Are you concerned about the proposed rezoning of the former Rheingold Brewery complex? As we’ve reported, many concerned Bushwick residents have felt left out of the approval process for the rezoning, which would allow for the construction of nearly 1,000 apartment units in brand new 7- and 8-story apartment buildings near the Flushing Avenue J-train stop in northwest Bushwick. The community’s concerns have included fears that the development could negatively impact affordable housing, public recreational space, school overcrowding, traffic, and the economic well-being of long-time neighborhood residents.
Tonight is an opportunity to make your voice heard. The newly formed North West Bushwick Community group has been given the opportunity to nominate community leaders to a panel being formed to advise Councilwoman Diana Reyna on the issue, and they are holding a public meeting tonight to nominate six representatives to the advisory panel. According to the group, additional representatives will be nominated by other community groups, including Churches United for Fair Housing, Williamsburg Southside community advocacy group Los Sures, neighborhood improvement coalition St. Nick’s Alliance, North Brooklyn industrial business and jobs group EWVIDCO, public schools 145 and 120 and Bushwick’s Community Board 4. After the city’s Community Planning Commission votes on October 23, the rezoning proposal moves on to the city council. Councilwoman Reyna’s advisory panel will help ensure the concerns of Bushwick residents are heard when the proposal moves on to the city council.
The meeting will be held from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at The Living Gallery. For more information on the complicated and controversial history of the rezoning proposal, check out our previous posts on the issue.