Cea Weaver

sorry, I have a 3/3. Considering the ways existing systems and incrementalism (which we don’t love) can be leveraged to both help people and build broader coalitions, while moving toward non-incremental goals, seems like hugely relevant and essential work to me!

1. No disagreement. Is anyone against all rezonings per se? NYC’s current rezoning model is hopelessly market-based, though, with practically zero actual affordable units. Many of us are 100% against luxury rezonings that threaten existing rent reg units w/no real affordability.

2. Alternative community based ideas exist, w/far more aff units and no upzoning (luxury housing; gift to developers). 2 Howard St. Community plan. 5 WTC 100% aff building.

3. And if people say “not realistic,” is it realistic to expect ANY actual affordability from MIH/421a-based rezonings? There is incrementalism, and there is just selling out to corporate interests.

I disagree with that assessment of the Soho rezoning, i think it will create both regulated and even market units that rent at lower prices than what most Soho units rent for now. But you’re saying that’s not good enough and that’s a fair and appropriate question 1/2

If units are “cheaper” than the insane going rents in Soho, is that enough to actually desegregate downtown? There isn’t even a guarantee of ANY “affordable” units. Better to build power around the alternative community plan and 100% affordability at publicly-owned 5 WTC

I think the displacement risk in Chinatown is being extremely overstated given HSTPA. but I’m trying to make another point. We don’t have the political power yet to *guarantee* those affordable units or the community alternative & I’m not sure rejecting this gets us any closer.

It’s a heavy lift to advance the community plan, to fight for social housing at 5 WTC and CLTs and universal rent control. But the right thing to do. This rezoning is simply not it: will do harm and will offer barely any true affordability.