A slice of the Lower East Side near the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges offers sweeping views of the Brooklyn skyline.  For years, the low- and middle-income residents of some buildings in the area have had it all to themselves.

But now several developers are seeking approval of plans to build four residential towers. Residents fear the projects would make the neighborhood unaffordable.

"We think it'll accelerate the gentrification in the community," resident Marc Richardson said. "75 percent of these apartments are targeted to more affluent residents, not in keeping with the socioeconomics of the community."

The buildings would be massive — one soaring 79 stories. They would house nearly 3,000 apartments, roughly a quarter of them set aside for low- and middle-income tenants. It's the latest sign the neighborhood is in transition. Already, a massive luxury condo building is rising nearby.

It's not just the scale of the buildings that is upsetting longtime residents. They're especially irked the developments need only a simple approval by the City Planning Commission.

Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer and City Councilwoman Margaret Chin say that's absurd. They're asking the commission to change its mind and require the projects to go through the City Council.

"We want them to hurry up and certify so that we can force all three developers," Chin said. "to come in for a full comprehensive review."

Such a review likely would force the developers to make big concessions, including reducing the buildings' size and adding community benefits like a new school.

The plans recently went before the community board. "What they offer us is crumbs," one woman said at the meeting last week.

The community board is expected to issue an advisory opinion next month.

The developers say they're committed to upgrading some buildings and nearby amenities, such as by making the East Broadway subway station accessible to the disabled and renovating local parks.

Residents say that isn't enough.

The City Planning Commission is slated to hold a hearing on the project in October. But it's unclear when the commission will vote on whether to approve the plan.

 

Rendering above via SHoP Architects.