Beep approves Depot

By Matthew Lysiak
The Brooklyn Paper

A plan to build a new Home Depot and 214 units of housing atop a vacant Bay Ridge railyard moved a step closer to reality after gaining the approval of Borough President Markowitz last week.

Markowitz gave his support to developer Andrew Kohen, who needs a rezoning so he can build the profitable residential units in the complex, which would consist of an 11-story residential and office building plus the 100,000-square-foot Home Depot.

Markowit’z approval did come with strings, however thin. He required that Kohen set aside 20 percent of the units as “affordable,” install a traffic light and crosswalk at 62nd Street and Eighth Avenue, and participate in a traffic study after the center opens. Kohen has already promised to do all of those things.

The borough president’s approval follows a recommendation by Community Board 10.

Opponents say Kohen is trying to build too much housing on the site, but the developer said housing is needed.

“Unless people stop having babies and looking for jobs, then we need development,” said Kohen.

The developer still faces a few more hurdles. The City Planning Commission has 60 days to vote on the rezoning application before it advances to the City Council, where it is backed by Councilman Vince Gentile (D–Bay Ridge).

“It will bolster the area, spruce up the surroundings and provide significant employment and housing,” Gentile said.

Even if City Planning rejects the proposal, the project would still go ahead if the Council and Mayor Bloomberg approve it as expected.

Update: CB10 backs Home Depot

By Matthew Lysiak
The Brooklyn Paper

A developer’s plan to build a new Home Depot and 214 units of housing along a vacant Bay Ridge railyard got a big thumbs up from Community Board 10 late Wednesday night, despite weeks of controversy over the proposal.

The board vote was 30–11.

The vote came only a week after CB10’s Zoning and Land-Use Committee not only rejected developer Andrew Kohen’s request for a zoning change on the commercial land in the railyard at 62nd Street and Eighth Avenue, but also made him stand for two hours while members berated him.

The developer needs the rezoning so he can build the profitable residential units in the complex, which would consist of an 11-story building with 216 apartments, office space, and the 100,000-square-foot Home Depot (see rendering above).

On Wednesday night, CB10 members again complained about the project’s size, but the majority of members supported the project.

Board member Steve Harrison, an outspoken critic of Kohen’s, even flipped his vote, in part due to a strong call to action by Councilman Vince Gentile (D–Bay Ridge).

“This project will bolster the area, spruce up the surroundings and provide significant employment and housing,” Gentile said.

Kohen, who sent several minutes before the meeting praying quietly near the entrance, was gratified by the news.

“Unless people stop having babies and looking for jobs, then we need development,” said Kohen.

Home Depot developer stands there and takes it from CB10

By Matthew Lysiak
The Brooklyn Paper




The Brooklyn Paper / Matthew Lysiak
Standing room only: Developer Andrew Kohen (left) pitches a packed crowd at Community Board 10 on his plan to build a Home Depot — and residences — on Eighth Avenue.

Developer Andrew Kohen — who wants to build a new Home Depot and hundreds of units of lucrative housing along a vacant Bay Ridge rail yard — was forced to stand silently for an hour as members of Community Board 10 committee slammed him as greedy on Monday night.

And then, in the end, the committee voted against Kohen’s request for a zoning change on the commercial land in the rail yard at 62nd Street and Eighth Avenue. The developer has already cleared the land, but needs the rezoning so he can build the profitable residential units in the complex, which would consist of an 11-story building with 216 apartments (43 of which will be below-market-rate), office space, and the 100,000-square-foot Hoe Depot.

The vote by CB10’s land-use committee came after board members took their best shots at the developer, who was asked to stand by silently.

The two main points of contention were the height of the building, and the cost of the so-called “affordable” housing. Kohen said a three-bedroom affordable unit would cost $1,700 per month.

One member called that rent market rate.

“That’s what we are paying now, [so] how is that affordable?” one member asked. “This is nothing except for you trying to make a profit.”

Kohen will be eligible for a tax abatement, a government subsidy for developers who include low-income housing in their buildings. He defended his right to make a profit.

“I am walking on thin ice,” Kohen said. “At the end of the day, if there is no profit, what is the incentive for me?”

Making a profit is one thing, but committee members accused Kohen of greed.

“Isn’t that what this is all about?” asked board member — and former congressional candidate — Steve Harrison. “You are going to be getting subsidies when my constituents will not. This looks like a win for you and a loss for the community.”

Harrison also complained that Kohen ignored the board’s earlier request for a decrease in the building’s height.

“I just have to say, I am baffled by you,” said Harrison. “Two years ago, you came to us asking for approval and we told you to do something about the size, then you come back again without making any changes.”

To add insult to insults, Kohen also found himself attacked by Community Board 7 Chairman Randy Peers, who stopped by to offer his disapproval.

“All the feedback I am getting is very negative,” said Peers.

It wasn’t all bad. Land-use committee Chairwoman Joanne Seminara offered kind words — then withheld her support.

“You are a quality developer who builds good buildings,” said Seminara. “I know you are disappointed. But when I look at traffic, overcrowding, and the height of this building, I cannot give my support top this plan.

When the exasperated Kohen was finally allowed to speak, he offered a compromise — though it didn’t appease the beast.

“I have heard the wishes of this honorable committee and I will take a floor off the building,” Kohen said, before being interrupted by one angry board member.

“Yeah, take off the penthouse,” said board member Ron Gross.

Kohen soldiered on. “Nothing in the law compels me to [include the affordable housing],” said Kohen, as some members rolled their eyes. “I took a big chance and volunteered to do this.”

Kohen’s one ally in the room, CB10 Chairman Dean Rasinya, warned that if the board didn’t work with Kohen, the city could rezone the land anyway, giving CB10 no negotiating power.

“Listen, this is a hole in the ground,” said Rasinya. “If the city changes the zoning, we will have no control, and the truth is, we can always use the jobs and housing.”


Community Board 10 will have one more meeting on the subject, on July 11, at a location to be determined. Call (718) 745-6827 for information.

Developer defends "Depot"

By Matthew Lysiak
The Brooklyn Paper
A Bay Ridge developer showed off his proposal to build a new Home Depot--and hundreds of units of even-more-lucerative housing--along a vacant Bay Ridge rail yard, but activists quickly trashed the plan as too big for the surrounding neighborhood.
Developer Andrew Kohen made his case at a public hearing hosted by Community Board 10 on Monday night, where he asked the board to green-light an 11-story complez that will include 216 apartments (43 of which will be below-market-rate), office space and a 100,000-square-foot Home Depot, in the rail yard at 62nd Street and Eight Avenue.
The commercial land has already been cleared, but Kohen needs a zoning change to include the profitable residential homes in the complex.
And winning over the packed room was no easy task. Kohen began by stating his Brooklyn credentials.
"When I came to this neighborhood, many, manymoons ago, it was frequented by prostitutes and drug addicts," Kohen said. "But we improved the neighborhood one building at a time, and I want to continue that work."
And he reminded residents the he agreed to include the below-market-rate units in the project after CB10 asked for them.
He also pointed out that the manufacturing zone on 62nd Street between Seventh and Eight Avenues is currently an empty hole--one he would like to fill.
"We can take this empty hole and fill it with hundreds of new jobs," he said.
But the plan met resistance from many who believe the existing infrastructure can't support the growth.
"The traffic is horrendous already," said preservationist Victoria Hofmo. "The bulk of what this would be, which is three city blocks, is unbelieveable---and there is nothing comparable in our neighborhood."
Other residents shared Hofmo's concern about traffic on already busy streets that may not be able to handle double-parked trucks making deliveries, but a handful of residents did speak in favor of the project.
The developer took the critics in stride, and patiently answered all questions in a slow and deliberate manor.
"I have learned that nothing in life is perfect," said Kohen.
"If you measure all of the good with all of the bad, you will come to the conclusion that this project would be a good thing for the community."
Kohen is optimistic that any increase in traffic will be offset by the benfits the project will bring to what he called a blighted area.
The standing-room audience remained divided most of the night.
"There have been mixed reviews so far," said CB10 Distrcit Manager Josephine Beckmann. "The developer and his team have been very forthright in answering all of our questions and concerns, but this is a real big issue and wiull take some time and some more discussion
Community Board 10 will have two more meetings on the subject. The board's zoning and land use committee will meet on June 26th, at 7pm, at teh CB10 office (621 86th Street between Fort Hamilton Parkway and the BQE). The full board will follow up on July 11, location to be determined. Call (718) 745-6827 for information