Steve Levin is a member of the New York City Council who represents Brooklyn's 33rd District. The 33rd District includes the neighborhoods of Greenpoint, Williamsburg, Dumbo, Boerum Hill, Vinegar Hill, Brooklyn Heights, Downtown Brooklyn, Gowanus, and Park Slope. Levin was elected to replace David Yassky, who vacated the position to run for New York City Comptroller.
He currently resides in Greenpoint, Brooklyn.[1]
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Levin grew up in Plainfield, New Jersey. He is related to US Senator Carl Levin of Michigan, and Congressman Sander Levin from Michigan's 12th congressional district.[2]
Levin graduated from Brown University with a degree in Classics and Comparative Literature. He later moved to Brooklyn and worked for Ridgewood Bushwick Senior Citizens Council (RBSCC) in Bushwick.[3] Starting in 2006, Levin served as Chief of Staff for NY State Assemblyman Vito Lopez, and he credits Lopez with teaching him everything he knows about politics. [4]
Levin was elected in 2009, in a competitive 7-way race. Vito Lopez helped him to secure endorsements from the United Federation of Teachers (UFT), DC 37, the Working Families Party, the NY League of Conservation Voters, Senator Charles Schumer, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, and Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney.[5]
The final election results were:[6]
Steve Levin: 5,199 (33.7%),
Jo Anne Simon: 3,109 (20.2%),
Isaac Abraham: 1,937 (12.56%),
Evan Thies: 1,915 (12.4%),
Ken Diamondstone: 1,324 (8.6%),
Doug Biviano: 1,127 (7.3%),
Ken Baer: 811 (5.3%).
Levin originally opposed the Rose Plaza housing complex on the Williamsburg waterfront. The project initially called for 20 percent affordable housing and 30 three-bedroom apartments. Levin then voted for the project when the developer agreed to build 60 three-bedroom apartments and 14 four-bedroom apartments, all priced below the market rate. The development passed in council 18-1.[7]
Levin also negotiated an agreement with the Community Preservation Corporation Resources (CPCR) over the Domino Sugar factory redevelopment plan. He called for a reduction in the size of the plan from 2200 units to 1600 units, and an increase in the percent of below-market-price apartments from 30 to 40 percent. Levin said of his opposition, "People have concerns about the height, the density, the transportation negative impacts and open space negative impacts that this project will have. This is a refrain that I hear from everyone, even if they support this project." On June 29th, 2010, Community Preservation Corporation Resources agreed to reduce the size of the tallest towers from 40 to 34 stories, while retaining 660 permanent affordable units. In addition, the CPCR agreed to provide shuttle service to nearby subway lines.[8]
He has also worked with Assemblyman Vito Lopez to seek federal subsidies for public housing developments in Brooklyn. He passed a resolution in the Council supporting the federalization of New York City Housing Authority developments. Federalizing these developments brought $400 million to the 21 building developments in question, and an annual subsidy of up to $75 million.[9]
Along with Councilmembers David Greenfield, Letitia James, and Brad Lander, Levin lobbied Mayor Bloomberg and Council Speaker Christine Quinn to restore funding for Priority 7 Daycare Vouchers.[10]
Most recently, Levin opposed budget cuts that would result in the closure of the Bethel Baptist and Strong Place Day Care Centers, the Gowanus Senior Center, and the Douglass Degraw Pool. All of these centers are located within one 6 block by 8 block area. The area faced the largest brunt of the budget cuts per size of any section of the city.[11] Eventually, funding was restored by Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Finance Chair Domenic Recchia, and Mayor Bloomberg. [12]
| Political offices | ||
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| Preceded by David Yassky |
New York City Council, 33rd District 2010–present |
Incumbent |
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