City finance department records show that 157 Norfolk St., a development parcel alongside the Children’s Magical Garden, has been sold to a Yonkers-based real estate firm, the Horizon Group, for $3,350,000. The sale was finalized January 9. The documents were signed by David Marom, Horizon’s owner.
In November, the previous property owner, well-known Lower East Side developer Serge Hoyda, filed plans with the Buildings Department for a six-story, 7,242 square foot residential project on the sliver of a lot. During the summer, Hoyda enraged longtime supporters of the garden by erecting a fence dividing the green space. After a series of protests and community meetings, the city’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development transferred the garden parcels to the Green Thumb program, making those lots a permanent community space. Neighborhood activists had hoped to incorporate Hoyda’s property into the garden. They are, to say the least, unhappy about the prospect of a new building going up there, instead.
Last month, the Villager’s Sarah Ferguson reported that Hoyda had sold the property, apparently to Horizon, although confirmation that the company acquired 157 Norfolk only came today.
The only remaining question is how much did these developers donate to Margaret Chin’s election campaign? http://www.cityandstateny.com/tie-breaker-incumbent-councilwoman-exploits-transition-funds/