New York’s City Council last week approved a nonbinding, home-rule message to state legislators to remove Marx Brothers Playground’s parkland status. That would allow a huge new development planned by AvalonBay Communities and city officials to move forward.

The 1.5-acre playground is part of a proposed 1,100-unit, mixed-income residential tower than would be more than 720 feet high.

The benefits to the community from the project include: “the first new high schools in East Harlem in 50 years, and they come alongside 300 permanently affordable apartments, new jobs for local residents and a full replacement of the playground,” said Mayoral spokesperson Freddi Goldstein to the New York Post.

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