We Need More Cowbell

A perfect example of the public advocate approach to governing — swoop in at the last moment and delay everything with flashy demands designed to extract additional concessions:

For years, the plan to redevelop the Domino Sugar refinery in Williamsburg was viewed in the neighborhood with dread, roundly derided as a line of bulky new buildings that would clog the Brooklyn waterfront.

But when a new developer took over the property two years ago, he completely redesigned the buildings, expanded the park space, added office space for tech firms and kept the previous owner’s promise that 660 of the 2,300 apartments, an unusually large proportion by New York standards, would be set aside for low- and middle-income tenants.

With these moves — and smaller ones like adding tables for domino games — the developer, Jed Walentas, won over virtually all of the neighborhood groups and elected officials.

But despite all that, Mr. Walentas’s $1.5 billion proposal is now in jeopardy with the new mayor, Bill de Blasio.

The mayor’s administration is insisting that the developer add even more space for affordable housing and, as a result, fewer market-rate apartments, in exchange for the zoning changes that Mr. Walentas needs to build his towers with spectacular views of Midtown Manhattan.

Also enjoyable — the “we have made it very clear” trope that is emerging from this administration:

The issues came to a head on Monday and Wednesday, when Mr. Walentas met with Carl Weisbrod, the new city planning commissioner, and Alicia Glen, the deputy mayor for housing and economic development.

“The administration has been very clear: When the city creates significant additional value for developers through the zoning process, the public should receive its fair share of affordable housing,” Ms. Glen said on Thursday.

It’s easy to say “we have been very clear,” but being clear is not the same as being effective — you can be “clear” on a lot of things without ever getting your way . . .

Location Scout: Domino Sugar Factory.