CB2 backs 99‑unit building at 126 Lafayette and supports HDFC plans at 30 Thompson and 285 Hudson
Summary
Manhattan Community Board 2 supported a 99‑unit mixed‑use project at 126 Lafayette that includes 25 on‑site affordable units and endorsed proposed HDFC affordable housing at 30 Thompson and 285 Hudson, while noting concerns about construction‑wage protections.
Manhattan Community Board 2 voted to support three housing proposals at its September meeting: a 99‑unit mixed‑use building at 126 Lafayette Street that includes 25 affordable units, and two related projects — affordable rental or HDFC cooperative proposals at 30 Thompson Street and 285 Hudson Street.
The board’s land use and housing committee recommended the 126 Lafayette project for approval and the full board adopted that recommendation. Committee members commended the applicant for providing on‑site affordable units under the city’s Mandatory Inclusionary Housing (MIH) program, including two‑bedroom options, and for designing an all‑electric building with submetering. The committee also noted the developer’s commitment that building staff would receive prevailing wages.
At the same time, several board members criticized the project’s decision to structure the development so that construction workers are not required, under zoning thresholds, to be paid prevailing wage. Committee members said the applicant’s choice to deliver 99 units — rather than a larger project size that could have triggered prevailing wage requirements — reduced labor protections. Katie Bordenaro summarized the committee’s view: while the project advances needed housing, it exposes a structural gap in how prevailing wages apply to certain project sizes.
CB2 also voted unanimously to support proposed affordable housing at two nearby sites, 30 Thompson and 285 Hudson, noting the projects will provide additional affordable options and that placing affordable units on‑site (rather than off‑site) was preferred.
Why it matters: The approvals add housing — including permanently affordable units — within Community District 2. The committee framed the vote as a net gain for housing while also calling attention to policy-level issues about labor standards in construction.
Next steps: The CB2 recommendations will be provided to the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) and the City Council for any discretionary approvals and to the agencies administering MIH. Board minutes record unanimous committee support for the projects, with the single policy critique focused on prevailing wage applicability.
