Apartment units in the “affordable” portion of the Williamsburg Edge, a gleaming multi-building complex currently under construction along the Williamsburg waterfront, are now available via lottery.
In all, 346 units in two of the five buildings that will comprise the Edge are available in the lottery, which closes December 3. These buildings will be inhabited by the spring of 2009, according to officials at the city’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development.
The two, eight-story buildings – at 34 N. 6th St. and 27 N. 7th St. – are designated strictly for affordable housing, across the street from the complex’s market-rate units. Under the Williamsburg-Greenpoint waterfront rezoning plan of 2005, developers of waterfront luxury condos must make 20 percent of the units they build affordable.
All of the affordable units will be rentals, while all of the market-rate units will be condominiums. The affordable units sit closer to Kent Avenue than the market rate units, which are directly on the waterfront. And the 40,000 square feet of amenity space for the market-rate units – including two fitness centers, a sports facility, screening rooms, and a video game room – will not be available for residents of the affordable units.
However, each affordable apartment will have central air-conditioning, dishwashers, and hardwood floors. There is also a laundry room in the basement of both buildings.
“They’re very well-appointed for affordable apartments. It’s really a big step up from housing you see at these prices,” said Matt Feldman, vice president of Douglaston Development, the developer of the affordable buildings.
The buildings start at six stories along Kent Avenue, but ascend to seven and then eight stories closer to the water. Aesthetically, they feature alternating red and white brick, designed to break up the massiveness of the buildings so they do not appear too monolithic.
“It’s an architectural feature that makes it look more contextual with the neighborhood,” Feldman said.
In the lottery, there will be 77 studios available for a monthly rent of $886, for those earning between $37,370 and $43,000 annually.
There will be 95 one-bedroom apartments, with a monthly rent of $995. For a household of one person, they will be available for those earning between $41,919 and $43,000. Households of two can earn up to $49,150.
And there will be 174 two-bedroom apartments, with a monthly rent of $1,198. These two-bedroom apartments are only available for households of three or four. For households of three, the required income ranges from $50,287 to $55,300. Households of four can earn up to $61,450.
Fifty percent of the apartments will go to residents in Community District 1.
Persons with mobility impairments will be given a 5 percent preference, while persons with visual or hearing impairments will receive a 2 percent preference. Eligible New York City employees will receive a 5 percent preference.
Applications may be requested by mail by writing to: Williamsburg Community Apartments; PO Box 639003; Little Neck Station; Flushing or Douglaston, NY, 11363.
They can also be downloaded from www. Williamsburgcommunityapartments.com.
The application deadline is December 3. Applicants who submit more than one application will be disqualified.
Community Board 1 District Manager Gerald Esposito noted: “Like any lottery, you have to be in it to win it. I therefore encourage all interested persons in Community Board 1 to apply as soon as possible to have their applications received in a timely manner for inclusion in the lottery.”
For more information, contact Community Board 1 at (718) 389-0009.
