Public meeting set on possible Village View parking lot sale

Councilmember Harvey Epstein will host a public meeting tomorrow (Thursday, Sept. 3) about the proposed sale of one of Village View's parking lots.

The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at STAR Academy (P.S. 63), 121 E. Third St. between Avenue A and First Avenue. Assemblymember Keith Powers, State Sen. Brian Kavanagh and Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal are also expected to attend. 

According to a flyer distributed to Village View residents, attendees will be able to provide feedback on the proposal. Registration is not required to attend. 

As previously reported, the Village View board has been exploring a possible sale of the property. 

According to minutes from the co-op's January board meeting, directors voted to hire Alan Cohen of ABS Partners under a six-month exclusive contract to market Parking Lot 7 — located on Second Street between Avenue A and First Avenue — to prospective residential developers. 

The board's decision to retain a broker has prompted questions among some shareholders about what, exactly, could be built there and how any future project might affect the co-op and the surrounding neighborhood.

The possibility of redevelopment has raised concerns among some shareholders, who say they want more transparency about the process and assurances that affordable housing will be considered if the site ultimately moves forward with development.