A long-vacant office property in Brooklyn’s Bay Ridge neighborhood could soon be redeveloped into a mixed-use residential tower, as city officials weigh a rezoning proposal aimed at addressing housing demand while revitalizing an underutilized site.
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The property at 9201 Fourth Ave., once home to medical offices, has sat empty for years and fallen into disrepair. Surrounded by fencing, scaffolding and visible signs of neglect, the site has become a point of concern for residents, many of whom are now cautiously optimistic about redevelopment plans.
Under the proposal, the site would be transformed into an 11-story building featuring 97 residential units above a ground-floor supermarket. The project requires approval from the New York City Council, with a decision expected by early June.
Local residents expressed mixed sentiments, balancing a desire for improvement with concerns about preserving Bay Ridge’s character.
“Anything is better than the state right now,” said resident Margaret Karminovich. “But we should not change the face of Bay Ridge.”
Others see the development as a necessary step in addressing the city’s ongoing housing shortage. Jihad Toom, a longtime resident, voiced support for additional housing supply.
“More and more of this, please,” Toom said. “We could all use a place to live, especially in New York when it’s already a competition to find a place to rent for a decent or reasonable price that’s close to public transportation.”
The proposal includes 24 affordable housing units, aligning with city requirements for developments that increase density through rezoning. While this marks progress for the neighborhood, some community members and officials have called for a higher share of affordable units.
The rezoning effort, introduced by Council Member Kevin Riley, would change the site’s designation from commercial to mixed-use, allowing residential development. Brooklyn Community Board 10 has already approved the proposal in a 24-2 vote, citing the site’s prolonged vacancy and proximity to transit as key advantages.
However, the project must still complete the city’s formal review process. The City Council’s review period is set to conclude on June 1.
The push for new housing comes amid mounting affordability challenges across New York City. Residents say securing reasonably priced housing remains difficult, particularly in neighborhoods with strong transit access like Bay Ridge.
“I had to go through the whole broker thing, all of them were charging ridiculous fees,” said Leonard Leo Visvaas, who searched for housing in the area last year.
“Rent is obviously insanely high,” Toom added. “Obviously, we can do better.”
Recent data shows a surge in housing approvals in Bay Ridge, with more than 500 units approved in 2024 alone—matching the total number approved over the previous decade combined. Still, affordable housing development has lagged, with no such units added in multi-family projects between 2010 and 2024.
While many residents welcome the prospect of revitalization, some remain wary of overdevelopment and its impact on neighborhood identity.
“I don’t want to be another Williamsburg,” Karminovich said. “I like the Bay Ridge it is right now.”
If approved, the project would replace a deteriorating structure with new housing and retail space, potentially reshaping a prominent corner of the neighborhood while contributing to the city’s broader housing strategy.
Originally reported by Benjy Sachs, sohinidesai, jackwalker in New York City News Service.
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