Senator Jeffrey Klein Announces New Start for Proposed Development at 6469 Broadway

Standing in front of the proposed 86 unit mix-use development in Riverdale, Senator Jeff Klein, Assemblyman Jeff Dinowitz, and Riverdale community leaders announced that Communilife, an important partner in the proposed development at 6469 Broadway, has backed out of the project.

The taxpayer-supported project first raised concerns at a July Community Board 8 Land Use Committee meeting. At the meeting, Riverdale residents first learned of the developer's plans to mix senior apartments with housing for the "severely mentally ill." Concerned about the facility's impact on the community, Riverdale residents asked the developer to provide basic information about the facility's size, security plan, and parking demands. Because the proposed site will also sit atop a state designated Brownfield, many community members also asked whether the construction would expose nearby families to harmful carcinogens and other toxins.

Senator Klein and Assemblyman Dinowitz met with members of the community, attended town halls, and pressed developers for answers to these and other questions. When the developers failed to give adequate answers, both legislators increased their opposition to the proposed project. With Communilife's decision to back out of the development, Senator Klein and Assemblyman Dinowitz pledged to work with the developer and the community to develop a proposal that all sides can support.