Amid heat from her constituents, Brooklyn council member Letitia James has done an about-face on City Point, Crain’s reported.
She previously criticized the large, 1.9-million-square-foot mixed-use project in Downtown Brooklyn over its hiring of non-union workers, but is now showing support. James removed her name from a lawsuit by a group of unions that had alleged contractors were going to pay “poverty-level wages,” as previously reported.
Although developers told Crain’s the project has since not changed, James – who is campaigning for public advocate – said in a statement Wednesday she is “proud” to lend support to the development.
Nearly 40 community activists were expected to attend a rally later that day, in response to James’ opposition to the project that would result in jobs. The union members submitted a letter cited by Crain’s that said an all-union project would probably inhibit the hiring of minorities, women and locals in general.
Construction recently began on the second phase of the project. The first phase of City Point, along Fulton Mall, was finished last year. [Crain's] – Mark Maurer