It took many years but finally came to a culmination this Sunday. The Culver El Affordable Housing Development, just constructed in the air space of an elevated train tracks torn down during the 1970s, was first proposed in the 1980s during the Koch administration. After numerous delays, it was deeded by former Mayor Bloomberg in 2007 to the Southern Brooklyn Community Organization (SBCO), the housing division of Agudath Israel, to develop affordable housing. SBCO had already developed a sterling reputation in developing and managing affordable housing and was the natural choice to undertake this project.
However, in the ensuing years the land had to be rezoned, and permits and other approvals obtained before construction was able to commence. Finally, earlier this year, the new homeowners (all of whom were selected in a lottery supervised by NYC HPD under its New Foundations Program) were able to close on their units and begin moving in.
Yesterday, the new homeowners joined with elected officials, community leaders, and Agudah and SBCO leadership for a ribbon-cutting event sponsored by Chase Bank to celebrate the Culver El opening.
Speakers at the event included Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel, Executive Vice President of Agudath Israel; Rabbi Avrohom Jaffe, Executive Director of SBCO; Rabbi Shimon Ostreicher on behalf of Belz institutions (who were given space on the block to build a yeshiva and graciously hosted the event in their lobby); Amaralis Blackwood and Esther Hakalir on behalf of event sponsor Chase Bank; Mrs. Goldie Lebron, a new Culver El resident, expressing thanks on behalf of all the homeowners; and finally, State Senator Simcha Felder and NYC Comptroller Brad Lander, both of whom played very crucial roles in the development of the project. The program was emceed by Rabbi Yeruchim Silber, Agudah’s Director of New York Government Relations. Other elected officials in attendance included State Senator Roxanne Persaud, Assemblymember Simcha Eichenstein, Councilmember Kalman Yeger, Judge Saul Stein, Senator Elect Iwen Chu, former Assemblymember Jim Brennan and District Leader Pinny Ringel. Representing Mayor Eric Adams were Senior Advisor Joel Eisdorfer and NYPD Inspector Richie Taylor; representing Public Advocate Jumaane Willams, Simon Sebag.
Rabbi Jaffe was effusive in his praise of all those who assisted over the years. “We sincerely thank all those that helped bring this project to fruition, but our biggest joy is actually seeing these families moving in, and watching their children at play as they get to realize the American dream of home ownership.” He also thanked SBCO’s parent organization Agudath Israel for their ongoing support and for their assistance with the elected officials.
Rabbi Silber also thanked the various elected officials involved in this effort. “What first was conceived under Mayor Koch was really brought into fruition by Mayor Bloomberg, Mayor DeBlasio and completed under the administration of Mayor Adams. We thank them all for believing in this project, and we thank the many others who assisted every step of the way.”
SO WHERE IS THIS LOCATED AND HOW CAN WE UNCONNECTED PEOPLE SIGN UP?????
“Finally, earlier this year, the new homeowners (all of whom were selected in a lottery supervised by NYC HPD under its New Foundations Program) were able to close on their units and begin moving in.”
Perfect government
Incompetence!
These building were not build for humans
Only after extensive extra costs incurred by the LOTTERY WINNERS were these apartments livable
Yes it’s true almost every single Lottery winner had to spend a minimum of $20,000 extra to make the apartments inhabitable
For a few more dollars the government could have done it right
What a joke