Developers are trying to build four tall residential buildings on the Manhattan waterfront, bringing 2,775 new apartments to our growing city.
Zoning law allows it.
A quarter of the units would be earmarked as permanently affordable. A nearby subway entrance would get $40 million in private money, making it wheelchair-accessible for the first time. Local parks would see a $15 million infusion. A local NYCHA complex would get $12 million.
Did we mention that zoning laws allow it?
That fact ought to settle the matter for Manhattan state Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron, who’s hearing lawsuits brought by community groups, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer and the City Council.
If it doesn’t, we’re a city where multi-million-dollar investment decisions could get regularly upended daily on the whims of judges.
And yet: “These are huge towers. I’ve lived in the city my whole life. You can’t just do this because the zoning allows it. I just can’t believe this is the case,” said Engoron, as he extended a restraining order for two months.
He should’ve said “You can’t just do something because it’s legal.” It would’ve made just as much sense.
