Coney Island

Cucco calls for ‘new dialogue’ in Trump Village project

August 31, 2016 By Paula Katinas Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Assembly candidate Kate Cucco discusses her objections to the construction at a recent press conference. At right is Chris McCreight, a candidate for Democratic district leader. Photo courtesy of Kate Cucco for New York
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The developer behind a proposed high-rise building at the former site of Trump Village Shopping Center in Coney Island should start talking to community residents about the massive project, and soon, a political candidate said.

Kate Cucco, who is challenging state Assemblymember Pamela Harris in the Sept. 13 Democratic Primary for the 46th Assembly District, called on developer Cammeby’s International Group to begin a new dialogue with the community about the tower it plans to construct at 532 Neptune Ave.

The proposed development has been met with resistance from Coney Island residents who charge that a building of that size would be out of scale with surrounding structures.

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Residents have also expressed concern over the possibility of toxins poisoning the ground at the site.

At the very least, the site needs remediation before work can continue, according to Cucco.

“After talking with hundreds of concerned residents in the area, it became clear to me that too many question marks remain about what is exactly in store with this development,” Cucco said. “It sits on polluted ground that needs to be remediated. It was initially smaller but has now grown to 42-stories. Noisy construction occurs overnight. Development projects of this scale must provide the community with regular updates so they are made aware of any changes or unforeseen issues that may arise as construction happens.” 
 
Cucco said plans call for the building to be 42 stories tall. Various media reports have listed the building at 40 stories.

Cammeby’s International Group recently unveiled plans for the new project at the site, to be called Neptune/Sixth. It will feature a mix of retail, commercial, residential and public spaces to be built at two locations: 532 Neptune Ave., where the shopping center stood, and 626 Sheepshead Bay Road, according to the announcement.

Construction on the development’s first phase, a seven-story, 161,000-square-foot retail and commercial building at 626 Sheepshead Bay Road, has already begun and is expected to be completed by the summer of 2017.

Cammeby’s International Group plans to begin work at 532 Neptune Ave. this fall.

The real estate firm could not be reached for comment on Cucco’s call for a suspension of the project.

But in the Neptune/Sixth announcement, Jacob Cohen of Cammeby’s stated that the company is a longtime investor in Coney Island and that the developer appreciates “the unique cultural fabric of this community and have approached Neptune/Sixth with an eye toward creating a true neighborhood destination that supports the needs of residents and positively contributes to the area.”

Cammeby’s International Group is looking forward “to providing existing Coney Island retailers and services with an updated and modern environment in which to grow their businesses, while also welcoming new tenants to enhance the base of amenities for the neighborhood,” Cohen stated.

Cucco and Harris are running in the Sept. 13 Democratic Primary for the right to run in the Nov. 8 general election for the Assembly seat in the 46th district. The district includes parts of Bay Ridge-Dyker Heights, Coney Island and Brighton Beach.

 


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