Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams last week agreed with City Council Member Carlos Menchaca (Red Hook, Sunset Park) in giving a thumbs down for a proposed 200-bed, eight-story nursing home at 139-141 Conover Street in Red Hook.
Adams rejection of the idea came in his submitted Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) recommendation to disapprove with conditions the development of a second Oxford Nursing Home in the borough – with the other one being in Fort Greene.
“While I appreciate Oxford’s interest in bringing improved health care services to our borough, particularly our senior population, I have concerns about the proposal that they have submitted for review pertaining to new development in Red Hook,” said Adams. “Where we have a voice in the land use process, we should use it to encourage community development that is considerate of local context and neighborhood needs. It is my hope that these recommendations will serve as a good guide for this project’s stakeholders on whatever course it is to take going forward.”
Recognizing the existing neighborhood character, particularly the low-density housing along Sullivan Street, Adams called for the project to shrink its proposed building height and bulk to respect contextual development.
Adams also noted the considerable amount of trucks and ambulettes travelling to the proposed entrance for a parking facility and loading area on Sullivan Street as well as to the proposed ambulatory diagnostic and treatment facility on Conover Street, both of which would flow through residential Wolcott Street.
Adams advised the way to mitigate the increased traffic flow was included moving the parking facility and loading area entrances to King Street, along with related direction signage, as well as excluding the ambulatory diagnostic and treatment facility.
Should the proposal advance, Adams asked for affirmation of Oxford’s intent to incorporate resiliency and sustainability measures at the site such as the collection of stormwater to reduce combined sewer overflows, as well as the incorporation of solar panels and green roofs to improve energy efficiency and performance. He also sought assurances of a commitment to coordinate local hiring efforts with area service providers and community-based organizations.
Adams recommendations were generally in line with Menchaca’s views, who from the outset of the proposal about a year ago expressed grave concerns about placing a vulnerable nursing home population in Red Hook’s flood zone.
When the reps from Oxford approached Menchaca’s office, he our office, he asked them to engage the community and listen to Red Hook residents. At the same time, Menchaca and his staff worked with residents, community based orgs and Red Hook NYCHA residents to understand their needs and concerns.
After several public meetings on the topic, the Community Board 6 Land Use Committee voted the project down, only to have their general board vote in favor of it.
“I thank Borough President Adams for his thoughtful engagement of residents on the topic of building a large nursing facility west of Van Brunt Street in Red Hook’s Industrial Business Zone. He and his land use team have provided valuable insight and leadership on a project that could severely impact our community. Public meetings on the topic explored true needs in Red Hook for better access to medical care, employment opportunities, and services for seniors. Those meetings also brought to light grave resident concerns about safety, building scale, long-term resilience, traffic, and emergency preparedness,” said Menchaca.
“I have determined this nursing facility is not an appropriate response to our community’s very real needs. I propose the developer find a safer alternate location and keep vulnerable nursing home patients and their caregivers away from Red Hook’s highly stressed, low-rise, flood-prone, industrial zone.”
