Hugo Subotovsky, the architect for the project, was seeking approval for a Bronx development called Boricua Village and obtained it while working on Carrión’s house project. The "New York Daily News"' reports about the subject suggested that Carrión, as borough president, was instrumental in this approval. "The New York Times" reported that the project had widespread community support and that though Carrión did recommend the necessary zoning changes after reviewing the project, borough presidents only advise and “cannot kill proposals.” Carrión himself claims that his hiring of Subotovsky had nothing to do with the Boricua Village project.