With the rezoning process now underway, a trio of community groups has announced their support for Two Trees Management's proposed waterfront towers in Williamsburg - with some caveats.

James Corner Field Operations | Bjarke Ingels Group

“Los Sures, El Puente, and St. Nicks Alliance, the Coalition, have long been advocates for affordable housing, jobs and environmental justice,” reads a letter reported by Brooklyn Paper. “Together, along with many other organizations, we continue to advocate for the interest of low- and moderate-income residents in our community. We appreciate the efforts of Two Trees community engagement over the last nine years and now towards the development of the River Ring Project.”

The proposed development, designed by Bjarke Ingels Group, calls for the construction of a pair of high-rise buildings featuring 1,050 homes, offices, retail, and a new YMCA on the site of the former Con Edison North First Street terminal.  Additionally, plans call for a three-acre beach - and roughly six acres of open space in total - designed by James Corner Field Operations.

In addition to commitments regarding community benefits and the potential environmental impacts of the towers, Los Sures, El Puente, and St. Nicks Alliance area also seeking greater affordability within the project.  While Two Trees has proposed that 263 units - roughly 25 percent of the project total - will be made permanently affordable to households earning between 40 and 60 percent of the area median income, the community groups have asked the developers to go beyond that figure.  Two Trees, on its website, has indicated a willingness to consider that request.

James Corner Field Operations | Bjarke Ingels Group

As we previously reported, the project is expected to enter and complete the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure this year. According to scoping documents filed with the city in March, the development will "be constructed over a period of approximately 50 months, with expected completion and full occupancy by 2027."