Updated plan for Broadway Junction redevelopment adds 1,000 affordable homes
Images courtesy of Totem
A plan to redevelop a two-acre site around the Broadway Junction transit hub has been revised to increase the number of affordable homes from 600 to 1,000. After nearly 100 public meetings, developer Totem on Thursday released an updated version of its proposal to rezone the East New York site into Herkimer-Williams, a mixed-use project with four buildings along four blocks, containing housing, retail, community space, and open space. The revisions include more affordable housing, community-led retail, reduced building heights, and less office space.
The latest iteration of Herkimer-Williams follows two and a half years of intensive community outreach, which began after Totem first presented its preliminary proposal at a public town hall in early 2022. Since then, the developer has held over 90 meetings with local stakeholders and continues to seek community input as the project moves forward.
In December 2023, the city’s Department of City Planning (DCP) began the environmental review process to assess the proposal and its potential impacts. This month, Totem submitted its Land Use Application, including the updated plans.
Certification of the proposal under the uniform land use review procedure (ULURP) is expected later this spring.
“Our team is deeply encouraged by the feedback we’ve received on the initial Herkimer-Williams proposal over the past few years in our outreach to the community,” Vivian Liao, co-founder and principal of Totem, said.
“We’ve maintained an open and ongoing dialogue with the East New York community, allowing this new plan to directly address the key concerns and aspirations shared by residents. We will continue to seek input from local stakeholders and look forward to presenting a final ULURP proposal that genuinely serves the residents of East New York.”
The updated plan increases the number of affordable homes from 600 to 1,000, adds 25,000 square feet of public open space, and includes up to 85,000 square feet of community facility space, which could be used by institutions such as a local college or university.
The draft proposal also reduces the amount of commercial office space from 750,000 square feet to 440,000 square feet while preserving 100,000 square feet of light industrial space. In addition, the layout of 114,000 square feet of retail space has been modified to allow for more “neighborhood-scale tenants.”
The revised proposal lowers overall building heights, including a 60-foot reduction to the tallest proposed structure. It also preserves Herkimer Street by removing the previously suggested street “de-mapping” and introduces pedestrian improvements to enhance accessibility and walkability.
For years, residents have urged the city to transform the five acres of concrete lots surrounding the transit hub into a space that addresses the urgent need for affordable housing, open space, and economic opportunities.
Situated at the intersection of seven neighborhoods, Broadway Junction is one of the city’s busiest transit hubs, served by five major subway lines, six bus routes, and the Long Island Rail Road. The area presents a prime opportunity for community-driven development.
Herkimer-Williams is part of a broader effort to revitalize the area surrounding Broadway Junction in East New York. The neighborhood was rezoned in 2016 to allow for more housing, but the area around the subway station was not included in the zoning changes.
In May 2023, Mayor Eric Adams announced a $500 million investment to overhaul the Broadway Junction hub with accessibility upgrades, two new public plazas, and safety enhancements.
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