New York Mayor Bill de Blasio faces charges for giving preferential treatment to Hudson Cos., awarding a bid to them, recent report says.
The rights to transform a Brooklyn library into a residential skyscraper has been given to Hudson Cos., who bid $52 million. There were also two other bidders but Hudson Cos. bid $6 million and $1 million less than them, Realty Today has learned.
Speculations spread out that there's something behind de Blasio's preference. The Real Deal reveals that Hudson's CEO is David Kramer, mayoral friend and fundraiser. According to the source, Kramer bid lower and plans to place the affordable housing units off-site, of which de Blasio is against with.
The New York Post says almost all other bidders adhered to putting these affordable units in Clinton Street's building except Kramer. One source commented that Kramer's plans is directly contrary to de Blasio's goals for that development project, dubbed mayor's decision as "a sweetheart deal."
"He was not going to be the winning guy pre-de Blasio," the source commented.
TRD further explained that Kramer couple donated over $9,000 to de Blasio's public advocate and mayoral campaigns since 2007. However, the mayor returned the $400 cash for Kramer's company business with NY, the source added. This strengthened the speculations that the bidding was awarded to Kramer because he is a politically connected supporter.
Meanwhile, Brooklyn Public Library commented about the accusations.
"Hudson Companies offered by far the best bid for our library patrons and the community at large - including not only a very competitive purchase price, but short construction timelines, stringent contract provisions, the highest number of affordable housing units, a guaranteed interim library space, and a track record of delivering on projects of this size and complexity," spokesperson of Brooklyn Public Library responded.
Amid the accusations spreading around after de Blasio's grant to Hudson Cos., Brooklyn Public Library is still positive about the project.
"We are confident that Hudson is a strong development partner that will deliver a world-class library to the Brooklyn Heights community, and we look forward to working with them," the spokesperson told New York Post.
