New York City is currently facing a serious housing shortage, while also having numerous vacant, outdated office and manufacturing buildings that are unlikely to be filled again in a post-Covid world. However, the idea of repurposing these obsolete properties into apartments is not being well-received by certain individuals and organizations. The City Council members and powerful unions are opposing Mayor Eric Adams’ proposal to rezone the Garment District, also known as the “Midtown South Neighborhood Plan,” which is one of three proposals aimed at alleviating the housing crisis in the city. Despite these obstacles, Mayor Adams’ plan to revitalize the Garment District and other areas of the West 30s and 40s is innovative and bold.
The West 30s and 40s are currently desolate and lack any substantial activity, even during the daytime, making them particularly depressing spaces to walk through in post-pandemic Manhattan. Introducing new residential properties in these areas could bring them back to life, similar to what has been achieved through conversions in the Wall Street area over the past three decades. However, Council members whose support is crucial for meaningful zoning changes are focused on demanding that these new homes be affordable even to the most disadvantaged individuals. For instance, Council member Kristen Richardson Jordan, who is fortunately retiring, derailed a major Harlem project because the developer was unwilling to give away apartments at extremely low costs.
The challenges Mayor Adams faces in rejuvenating the Garment District were evident during the Council’s meeting on Thursday. The Council members have a set of priorities that are disconnected from the reality of the situation. This was further demonstrated during a hearing of the powerful Land Use Committee in March, where City Planning Commissioner Dan Garodnick explained that large-scale rezoning could potentially convert 136 million square feet of office space into residential units. However, Gale Brewer, an advocate for unions, warned Garodnick against interfering with the Garment District because of the perceived need for jobs. In reality, there are very few apparel jobs left in the West 30s and 40s, with only around 3,000 compared to the hundreds of thousands in the 1960s. The apparel industry unions previously obstructed rezoning efforts during the Bloomberg administration, despite the sector now accounting for a fraction of the jobs it once did. Yet, representatives from these unions persisted in opposing the rezoning proposal at the recent Council meeting.
During the Council hearing, other participants raised concerns about whether the new housing created through rezoning would be required to include amenities such as libraries or parking spaces, even though the city is actively trying to reduce reliance on cars. Additionally, the term “gentrification” was repeatedly brought up without being directly mentioned. Questions were raised as to whether the new apartments would be rent-stabilized and if family members would have rights to below-market leases. Mayor Adams will undoubtedly face immense challenges in breathing new life into the Garment District, but he deserves commendation for his determination. The opposition from “progressive” reactionaries should not hinder the progress of his plan.
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