Local Pols Call A Meeting For September 10 To Discuss Development At The Former Lafayette Avenue Key Food

It’s time for another update on the status of development at 325 Lafayette Avenue — the site that previously was home to Key Food and New Lucky Laundromat, but which are now slated for transformation into an eight-story mixed-income housing tower — and the chances of the ground floor remaining a supermarket.

An informational meeting/town hall is being called next Thursday, September 10 from6:30-8:30pm at Emmanuel Baptist Church at 279 Lafayette Avenue. The event is being hosted by Assemblymember Walter Mosley, with support from Congressmember Hakeem Jeffries, State Senator Velmanette Montgomery, and Councilmember Laurie Cumbo.

In addition to updating residents on the development project, the meeting’s purpose is also to distribute a “food resource guide” (such as ours, but more comprehensive) listing other local food markets, grocery stores, and food delivery services, said Kristia Beaubrun, a spokesperson for Cumbo.

The first town hall on the 325 Lafayette Avenue development, back in February, was an emotionally heated affair with residents angry about the potential loss of a much-needed food source and the landlord fielding questions without having many answers.

The Key Food closed July 10/11 to make way for construction and the last we heard was in April when Public Advocate Letitia James noted the issue might eventually make its way to court.

There is still no guarantee that a supermarket will return to the site after the tower is constructed in three years.