A Message from Stephanie Kelemen

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

The time to act is now.

As many of you know, our community is facing the threat of a proposed supertall tower that would fundamentally alter the fabric of our neighborhood. This project has not yet received final approval from the City—which means we still have a chance to stop it. But that window is closing, and we need your voice more than ever.

Supertall luxury towers are not just out of scale—they are out of step with the needs of real New Yorkers. These developments drive up land values, displace long-term residents, and undermine the goals of affordable housing. You cannot build community by building over it. And you certainly cannot solve an affordability crisis by catering to the ultra-wealthy.

The developers and their lobbyists would have us believe that New York is in a “housing crisis,” and that any new construction is progress. But let’s be clear: this is not a housing crisis—it’s an affordability crisis. There is no shortage of luxury condos in this city. What we lack are homes that working families, seniors, and young people can afford. And yet, over and over again, we see policy skewed toward the interests of Big Developers instead of the people who live here.

We at the Community First Development Coalition believe in a better way forward—one that puts people before profit, and long-term sustainability over short-term speculation. If you agree, we urge you to get involved today. Make a donation, sign our petition, write to your elected officials, encourage others to sign up for our emails, follow us on Instagram and Facebook, or simply spread the word.

In solidarity,

Stephanie Kelemen
President, Community First Development Coalition