Adam Potter’s Sag Harbor Housing Proposal Appears Doomed

After months of battles with the local community and sewerage major modifications, Adam Potter’s Sag Harbor housing project appears to be on its last breath.

The developer listed three of the five properties that made up his housing proposal, 27East reported. The three properties were individually listed for a combined $8.7 million, though the properties could likely be purchased together, maybe at a discounted rate.

The properties being listed are 23 Bridge Street and 8 and 12 Rose Street. The Bridge Street property is the priciest listing among the three, at $4.25 million. Compass’ Hal Zwick has the listings.

The listing of the three lots doesn’t guarantee Potter’s project is dead, but it’s an ominous sign. Potter didn’t comment to the outlet about the plans for the site and Zwick said he didn’t know the intended fate of the properties. Mayor Tom Gardella said Potter had been rethinking his plans.

Two years ago, Potter and his partners proposed a $70 million, three-story project along Bridge and Rose streets. His proposal included 33,000 square feet of commercial space on the first floor and 79 apartments, all of which would have been affordable.

The community pushed back hard, leading to the exit of partners including Conifer Realty. Potter gave it another go last summer, reducing the project to 39 apartments — 19 affordable — and 10,700 square feet of commercial space and a community center next door, which was subsequently dropped.

“I’ve listened to the various concerns of the Sag Harbor community,” Potter said after the scaled down proposal was revealed. “I’ve heard people. I’ve heard their concerns. I’ve listened.”

Developing affordable housing in Sag Harbor has been difficult. Last year, a judge blocked affordable housing measures of the village, which essentially paused Potter’s initial attempt at his project. Before that, Save Sag Harbor filed a lawsuit to block his unpopular project.

— Holden Walter-Warner