The group convened a wide variety of stakeholders in regular meetings since September 2014. The committee included representatives of community boards, business improvement districts, REBNY, organized labor, the Municipal Art Society and landmark advocates.

“These recommendations will help enhance the East Midtown area as a world class commercial district in the 21st century,” says Brewer. "They will ensure that development doesn't happen haphazardly and that landmarks, open space, and transit upgrades are at the forefront of the development process, rather than an afterthought.

"The future of East Midtown has never looked brighter," adds Garodnick. "We are delivering a framework that will unlock the economic potential of this world-class business district, while preserving our historic resources and ensuring that the public derives a benefit from new development projects. East Midtown's potential will be realized both with new class-A office space, and with considerable improvements to our public realm and infrastructure.”

But not all stakeholders were pleased. A joint statement from St. Patrick's Cathedral, St. Bartholomew's Church and Central Synagogue says, “We are concerned that the high assessment on transfers proposed in the committee report greatly diminishes the rezoning's twin objectives of promoting development and historic preservation and we urge careful consideration of the plan to ensure our institutions can take full advantage of this unique opportunity.”

It continues, “Any assessment associated with the transfer of development rights which may be considered by the City Planning Commission going forward should be sized so that it does not undermine the intent of the transfer provision as originally envisioned by the steering committee: to provide relief from the high cost of maintaining landmark buildings and to assist in their overall preservation.”

REBNY could not be reached for comment by press time.