LONG ISLAND CITY — Queens Borough President Helen Marshall has recommended in favor of a developer's plan to build two high-rise residential towers at the site of graffiti mecca 5Pointz — bringing the proposal one step closer to city approval.
G&M Realty has applied for a special permit to build larger than current zoning allows at the site, at Davis Street and Jackson Avenue, in order to construct two buildings, 47 and 41 stories tall, containing about 1,000 rental apartments.
The plan has drawn fierce opposition from many — including the local art community — who are outraged at the idea of 5Pointz being torn down.
Community Board 2 had voted against the developer's application last month.
But the owners of the building, father-and-son team Jerry and David Wolkoff, amended their plan afterwards to include more community benefits. They pledged to include 75 affordable housing units in the proposal, plus an additional 10,000 square feet of space to be set aside for artists' studios, on top of the 2,000 square feet planned initially.
The borough president said her vote of approval on the application is contingent on G&M Realty adhering to those promises, according to a statement.
The application will next go to the City Planning Commission. If approved, it will go before the City Council and the mayor.
Should the application be ultimately denied, the Wolkoffs can still tear down 5Pointz and build at the site.
