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09/18/2012 11:33 PM

Plan For Low-Income Housing At Seward Park Pitched By Coalition

By: NY1 News

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A coalition of residents on the Lower East Side have a new plan for the long-vacant Seward Park Urban Renewal Area.

They announced a partnership with a developer on Tuesday on a proposal for 100 percent low-income housing at the site, which is between Delancey and Grand Street near the Williamsburg Bridge entrance.

It would also call for space for small businesses and services like a public school, daycare or health clinic.

This comes as the city council is preparing to vote Wednesday on a plan for a housing complex that would set aside only 20 percent of units for guaranteed low-income housing.

"Government has a responsibility but often they say there was no money, they are not going to build low-income housing," said one resident.

"There's been thousands of people in the community, who have been singing petitions to demand 100 percent low income housing on Seward Park," said Josephine Lee of the Coalition to Protect Chinatown and Lower East Side.

It's been 45 years since the 7-acre site was demolished. It's the largest vacant tract in Manhattan south of 96th Street.