City Council to approve Two Trees’ BAM South project

BAM South rendering
BAM South rendering

UPDATED 6:13 p.m., June 17: The City Council is poised to green light the BAM South development today, WNYC reported. The mixed-use project, developed by Two Trees Management, will feature a 50,000-square-foot cultural center, a 20,000-square-foot Public Plaza and 300 units of housing.

“Two Trees is grateful to the City Council for its support and proud to partner with the city and some of Brooklyn’s most innovative cultural institutions to advance the growth of downtown Brooklyn’s world-class cultural district,” Jed Walentas, a principal at Two Trees, said in a statement.

In order to pass the proposal, Councilmember Letitia James reached an agreement to move the nearby Pacific Street library to the BAM South building and preserve the library’s own original structure.

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Previously, James had threatened to veto the project unless construction workers received a prevailing wage, as previously reported. James also indicated that the number of affordable housing units — currently at 60 — may not be sufficient and raised concerns that the Pacific Street library would be razed to make way for apartments.

In turn, Jane Walentas, the wife of Two Trees founder David Walentas, last week revoked her support for James’ campaign for city Public Advocate, as previously reported. [WNYC]Zachary Kussin