Thank you to everyone who joined the CFDC Community Meeting on June 18. We were encouraged by the strong engagement from residents who care deeply about the future of Tribeca.

You can review the full meeting video and summary below. The presentation slides are available here and on our Resources page.

The meeting covered four areas.

• CFDC President Stephanie Kelemen provided an update on the proposed modifications to Independence Plaza and the developer’s plans for a tower that could exceed 1,000 feet in height. She reviewed recent filings, outlined the project’s projected timeline, and discussed what a worst-case development scenario could mean for Tribeca’s physical scale, neighborhood character, community facilities and quality of life.
• Tom Devaney, a Senior Associate at George M. Janes & Associates, walked attendees through the environmental review process and highlighted areas where additional analysis and disclosures may be necessary. His presentation addressed issues including impacts on historic resources, construction risks, affordable housing, shadows, pedestrian conditions and other neighborhood concerns that deserve careful evaluation as the review process moves forward.
• CFDC Secretary Renee DeSantis reminded residents of a simple but important message: “You have a voice. Use it.” She discussed the many reasons residents are engaged in this issue, from affordable housing and neighborhood safety to environmental impacts and preserving what makes Tribeca unique. Then she outlined concrete steps community members can take this week. You can review that time-critical list here.
• CFDC Trustee Eric Anderson introduced the concept of a broader Tribeca Neighborhood Plan. This proposed planning process includes, but extends beyond, the current tower proposal and seeks to create a community-driven vision for the neighborhood’s future, including discussions around zoning, affordability, height limits, quality of life and opportunities for meaningful public input.

We concluded the evening with a Q&A session, also included in the meeting video, covering a wide range of topics.