Community Board 6’s transportation and public safety committee agreed, on September 19, to table a proposal that involves constructing an additional entrance at the R train’s Union Street stop – that is, until more information regarding the potential Gowanus rezoning is released.
Real estate development firm Avery Hall is in the process of buying the Speedway gas station at 4th and Union. They are asking the city for permission to build a much bigger building than current zoning will allow in exchange for taking over government’s responsibility of providing for efficient mass transportation facilities, including an ADA elevator.
“They’re being pressured to improve their accessibility, but they’re limited in their capital availability. There are no immediate plans to improve accessibility [here],” said Brian Ezra of Avery Hall, referring to the MTA.
Ezra’s $11 million proposal entails a new ADA accessible entrance with an elevator to platform level, a new wide staircase to relieve current congestion at rush hour, new lighting, and new mechanical, electrical and sprinkler systems.
As compensation for this investment, Avery is demanding the right to build a larger building than the proposed neighborhood rezoning might allow.
CB6 committee member Pauline Blake asked what would happen if this request were to be denied, and Ezra responded that his firm would continue to develop as-of-right without the bonus square footage.
By the end of the meeting, the committee unanimously agreed that no one’s against the elevator concept, and that voting on this before the rezoning gets finalized or approved to take place would be premature. They’ll revisit this proposal in the future.
Top photo of Brian Ezra presenting a concept rendering of a subway entry on Sackett Street, during Avery Hall Investment’s presentation to CB6 Transportation committee. Photo by DeGregorio.
Author
George Fiala has worked in radio, newspapers and direct marketing his whole life, except for when he was a vendor at Shea Stadium, pizza and cheesesteak maker in Lancaster, PA, and an occasional comic book dealer. He studied English and drinking in college, international relations at the New School, and in his spare time plays drums and fixes pinball machines.
