Riled-up residents are fuming over the proposed expansion of Chelsea Market, complaining about noise, traffic, blocked sunlight and a further erosion of the neighborhood’s historic character.
Market owner Jamestown Properties wants to add 240,000 square feet of office space fronting 10th Avenue in a platform rising up to eight stories above the existing six-story building. A 90,000-square-foot hotel would have its entrance on Ninth Avenue and 16th Street.
Opponents have packed a series of forums sponsored by Community Board 4.
“We think it’s going to add to congestion and really tip the balance of development and affordability in the entire neighborhood,” said Lesley Doyel, 58, co-president of the group Save Chelsea, which opposes the expansion.
Jamestown would need a zoning change once it formally submits a proposal to the city, and it has spent months trying to win residents over.
“Jamestown and its design team have spent the past year modifying the design to incorporate input from the community,” said spokesman Lee Silberstein.