Quantcast

The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

Domino Sugar Factory Apartments to Have More Affordable Housing

By Radhika Marya | March 3, 2014 7:13pm
 The Domino Sugar Factory lot in Williamsburg.
The Domino Sugar Factory lot in Williamsburg.
View Full Caption
DNAinfo/Meredith Hoffman

WILLIAMSBURG — The site of the former Domino Sugar refinery on the Williamsburg waterfront is one step closer to redevelopment.

The city announced Monday that it had reached an agreement with Two Trees Management on a proposal to redevelop the controversial site. According to a statement, the proposal will increase the amount of affordable housing provided by 110,000 square feet, bringing the total amount of affordable housing space to 537,000 square feet.

The proposal will be voted on at a City Planning Commission meeting Wednesday.

"We are securing more of the affordable housing families in Williamsburg need, and we are doing it by working together," said Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development Alicia Glen in a statement. "This agreement is a win for all sides, and it shows that we can ensure the public's needs are met, while also being responsive to the private sector's objectives."

"This won't just be an ordinary development — it will be part of an integrated neighborhood that brings people of every income level together," said Jed Walentas of Two Trees Management in a statement.

The agreement comes after a New York Times report last week that redevelopment of the former factory site could hit a snag with the de Blasio administration, even though a previous proposal from Two Trees had received support from local leaders and residents. The de Blasio administration wanted even more space for affordable housing.

According to the mayor's office, Monday's proposal increases the percentage of affordable housing to 700 units out of more than 2,200 apartments in the project. In addition to affordable housing, the redevelopment project will also include commercial, incubator, tech and creative space.