Prior to next Monday's auction for the sale of Spring Creek Towers, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz sent the following letter to residents of the 5,881-unit housing complex, pledging his support to maintain reasonable rents.

Dear Spring Creek Residents:

As all residents of Ardsley, Bethel, Croton, Delmar, Elmira, Freeport, Geneva, and Hornell know, your development is one of the best examples of successful, diverse urban living in this nation.

Let's face it, Starrett City - a.k.a Spring Creek - is as Brooklyn as it gets. And it remains the case that as goes Starrett City, so goes Brooklyn.

That is why for me, and for all the public officials lucky enough to represent you, there is nothing more important than preserving the affordable housing at Starrett City for you. I have pledged, along with a coalition of elected officials, to investigate all groups bidding on this sale, and to look closely at their record of dealing equitably with tenants in complex subsidy situations.

Brooklyn must never become a place for only the very rich and the very poor - it must continue to be a place that those of all incomes and ethnicities can call home.

We will be with you every step of the way. In my office, my senior counsel Fred Arriaga will be dedicated to this project, and we will be doing everything in our power to protect your rights. Please do not hesitate to contact my office with any questions, at

718-802-3700, or by e-mail at askmarty@brooklynbp.nyc.gov.

In the New York Times, a Spring Creek tenant was recently quoted as saying that whoever designed this project "must have loved people."

I take those words to heart, and am committed to doing everything I can to make sure that the enduring promise of Spring Creek is kept.

Sincerely,

Marty Markowitz

Borough President