DEVELOPMENT TRUMPS ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS; YASSKY RADIATES WITH PRIDE

In November 2008, Donald Trump and Councilman David Yassky announced Trump's first Brooklyn venture: the Trump Irridium, a 29-story residential tower to be built at Kent Avenue and Grand Street in Williamsburg. The annnouncement ended a contentious year-long landmark fight over the Radiac Building at 33 South First Street.

At a Kent Avenue press conference, a radiant Yassky explained the historic compromise that involves preserving the iconic stucco structure by building the residential tower atop it, and demolishing the neighboring block of historic commercial buildings.

The newly-cleared properties will provide convenient street-level parking and allow the tower to comply with zoning setback requirements. The resulting transfer of air rights and rejiggering of Floor Area Ratios gives the Irridium the height variance necessary to exceed the six floor maximum for structures East of Kent Avenue - mandated by the 2005 rezoning of Williamsburg's waterfront.

"I've never been a believer in second chances," glowed Trump at the press conference. "The Radiac property is going to be given a second chance." (Radiac has served as a transfer depot and storage facility for low-level radioactive waste for 25 years at the Williamsburg location).

The Irridium will feature 78 units of market-priced co-ops; six units designated "affordable" - to be located in the historic first floor former Radiac facility (these units will be marketed as "Geiger's Green"); and a basement-level Whole Foods store.