A low-key Brooklyn developer has massive ambitions for a block of one-story retail shops next to elevated subway tracks in East Flatbush.
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Bawabeh Holdings plans to develop 972 apartments over retail and community space across 31 lots along East 98th Street between Rutland Road and Kings Highway, according to a rezoning application filed last week with the Department of City Planning.
The project requires the developers to go through the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure because the lots' current zoning doesn't allow for any residential use. If the project is approved, it would add between 194 and 292 affordable units under the city's Mandatory Inclusionary Housing program.
Overall, the development would span more than 1.2M SF, with 136K SF of retail, an 80K SF community facility, 21K SF of medical office and 114 parking spaces, according to the environmental assessment statement prepared by GZA GeoEnvironmental.
On the site today sits roughly 152K SF of retail space, occupied by Bargain Land, CTown Supermarket, Dollar Tree and small shops like a bank, deli, hairdresser and check cashing outlet.
The buildings would be demolished in phases with a total build-out period of 90 months and an estimated final delivery in 2035, according to the EAS statement, which was first reported by PincusCo.
Brooklyn-based Bawabeh couldn't be reached for comment. The family-run firm, which also goes by Bawabeh Realty Holdings, maintains a low profile, but that might not be an option as it pursues developments of increasing scope.
Led by David, Morris and Soly Bawabeh, the firm received city council approval in January for the rezoning of another Brooklyn development site, at 1720 Atlantic Ave. in Crown Heights. The firm is planning a 360K SF mixed-use project with nearly 300 apartments at that site, also a single-story retail strip.
The ULURP application comes amid a shifting political landscape for development. New York City voters approved changes to the approval process that make it more difficult for city council members to block projects in their districts and fast-tracks some applications that provide new affordable housing.
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