Statement from Congressman Dan Goldman, State Senator Brian Kavanagh, State Assemblymember Charles Fall on Approval of 5 World Trade Center Project with More Affordable Housing

Brian Kavanagh

July 27, 2023

New York, NY - Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10), New York State Senator Brian Kavanagh (SD 27), and New York State Assemblymember Charles Fall (AD 61) today issued the following statement after the New York State Public Authorities Control Board (PACB) approved a mixed-use development at 5 World Trade Center.

The 5 World Trade Center site will be the largest affordable housing development constructed in Lower Manhattan in years, with a full one-third of the 1,200 units set aside for deep affordability and a portion of those reserved for 9/11 survivors. 

“We are excited to see approval move forward for this mixed-use development site at 5 World Trade Center which, when completed, will be the largest new affordable housing development constructed in Lower Manhattan in many years, and the only residential site at the World Trade Center. 

“This agreement is the result of engaged and productive conversations among our offices, the State Executive Chamber including the leadership and staff of Empire State Development and the Division of Housing and Community Renewal, the State Senate Majority Leader and Assembly Speaker, the Mayor’s Office, the City Comptroller, our local elected colleagues representing Lower Manhattan, the Battery Park City Authority, Community Board 1, community advocates, and the project developers, and we thank each of them. We particularly applaud Governor Kathy Hochul’s committed and continuous dialogue as our offices led discussions with all parties to come to an agreement that significantly increased the original proposed level of affordability. This project will provide much needed residential housing in lower Manhattan while bolstering the racial and economic diversity of the area and recognizing the devastation suffered by the neighborhood from the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

“All offices have been working hard on increasing the supply of affordable housing, especially in Lower Manhattan, which has seen a sharp decrease over the past few decades. We have been especially focused on the 5 World Trade Center site, which sits on public land and is a profoundly significant site for many in the community who survived 9/11 and lived and worked in the area during its aftermath. Our offices have time and again joined with advocates to elevate this site’s importance and highlight the necessity of an increase in the number and depth of affordable units since the draft agreement was originally proposed.

“As the city and state face a housing crisis and an immense shortage of affordable homes, we’re proud to stand with 9/11 survivors, community advocates and our elected colleagues in support of this deal. We remain committed to continuing to fight for greater funding for affordable housing all around New York, and particularly for federal funding to support even more affordability at this site.”

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