Chelsea residents set parameters for Chelsea Market expansion approval

Manhattan Community Board 4 will likely urge the city to reject Jamestown Properties’ controversial plan to expand Chelsea Market, unless the developer agrees to a series of costly conditions, Crain’s reported. The board is expected to ask Jamestown Properties to shrink a 250,000-square-foot addition to the property, on Ninth Avenue spanning West 15th and West 16th streets. It will also recommend that the developer donate to a local affordable housing fund, reserve space for independent businesses in Chelsea Market and seek landmark status for the building. But the most serious request is for Jamestown to eliminate its plans for a 90,000-square-foot, 12-story hotel nearby on Ninth Avenue.

“On most of the recommendations, it’s fair to say that Jamestown is willing to thoughtfully consider — and not rule out — how to incorporate them into the project,” a Jamestown Properties spokesperson said.

Jamestown already revised its plans for the expansion once, switching to a brick design more in line with the existing structure from a glassy cubic addition.

The Chelsea Market expansion has angered many members of the community who worry that the project may displace residents and limit the neighborhood’s socio-cultural diversity. The board will vote on the plans June 6. [Crain’s]