_
As the city moves forward with plans to build residential developments in the Triangle, a 30-acre industrial area bound by Williamsburg, Bedford-Stuyvesant and Bushwick, housing advocates, elected officials and community organizers are asking that a new charrette – design meeting – take place with all stakeholders having a seat at the table. Since a charrette was held in 2007 with only a select group of stakeholders, residents who were left out say they need to have a say in the future of the area, especially since it may hold at least a partial solution to the lack of affordable housing in those neighborhoods.
Over 40 community-based organizations protested on the steps as a scoping session on the future of the area was taking place inside.
“A large sector of the community was left out, was never invited to the table,” said Juan Ramos, co-chair of the Broadway Triangle Community Coalition. “Our vision goes unheard even though we, in good faith, have tried to engage every organization and HPD (Department of Housing Preservation and Development) itself. HPD hasn’t responded, so we’re here.”
Ramos, like others at the rally, said, “We want our voice to be heard. We’re not going to listen to them until they start listening to us.”
It does seem dishonest to present this as a community protest when nearly everyone there (which was more like forty people) in the picture works for a not-for-profit that wants a piece of the pie.
I actually counted the heads at the protest and there were indeed close to 100 people there. You are definitely correct that many of the people at the protest had a direct interest in being included in the development process, but that was the point. I also specifically wrote, “housing advocates, elected officials and community organizers are asking that a new charrette – design meeting – take place with all stakeholders having a seat at the table.” I think that makes clear that most of those in attendance were from some sort of organization. However, there were also many residents who did not belong or work for a specific group.
I guess what I don’t understand, and what doesn’t seem clear, is whether they oppose the current plans for the area, for example do they think the plan lacks affordable housing, or are they simply upset that they may not receive the grants to do the work or manage the housing?
Also, the folks in the picture are representative of a few organizations, Los Sures, St. Nicks, and Legal Services. They are far from representative of the entire neighborhood of Williamsburg, let alone Williamsburg, Bed Stuy, and Bushwick, which the area in question borders.
I guess I would be more sympathetic if this protest was less about process, and more about the actual plans for the development and the surrounding area.
Well, it’s interesting that anon “knows” exactly who was present and protesting. Yes, Los Sures, St. Nick’s & Legal Services were there; so what? We should note that also present were ACTUAL community members and folks from community organizations who have nothing to do with managing housing. These folks do not stand to make any money or deals out of a more fair process – but they do care about making sure there’s more affordable housing out there for the families they serve.
I do agree with “anon” that yes, there were fewer people at the protest than could have been. Anon doesn’t mention that there would have been more protesters in attendance if certain politicians had not pressured Brooklyn Catholic leadership to threaten their priests (who have been pretty active in the Broadway Triangle coalition) with suspension if they attended the protest.
I guess I would be more sympathetic to moving forward with the current proposal if it were less about protecting Vito Lopez’ special interests and more about the actual plans for the development of a sustainable and vibrant community.