Plans to build affordable housing units above Throgs Neck Super FoodTown not moving forward
FoodTown management told News 12 the plans are a no-go.
The Super FoodTown on the Bruckner was set to build affordable housing units.
The proposal passed in the City Council in October 2022. In order to tackle the housing crisis, the supermarket would expand to an eight-story building and add more income-based housing.
Super FoodTown director of Store Operations, Harry Celentano, told News 12 the project would require a full demolition and a two-year reconstruction project. For those reasons, the management team isn’t moving forward.
In a letter sent to employees last week, owner Joe Bivona notified staff he sold the company to another owner.
Sources say he still owns the building but sold the supermarket to the Sun family.
The sale of the company had community members questioning if new management would kickstart the build.
FoodTown management reassured News 12 the plans are a no-go.
Some community members were thrilled by the news.
“I’m very happy to hear that,” said resident, Johanna, “We went to meetings and everything, we were fighting it.
News 12 reached out to the Department of City Planning, inquiring if it was aware of the new plan not to build.
A spokesperson from City Planning didn’t answer our request directly, but issued this statement instead, “The Bruckner rezoning is a big win for this community, bringing hundreds of homes and income-restricted homes, a grocery store, and community space for youth to a Bronx neighborhood that needs more housing. This is the right project at the right time, and we look forward to seeing it come to fruition.”
