contrasts sharply with the State’s actions in a similar area in East Flatbush, where it is forcing a homeless shelter into the neighborhood, whereas in northern Crown Heights, the State is constructing expensive apartments.
Why Now?
The redevelopment was forced by Executive Order 30, which directed State agencies, such as the MTA, to identify and activate underutilized State-owned sites for housing.
The MTA sees this as it pushes for redevelopment along its Subway and rail networks. “It’s a fact that transit-oriented development drives job and housing growth across the region,” MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said. “The Pacific Street project checks all the boxes – unbeatable proximity to transit in one of Brooklyn’s hottest neighborhoods – and we’re proud to partner with the Governor to get the best use out of this property.”
The MTA is encouraging developers to incorporate transit accessibility improvements in proposals in exchange for a density bonus through the Zoning for Accessibility program, as well as a new MTA Arts & Design installation along the Franklin Shuttle wall on the south side of Lefferts Place. Proposals are due in May.
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