East New York’s Broadway Junction is primed for a wave of new investment as the City Council greenlit Totem’s Herkimer-Williams ULURP application. The plan would redevelop a privately owned two-acre tract into a dynamic mixed-use node with affordable housing and substantial community-oriented amenities.
A turning point for a prominent Brooklyn site
Totem unveiled its proposal in the winter of 2021, aligning the Herkimer-Williams project with the East New York Neighborhood Plan and leveraging the 2016 rezoning. This approval advances a project that will integrate housing, jobs, educational spaces, retail, and new open areas at one of Brooklyn’s central transit intersections.
Totem celebrates a “Historic breakthrough” for East New York
Vivian Liao, Totem’s co-founder and principal, remarked, “With today’s Council vote, we mark a critical milestone not just for Herkimer-Williams but for East New York’s trajectory. Our work reflects the priorities of the community, with over 100 meetings and five years of engagement shaping this outcome. We thank the City, Council Member Nurse, the Borough President, and our partners for entrusting us to cultivate equity, opportunity, and positive growth in the community.”
Broadway Junction Housing Rendering -photo credit: Totem Developers
Significance for the neighborhood
With the ULURP process complete, Herkimer-Williams is officially cleared for development at Broadway Junction. If constructed as described, the project will create significant affordable housing, introduce public open spaces, and offer community facility spaces to serve the area’s needs. The blend of retail, commercial, and industrial components highlights an emphasis on pairing housing with work opportunities and vital services, including early-stage initiatives like the East New York Green Economy Institute to empower entrepreneurs.
Key aspects of the Herkimer-Williams development
Outlined plans include:
- Up to 1,000 new affordable housing units
- 25,000 square feet of public open space
- 85,000 square feet for community use, featuring educational anchor facilities
- Some 114,000 square feet of retail
- Approx. 440,000 square feet for commercial and 100,000 square feet for industrial use
Community input and upcoming programming
Totem underscores its commitment to local engagement, citing 100+ meetings with East New York leaders. In addition to new buildings, the project incorporates much-needed programming, such as the planned East New York Green Economy Institute to offer direct support to neighborhood entrepreneurs and job seekers.
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