Senator Felder lauded the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) for their release of the Request for Proposals (RFP) on a landmark housing project to develop the airspace above the local freight rail line that runs through four populous neighborhoods: Boro Park, Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights and Sunset Park.

The RFP addresses Phase 1 in a series of projects that will begin at 8 th Avenue and 61st Street. Phase 2 of the plan covers a huge swath of square city blocks spanning 11 th , 12 th , 13 th and 14 th Avenues and beyond with tremendous possibility.

“After years in the making this is a historic breakthrough. Thousands of people are finally seeing the dream of living close to their family and community as a real possibility. Reactions from the community came flooding in like a tidal wave of hope and support,” said Felder (D – Midwood).

An ideal space for the development of affordable housing, Phase 2 of this significant proposal runs through Boro Park, a neighborhood with large population growth and a severe lack of available development land.

“Families want to stay connected and raise families where they have always lived, near grandparents, parents and siblings, but have had few options. We hope to keep families together and neighborhoods thriving with this plan,” expressed Felder.

“Those of us who have worked with the MTA for years toward the goal of creating housing are thrilled with the MTA’s announcement and optimistic about the possibilities that this development project will create. I commend my colleague Senator Felder on his persistence. Working together and staying the course will inevitably bring positive results,” said Assemblyman Hikind (D- Boro Park).

“Shortage of affordable housing is a huge, persistent problem and the scarcity of available development land has been a real obstacle to creating housing that can keep pace with the growing needs of the neighborhood. The first day feedback was overwhelming and I believe that this innovative plan, already proven in other areas, will be the start of a revolutionary response to the affordable housing problem in our city,” said Felder.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)