Submitted by Gerard S. Rotondi, Dec 18, 2006 07:00

Whether the N.Y.C.L.P.C. casts their vote (and it is approved by a majority of the City Council) yea or nay on this project: I would like to see a concise decision finally made regarding the term "affordable" when it comes to building such in our city (especially in Manhattan). To the best of my knowledge, the phrase "affordable housing" is so "Loosey Goosey" that it could never be qualified in legal terms! What is really "affordable"? Most housing that is built today is certainly unaffordable to those citizens earning less than a higher 6 figure annual income. In other words, I doubt that any such housing will be available in this contested project (except offering up a few "token" apartments for those of moderate means). Once again, a giant shadow is about to be cast on the Middle Class of New York City! Take a lesson from history "Mr. Mayor & Company": It was always that "middle Class " ( which the real estate industry seems intent on pushing out of N.Y.C.) that keeps a Metropolis stable. Past civilizations whose populations were composed of the extremes of "rich and poor" have imploded leaving only latent traces of the grandeur they once were.

Note: Comments are screened, and in some cases edited, before posting. We reserve the right to reject anything we find objectionable.