East side plan draws neighbor ire

On August 20, the Department of City Planning is expected to certify a development proposal by Sheldon Solow that would rezone a nine-acre industrial site along East River between 35th and 41st streets, formerly used by Con Edison, for residential and commercial development.

Mr. Solow's proposal includes six residential buildings between 37 and 69 stories high, as well as a 666-foot-tall commercial tower. Currently, the iconic 505-foot Secretariat of the United Nations complex is the tallest building in the area. The new development is expected to attract up to 10,000 new residents and 5,000 office workers.

U.N. Area Development Plan Draws Fire

According to City Council Member Daniel Garodnick, who represents the neighborhood, Mr. Solow's proposed rezoning "would allow buildings that are too big, too dense, and could include a commercial office building that does not belong there." Alongside Mr. Solow's proposal, the city planning department will also consider an alternative plan submitted by the community, which seeks to minimize the size of the proposed parking garages, open up access to the waterfront, and add affordable housing units and a public school to the mix.

The state senator who represents the neighborhood, Liz Krueger, said she thought the school "was one thing the developer had committed to verbally, but we don't see any reference to space for schools in his plans."