Freedom Plaza, the $11.1-billion East Side Manhattan civic and cultural plan created by Soloviev Group and Mohegan, was front and center at its first Community Advisory Committee (CAC) public hearing. Developers pitched their traffic and housing master plan, hoping to resolve any community concerns while highlighting the wider benefits of the project.
Supporters of the project, including local businesses, unions, religious leaders, and community members, appeared in droves, and over 2,000 citizens gave public comments in favor. They followed the lead of 250 small businesses and 10,000 Manhattan residents that signed a petition favoring the construction.
The development promises 1,049 new homes, with nearly half reserved as affordable units for working families. It also includes five acres of open green space, retail and dining venues, a daycare center, a food market, a museum of democracy, and a community hub.
