After efforts from councilwoman Zhuang Wenyi, the controversy over the proposed homeless shelter at 2501 86th Street in Brooklyn reached a critical point of communication. On the morning of April 8th, including councilwoman Zhuang Wenyi, State Assemblyman Cordon’s chief of staff He Lining, and more than ten community representatives, went to the Mayor’s office to meet with representatives from the Deputy Mayor and the Department of Social Services, discussing issues related to safety, procedures, and location raised by the project.
Councilwoman Zhuang Wenyi told this newspaper after the meeting that they raised several key issues with the city government that day, including permit procedures, community concerns, and safety worries. “First, there is controversy surrounding the permits, but the other party has been emphasizing that currently it’s just about demolition, not construction, and claimed to have relevant permits; second, we presented community feedback, hoping that the site would not be too close to schools and that other locations should be considered; third is the safety issue, we are not unwilling to help the homeless, but with dense schools nearby, it is indeed concerning,” she said.
However, regarding the specific concerns raised by residents, the city government’s response was criticized for still focusing more on procedural explanations, emphasizing advancing the current demolition phase, and stressing the necessity of the homeless shelter project; as for the reasonableness of the location and the community’s capacity, they only said they had “heard the demands” without committing to making adjustments or reassessments.
During the meeting, community representative Mr. Ma pointed out that residents had repeatedly questioned the legality of the construction procedures, including the “881 Clause” which requires agreement on protective measures with adjacent property owners before construction, had not been completed, yet there were signs of construction on-site. Residents even provided video evidence showing workers demolishing bricks and creating openings on the roof that led to falling debris in the backyard, posing clear safety hazards. However, officials at the meeting did not directly address these concerns or engage in meaningful discussions about the evidence provided.
“We showed them the video on the spot and demanded an immediate halt to work, which is the basic sincerity towards the community, but they did not respond or handle it positively,” Zhuang Wenyi concluded, calling the meeting “disappointing,” stating, “The government may claim to have heard the community’s voices, but we don’t see any concrete actions to address the issues.”
Regarding the project advancement process, city government representatives emphasized that demolition and subsequent use approvals are part of “two different procedures.” However, the community believes that until the Board of Standards and Appeals (BSA) in New York makes a ruling, relevant projects should not be pushed forward recklessly.
Furthermore, residents are concerned that once the building is demolished, developers may find it easier to finalize subsequent contracts and funding arrangements, creating a “fait accompli” situation that weakens the community’s and regulatory agencies’ checks and balances.
With negotiations at a standstill, the community is simultaneously advancing legal actions. Mr. Ma revealed that residents have started researching emergency restraining orders to immediately halt work until BSA rulings and related legal procedures are completed. The community is currently discussing in what capacity to file lawsuits, including neighboring property owners or tenants, and is also looking for suitable lawyers.
“Our top priority is to stop the construction first, otherwise, once the demolition is completed, it will be difficult to turn back many things,” he said.
Mr. Ma stated that on the 8th, the community submitted additional relevant materials to the BSA, and the case is still pending scheduling for review.