NP Update 2/27/10 at 3:39 p.m.: The grand opening is Sunday, February, 28^th from 1 – 4 p.m.  And the brokers marketing the building just provided us five reasons you should attend:

Subsidized but NO lottery (lottery was already done.) With 47 units still available, this is the LARGEST first-come, first-serve subsidized project in NYC.

Named after Joan Maynard, founder of Weeksville Heritage Center, which is four blocks away.  After all, this IS African-American History Month.

The Corcoran Group’s first ever foray into subsidized housing.  Noted for primarily marketing luxury condo developments, this truly is a big deal for Corcoran!

First 12 buyers get 5% down SONYMA mortgages plus more incentives from the developer.

Marty is coming at 2 PM, Bloomberg is invited.  Councilmembers Vann and Mealy as well as Assemblyman Camara also may attend.

Did I mention coffee from The Breuklen Coffee House and pastries from Balthazar!

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Do you know who Joan Maynard is?  (We mean did you know before you clicked that link).  Joan Maynard was one of the most influential members of the historical Weeksville Heritage Society, an institution that itself has been instrumental in preserving the history of one of the “few remaining historical sites of post-Civil War African-American communities“.   And now there is a new affordable housing development named in Ms. Maynard’s honor.

Situated at 1509 Bergen Street at the corner of Schenectady Avenue – anchoring the historic Weeksville section of Crown Heights – is a new 47 unit cooperative, which will have a grand opening hosted by none other than Corcoran this weekend.  There is an undeniable need for affordable housing in this and other neighborhoods in the city, so Maynard is definitely poised to fill the need.  However, it is close to another affordable housing development – otherwise known as the Albany Houses – which could be a detractor, even for bargain house hunters.

Perhaps its proximity to amenities like the Brooklyn Children’s Museum, Weeksville, the St. Johns Recreation Center (with an indoor pool and memberships as low as $75 per year), and the availability of financing for 3% down will be attractive enough draws.  What do you think?

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NP Update: February 24, 2010 2:40 p.m.:

On a related note, there is a Homeowner/Homebuyer Night tonight Wednesday, February 24, 2010 6-9pm flyer
Homeowners, Homebuyers and Seniors are invited to PACC’s semi-annual fair featuring experts on financial preparedness and homeownership.

First Baptist Church of Crown Heights
450 Eastern Parkway (SW corner of Rogers)
Brooklyn, New York, 11225

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