Boerum Hill residents lodge complaints against 74-story Flatbush Avenue tower

As a massive Downtown Brooklyn project preps to put itself through the public review process, some local residents are growing concerned about the scope of the project. Located at 80 Flatbush Avenue, plans call for a two-tower development, with 900 mixed-income apartments, two schools, a cultural space, retail, and offices.

Local residents however are concerned that the project is two large for the neighborhood, NBC reports. The developer, Alloy Development, is planning to build the project in two phases; the first phase will see the construction of a 38-story residential tower with two schools, one of which is an existing school that’s being expanded. The second phase will the construction of a massive 920-foot tower with apartments (200 of which will be affordable), and office space.

The development straddles the boundaries of Downtown Brooklyn and Boerum Hill, and residents from the latter neighborhood are unhappy that such a massive project will rise next to low rise townhouse buildings. The Boerum Hill Association has launched a petition opposing the project.

Alloy defended its development in a statement to NBC, highlighting the public benefits of the project. Jared Della Valle, the CEO of Alloy, issued the following statement to Curbed:

For more than a year, we've appreciated the opportunity to discuss our project with the Boerum Hill Association and other neighbors, and to hear feedback on ways we can improve our proposal. We take public input seriously and feel it will make for a better project. We’ve had more than 70 community meetings to date and expect to have dozens more before the process is complete.

As part of the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure, the project will first come before the local Community Board. That is expected to happen in October or November this year. In the coming months, local residents will have several opportunities to offer their feedback on the project, so the scope of the project could very well change before construction gets underway.

• Brooklyn Residents Protest Huge Building Development [NBC]
• Massive Downtown Brooklyn project will include 900 apartments, schools, cultural space [Curbed]