August 13, 2006
Senator Clinton rips ‘park’ condos (Brooklyn Papers)
Hillary rips ‘park’ condos
Calls luxury homes on waterfront ‘disingenuous’
By Dana Rubinstein
The Brooklyn Papers
Senator Hillary Clinton criticized Brooklyn Bridge Park as “yet another luxury condo project” — and in doing so, became the highest-profile elected official to speak out against the housing, commercial and open-space development that’s being promoted as a park.
Leaders of the Empire State Development Corporation — the state agency that owns the “park” site — have insisted that the project be self-sustaining. As a result, they plan to construct luxury housing as a precursor to recreational development.
“If parks had to be self-sustaining, would anyone have ever built a park?” Clinton asked.
She called the housing scheme “disingenuous.”
“It’s not luxury housing we need,” she added. “We absolutely need affordable housing.”
The project site spans the Brooklyn Heights and DUMBO waterfronts, from Atlantic Avenue to the Manhattan Bridge. The first housing is planned for the foot of Atlantic Avenue; in addition, the massive industrial building on Furman Street, between Joralemon Street and Atlantic Avenue, has been transferred from city to “park” property, allowing its owner to expand the building and convert it to residential use while skirting city review.
Clinton echoed the project’s opponents, questioning why the government would cede public land to private developers.
“Public land should be public land,” she said.
The senator’s summer reading may have prompted her to speak out on the thorny issue. She’s just finished the still-unreleased autobiography of Nobel Prize recipient Wangari Maathai, a long-time green crusader in Kenya.
“One of her great accomplishments was stopping luxury housing in Uhuru Park in Nairobi,” said Clinton, who recommended the book.
Opponents of the state “park” plan applauded Clinton for speaking out. “We are extremely heartened by her remark,” said Judi Francis, president of the Brooklyn Bridge Park Defense Fund, which is suing the state over the financing scheme.
The Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corporation, the agency overseeing the development, refused to comment.
Posted by klowy at 11:29 AM | Comments (0)
June 25, 2006
Brooklyn Bridge Park Public Meeting June 28th
The Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corporation invites you to an update on the current design for Brooklyn Bridge Park. Representatives of the project planning team will present the most recent design for the proposed park, and a scale model will be on display. There will be an opportunity for discussion.
Wednesday, June 28th, 6:00 pm
Long Island University, Brooklyn Campus
Health Sciences Center, Room 107
(Entrance at the corner of DeKalb Avenue and Hudson Avenue)
Subways:
B, Q or R to DeKalb Avenue Station
2, 3, 4 or 5 to Nevins Street
A, C or G to Hoyt-Schermerhorn Station
Please email brooklynbridgepark@empire.state.ny.us or call (212) 803-3826 for further information.
Posted by klowy at 11:56 PM | Comments (0)
June 07, 2006
One Brooklyn Bridge Park Pictures
The new One Brooklyn Bridge Park web site is up.
Beautuful views! Look at that marina. I can't wait to put my canoe there.
Here are the good folks of 1 BBP getting some sun.
Posted by klowy at 10:50 PM | Comments (0)
May 29, 2006
The Brooklyn Bridge Park (editorial from the NY Times)
May 28, 2006
The City
The Brooklyn Bridge Park
It would be a shame if a lawsuit filed to halt development on the planned Brooklyn Bridge Park site also puts a stop the park's progress. But legal action should not have been a surprise. Now that the city and state have undertaken a waterfront renaissance where once there were only industrial sites and warehouses along the harbor and the East River, nearby residents are asserting their own claims on the public spaces.
The issue in Brooklyn involves a 1.3 mile stretch of land with dramatic views of the water and Manhattan. The authorities, who are short of money, have cut a deal with the private sector. About 10 percent of the 85 acres of the park would be developed, providing a hotel and 1,200 luxury apartments in condominium towers.
For their part, the city and state would contribute about $150 million to build the park. Fees and revenues from the development would pay for park maintenance, about $15 million annually.
Local residents need assurances that the park will remain public, and not serve as a private backyard for anyone who can afford to live in the fancy towers. The Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corporation — an arm of the Empire State Development Corporation, a state-run authority — should be doing more to allay their fears.
It could, for example, do a better job of explaining how it arrived at the costs of maintenance. It could leave open the possibility that densities will be reduced if costs are cut. And it could guarantee that the public spaces will be just that, and — as David Yassky of the City Council has suggested — that the residential buildings will not be built faster than the park itself is.
To get this far on the park has taken 20 years. A few more reasonable compromises could move things along.
Posted by klowy at 11:35 AM | Comments (0)
May 27, 2006
More bad press for the Bklyn Bridge Pk Development Corp.
‘Park’ to stay closed
Despite promise and city funding, state won’t open piers
The state has reneged on a promise to open up waterfront piers for recreation this summer — and, in the process, cost the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy $500,000.
“The money was allocated for recreation on the piers, but now it’s just too late to do anything,” said Marianna Koval, co-executive director of the Conservancy.
Three months ago, the Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corporation, the state agency in charge of developing the waterfront, solicited ideas for summertime recreational uses for the fenced-off piers between Atlantic Avenue and the Manhattan Bridge.
The Conservancy proposed a moveable greenway for biking and a sandy beach, complete with a temporary hot-dog shack.
“We were so excited to finally get people out there,” said Koval.
Koval’s organization had $500,000 from the City Council to make it happen — but then the state development corporation changed its mind.
The state’s change of mind was particularly frustrating for park advocates, especially Conservancy members, who have backed the plan in the face of objections that it will include luxury condos within its footprint (see sidebar).
Posted by klowy at 12:34 AM | Comments (0)
More park, less pork (editorial in Brooklyn Papers)
More park, less pork (read the full editorial here)
Editorial
One would have to be a hopeless curmudgeon not to support the idea of a ribbon of parkland along the Brooklyn waterfront.
But the devil lurks in the details of how a site goes from green sketches in a landscape architect’s notebook to hosting soccer games and kayak races.
In the case of Brooklyn Bridge Park, the devil’s in the form of a decision made by state planners to include luxury housing within the “park” — private housing that is supposed to pay for regular maintenance of public green space.
As a result, community members who want a genuine park are suspicious when state planners claim just a few new residential buildings will pay for maintaining it. In the past, authorities have suggested that if there is a shortfall in revenues — as there inevitably will be — the solution will be to build more housing within the park.
Unless the state changes its approach, Brooklyn Bridge Park will end up little different than Battery Park City — a string of green surrounded by tall buildings that is used primarily by the people who live there, not a park for the entire community.
Posted by klowy at 12:31 AM | Comments (0)
“These buildings will give the park its identity”
‘Park’ will be known for its buildings, not space
By Ariella Cohen
The Brooklyn Papers
Buildings — not open space — will give the Brooklyn Bridge Park its identity, a member of the project’s design team said last week.
Condo towers within the footprint of the 1.3-mile commercial and recreational development are the most controversial element of the design — and, in fact, are now the subject of a lawsuit to prevent their construction.
That didn’t prevent a member of the design team from championing those buildings at a community meeting last week.
“These buildings will give the park its identity,” Paul Whalen, a representative of newly hired architect Robert A.M. Stern, said last Thursday.
“One building could be like a lantern” on the waterfront, said Whalen. Others could be glass-walled “icons in the sky” or feature curved, Frank Gehry-style architecture.
Posted by klowy at 12:27 AM | Comments (0)
May 24, 2006
Rhapsody in Green at Sunset on Pier 9 (Fundraiser)
From the Brooklyn Bridge Park Defense Fund:
WE NEED YOUR HELP TO STOP THE CONDOS FROM THEIR PRECEDENT-SETTING TAKEOVER
OF BROOKLYN BRIDGE PARK!
Please come to our fundraising party
Rhapsody in Green at Sunset on Pier 9
Wednesday, May 31st - 6 to 9 PM
On Pier 9 in Brooklyn (free shuttle bus at the end of Atlantic Ave will take you out to the Pier, or drive into the Red Hook Terminal entrance at the end of Hamilton Avenue.)
Organic Wine Tasting, Wonderful Edibles, Auction, Music, Dancing at Sunset
RSVP 718.797.9830
$50 donation per person
If you can not come but would like to make a much needed donation to stop the housing in the park, please send a check to:
Brooklyn Bridge Park
Defense Fund
12 Willow Place
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Posted by klowy at 12:49 PM | Comments (0)
May 21, 2006
Brooklyn Bridge Park - Daily News Coverage
Brooklyn Bridge Park building booed
Private use of public land
BY ELIZABETH HAYS
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
(this is an edited version of the article)
Nearly 18 months after luxury condo towers were added to the upcoming Brooklyn Bridge Park, outraged advocates sued in a bid to stop the private development in a public park.
Charging that housing in the park would set a dangerous precedent, the Brooklyn Bridge Park Legal Defense Fund filed the lawsuit against state planners yesterday in Brooklyn Supreme Court.
"This is a scheme to help condo developers and give them public land for development," she charged.
The suit was endorsed by nine nearby community groups, including the Cobble Hill Association, the DUMBO Neighborhood Association and the Fort Greene Association.
The suit is the latest salvo in the ongoing struggle over the park, which community leaders began pushing for two decades ago.
One building at 360 Furman St. - now dubbed "One Brooklyn Bridge Park" - has already started marketing its luxury lofts.
"I deeply believe we have been railroaded into something that we shouldn't be railroaded into, and I hope we can stop it or change it," said Bronson Binger, a former City Parks Department assistant commissioner who has joined the opposition group.
Marianna Koval, co-executive director of the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy, which supports the current plan, called the plaintiffs "a few irresponsible people who are attempting to manipulate our legal system to prevent or delay this park."
Opponents said the nine groups combined represent 40,000 people.
Originally published on May 17, 2006
read the complete article here
Posted by klowy at 08:25 PM | Comments (0)
May 17, 2006
Brooklyn Bridge Park Defense Fund Sues
NY Post:
PARK ROW IN B'KLYN COURT
By RICH CALDER
May 17, 2006 -- Saying there's no room for condos in a public park, activists in Brooklyn Heights are suing to halt construction of the planned Brooklyn Bridge Park - unless more than 1,200 luxury apartments are removed from the waterfront plan.
The suit, filed yesterday in Brooklyn Supreme Court on behalf of nine borough civic groups and the Sierra Club, seeks to annul project approvals granted in January.
Judi Francis, who heads the civic groups' legal-defense fund, yesterday accused the ESDC of rewriting public park rules.
"This is a dangerous precedent that, if allowed to happen, will mean parks will no longer be public recreational spaces," she said.
Posted by klowy at 10:20 AM | Comments (0)
March 19, 2006
NY Times Purchase Building Article
Excellent article in this Sunday's New York Times on the Purchase Building. The Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corporation wants it demolished. It could be used in the park, but they don't want to. The Brooklyn Heights Assoc, The DUMBO Neighborhood Assoc., Friends of Brooklyn Bridge Park, Community Board 2, all want to see the building preserved. The Brooklyn Bridge Conservancy wants to see it demolished. Read the article, decide for yourself.
"This vote was the low point in the history of the landmarks commission," said Andrew S. Dolkart, a professor of historic preservation at Columbia University, adding: "It's disgraceful. I think the commissioners fell down on their duty, which is to preserve landmarks."
Posted by klowy at 10:06 PM | Comments (0)
March 05, 2006
360 Furman Street Update (it's not a park, it's an amenity)
Below are sections of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corporation and the owners of 360 Furman Street.
It starts out in a normal fashion:
"Whereas, on May 2, 2002, the State of New York and the City of New York entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to cooperate in the creation, development and operation of Brooklyn Bridge Park on approximately 67 acres stretching along the East River for 1.3 miles from Atlantic Avenue to Jay Street north of to Manhattan Bridge; and
Whereas, Developer is the owner of real property and improvements known as 360 Furman Street, Brooklyn, New York, …and
Whereas, Developer desires to develop the Property into a mixed use condominium project consisting of residential apartments, commercial space and a parking garage which will be condominium units; and"
And then it takes a bit of a detour:
“The new Park is an amenity that should help ensure the success of the new residential and commercial development of the 360 Furman Street Building"
Then the agreement discusses the PILOT's. They got a nice little break. In fact, they got a huge break. Without the break, they could pay for just about all of the maintenance for the park. But then there would no reason to build all those other condos.
"Total expected sales: $571,732,865 for 441 units @avg $1,013/SF
Dev to pay PILOT equivalent to J51 benefits to a taxable entity
Est annual carrying cost w/o J51 $12,422,530 (2%)
w/J51 $7,329,352 (1%)
Saving $5,095,179 (saving 41% of normal taxes)"
So the folks who can afford the million dollar condo get a tax break? Does that make sense?
Posted by klowy at 05:16 PM | Comments (0)
February 09, 2006
The pain of having to defend demolishing the Purchase Bldg.
At last evening's Community Board Meeting (CB2 - Brooklyn), the board voted 29 in favor, 0 against and 2 abstentions. They voted that the Purchase Building could be partially demolished (the loading dock area).
A member of the Conservancy and the Development Corporation showed up as did one of the architects. The Chair of the Land Use Committee mentioned that at last months meeting, only one person spoke in favor of demolition, it was a member of the Conservancy. During the discussion, board members asked many questions about the use of that area for the park. Matthew Urbanski, one of the architects sat in the back of the hall hoping no one would notice him. The chair asked if they were there. They said nothing. Finally I pointed them out and they had no choice but to come forward. Matthew clearly hates doing this and did a poor job of defending why they wanted to demolish the building. The vote showed this. Matthew is a good guy, but it seems clear that his heart just isn't in this anymore. You get the feeling that if he had his choice, he'd rather be somewhere else. Note to Matthew: get some enthusiasm for this project or have someone else be the front person.
Posted by klowy at 11:34 AM | Comments (0)
360 Furman Street
If you missed the announcement about 360 Furman Street (a.k.a. 1 Brooklyn Bridge Park), then you don't know the true definition of high-end luxury. Living here will not come cheap. And that means the PILOTS (payment in lue of taxes) should be truly high as well. The PILOTS could cover all of the maintenance costs for the park. If that's the case, then there is no reason for any other apartments in the park. Let's see what happens...
Posted by klowy at 11:28 AM | Comments (0)
February 05, 2006
Take Back Our Park Brunch - Sunday Feb 12
Sunday, February 12th
11 AM to 2 PM
"Take Back Our Park Brunch"
Caffe Buon Gusto
151 Montague Street
Suggested donation levels: $60, $150, and $300
This will be your chance to hear from community leaders about how we can get back to a real park, without housing, with recreation and open, welcoming entrances. We will present the facts about the budget and visuals from the park plan we thought we were getting. We will outline what we are doing to secure a real park instead of the private residential enclave it has become.
A silent auction will offer some pretty cool items, too, including a cut and style from one of NYC’s top hair stylists, and a week-long vacation condo on Cape Cod.
All funds will go to the Brooklyn Bridge Park Defense Fund, which, together with nine community and civic organizations surrounding the park and the NY State Chapter of the Sierra Club, is fighting to save our park from real estate developers.
RSVP to judi@parkdefense.org
Posted by klowy at 10:50 PM | Comments (0)
February 04, 2006
Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy Neighborhood Advisory Committee Mtg.
The Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy is about to re-convene the Neighborhood Advisory Committee (NAC). In a recent email, the Conservancy invited the public to join them for the first NAC meeting of 2006 (there were no meetings in 2005):
Tuesday, February 7
6:30 - 8:30 pm
334 Furman Street (corner of Joralemon)
The goals of the meeting are to discuss the NAC's role and processes for community input as Brooklyn Bridge Park evolves; and to discuss potential interim uses as Park construction begins.
Be there! It's your park!
Posted by klowy at 10:43 PM | Comments (0)
December 22, 2005
See the Brooklyn Bridge Park Plan in person
From now until Wednesday, Feb 8, 2006
The current plan for Brooklyn Bridge Park can be seen in the Architectural League's "New - New York" series of exhibits.
Architectural League
457 Madison Avenue (at 51st St.)
New York, NY
Posted by klowy at 11:04 PM | Comments (0)
December 21, 2005
Bklyn Bridge Pk EIS Available
The Final EIS is available:
http://www.empire.state.ny.us/bbpdc/bbpdcfeis.htm
Comments should be sent to:
Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corporation
Attn. Jamie Springer
633 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10017
brooklynbridgepark@empire.state.ny.us
Comments can be sent until january 17th, 2006.
The General Project Plan can be downloaded here:
http://www.empire.state.ny.us/bbpdc/pdf/Brooklyn_Bridge_Park_Project_Plan.pdf
Posted by klowy at 10:58 PM | Comments (0)
December 14, 2005
More Recreation!
More good news, more recreation! Now if we can just get rid of those apartments! The scene below is on one of those mound things (they're supposed to kill the noise from the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway). In the winter, if and when there's snow, you can sled down it.
More recreational things to do on Pier 3! We asked for recreation to be put back into the park, and they are finally listening. If they're still listening, let me just write this again "get rid of those apartments!"
Posted by klowy at 11:03 PM | Comments (0)
30 Stories, and the view is gonna be great, if you have a million dollars...
Yes, the 30 story tower is still in the plan. There are some improvements in the park plan, but this is not one of them! The luxery tower has got to go. No has proven that it's needed, and apartments do not belong in a public park!
Posted by klowy at 10:55 PM | Comments (0)
It's a Brownfield stupid!
For a long, long time I have been asking a simple question of the Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corporation. The question begins with a statement of fact:
Con Edison will be turning over their site at John Street (in DUMBO) for use in the new park. They have stated that the site is to be used as parkland. We know what Con Ed used the site for, so we also know that it is a Brownfield (i.e. it's polluted and needs to be cleaned up). First question: who will clean it up and where will the month come from? I ask because New York State has no money in their budget for Brownfield clean up. And the Development Corporation makes no mention of this in either the General Project Plan or the DEIS. And the follow up question: You intend to build luxury apartments on this site? Really? You're serious?
The image below is included as proof that yes, they still intend to build there. No park, just more apartments. Call David Yassky and tell him this stinks (718-875-5200). Then call Marty Connor (State Senator) at 212-298-5565 and your Assemblywoman Joan Millman (ask for Sam) at 718-246-4889. Ask them to fid the money to clean up this site and make it parkland, which is what Con Edison wants it to be.
Posted by klowy at 10:44 PM | Comments (0)
Skating in Brooklyn Bridge Park
I am posting a bunch of images from the Brooklyn Bridge Park meeting on Tuesday evening, December 13th, 2005. Below is an image that strikes me as relevant because it's 20 degrees outside. We've been asking for a skating rink for a long time. And now there are plans to put one under the Brooklyn Bridge during the winter months. This is good news!
Posted by klowy at 10:40 PM | Comments (0)
December 11, 2005
Public Meeting (to show a new BBP plan)
INFORMATIONAL MEETING ON BROOKLYN BRIDGE PARK
The Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corporation invites you to an update on the current design for Brooklyn Bridge Park. Representatives of the project planning team will present the schematic design for the proposed park, and an updated scale model will be on display. Following the presentation there will be an opportunity for questions and answers.
Tuesday, December 13th
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Polytechnic University
5 Metrotech Center - Dibner Auditorium
Posted by klowy at 12:35 PM | Comments (0)
December 10, 2005
Brooklyn Bridge Park Plan (part 1)
Here's what it's supposed to look like. The Development Corporation feels so good about their plan that they have refused to release a drawing.
Posted by klowy at 04:33 PM | Comments (0)
Brooklyn Bridge Park Update
OK, so I took some time off. It’s a long story, but I’m back.
Brooklyn Bridge Park is being killed by the Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corporation with the help and support of the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy. Last week I approached Mariana Koval (Co-Executive Director of the Conservancy, annual salary approx. $88K). She jokingly called me an “ignorant misguided slut”. She said it as a joke, and I thought it was funny. I said the following to her “in the end, we all want the same thing”. She said “no we don’t”. I responded, “We all want a great park”. She disagreed. I’m not clear on what she disagreed with because the conversation, such as it was, ended at that point.
For more information on the plan for Brooklyn Bridge Park that we want to see, go this link (and do it soon, because it could be gone soon).
http://www.bbpdc.org/
Register as a user and take a look around. You’ll be glad you took the time.
Then hop over to this link:
http://www.willowtown.org/
Click on the Brooklyn Bridge Park link.
Then take a look at the official link:
http://www.empire.state.ny.us/BBPDC/
And we’ll have a lot more in the coming days and weeks.
Posted by klowy at 04:08 PM | Comments (0)
April 02, 2005
BBPDC’s Public Meeting on Brooklyn Bridge Park
The Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corporation and Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates invite you to participate in a public meeting regarding Brooklyn Bridge Park. Join us on April 16th to discuss the design-related topics listed below.
Topics:
Recreation fields, court sports, water recreation, wind and comfort, sun and shade structures, wind and solar energy, paths and circulation, plazas, seating areas, natural habitats, stormwater management, water’s edge types, boardwalks, aquatic habitats, nature islands.
April 16, 2005
1:00-4:00pm
Long Island College Hospital
Conference Rooms A & B
339 Hicks Street
Brooklyn, New York
(Corner of Hicks Street
and Atlantic Avenue)
Posted by klowy at 11:04 AM | Comments (0)
March 13, 2005
Thinking Out of the Box: A Museum in Brooklyn Bridge Park
When I lived in Philadelphia as a kid (from age 9 to 14) we lived in a large apartment complex called Park Towne Place. It had four 19-story buildings (it was NOT in a park). It was about a half-mile walk to the Art Museum in one direction, and the Franklin Institute (http://www.franklininstitute.org) in the other direction. My family had a membership that permitted us to go any time. So we went all the time. In fact, at the Franklin Institute they have an exhibit called the working heart. You could walk through a heart and see how it worked. My younger brother and I would walk through that exhibit all the time. It was a fun museum. In San Francisco, they have the Exploratorium (http://www.exploratorium.edu), which is a hands on museum. What Brooklyn Bridge Park needs, in place of those horrible “town houses” on Furman Street, is a museum like this to bring in not only the community, but all of Brooklyn and New York. It can be a great field trip for schools, and it will make money for the park! You may be asking , "what's the downside?" There is none!
Posted by klowy at 10:52 PM | Comments (0)
New Brooklyn Bridge Park Pictures
Here are a few more pictures of the new plan for Brooklyn Bridge Park. The purple roadway type section is a cycling path. This will also fit into the Brooklyn Greenway Project. The small island type area next to the Brooklyn Yacht Club (at least that’s what I like to call it) is an island for birds and other wildlife. The idea is to create something in the park that is free from human interference. This is a nice new addition.
The glass like structure at the end of pier 5 is shown below. The idea is that it is an indoor soccer/recreational field. The design permits heating in the winter and natural cooling in the summer. A lot of people wonder about this structure. If it works, then it’s a nice new addition. There should be more things like this in the park.
The next workshop is Saturday March 19th.
Posted by klowy at 10:48 PM | Comments (0)
February 26, 2005
That 30 Story Tower
Have you been wondering what the 30 story tower at Atlantic Avenue will look like? Here is a picture taken from last weeks meeting at MetroTech (thanks to The Brooklyn Papers and Jori Klein). It fits right into the surrounding area, if you're a blind person. If you compare this to what the design looked like just a year ago, it is stunning. Last year there was a fountain welcoming you to Brooklyn Bridge Park. Today, you are not so welcome. While everyone understands the problem, a self-sustaining park, the solutions are wide and varied. What has not been looked in to, not to the extend that I would like, are recreational facilities, museums, and a transportation system. For example, last year there was talk of a trolley system to shuttle people to and from the park – and through the park. This would seemingly be a great idea for a variety of reasons. It’s almost free for the park and brings in much needed revenue. The free part is because the Brooklyn City Streetcar Company can get the trolleys for FREE! They need to clean them up, but being a not-for-profit, they hope to have a small museum in the park to fix them up and have interns (from local schools) help out. In my opinion this is simply too good to leave out of the park. The trolleys also help to get people from the much talked about water ferry to the subways and into the surrounding neighborhoods. And it’s a tourist attraction. Where is the downside?
The plan is not finished and thankfully at the meetings this week, the tone has been lowered considerably. I hope this begins a new chapter in cooperation between the development corporation, the architects and the public. Michael Van Valkenburgh even gave me a scarf this week as a gift. Fighting for a good park doesn’t have to mean literally fighting!
Posted by klowy at 12:46 PM | Comments (0)
February 22, 2005
Bklyn Bridge Park Master Plan (2000)
Yes, the plan has changed. What you see below is what was in the plan before the stark reality of self-sustainability set in. There are also problems with building anything "heavy" on the piers. When I can get a copy of the new plan, I will post it so you can compare the two.
Posted by klowy at 11:54 PM | Comments (0)
Brooklyn Bridge Park (from 1,000 feet)
Wondering exactly where Brooklyn Bridge Park will be? This is where it will all happen!
The 2000 plan is above. Some things have been taken out, some things have changed and some things are new (like a 30 story apartment building at the foot of Atlantic Avenue).
Posted by klowy at 11:48 PM | Comments (0)
February 14, 2005
Revisiting Brooklyn Bridge Park
(this ViewPoint was written for the Brooklyn Heights Press in August of 2004. It was never submitted for a variety of reasons)
I have been reading with some amusement your articles over the past two weeks on Brooklyn Bridge Park. The amusement is short lived however, because I am a strong advocate for the park, and would like to see it build sooner, rather than later. Several years ago I wrote in this paper that the plan for Brooklyn Bridge Park was outdated and simply would not work. Your editor wrote an editorial the following week mentioning that I was overstating things. But here we are two years later, and what I found so obvious two years ago, turns out to be all to true. But it should come as no surprise to anyone. The original master plan made some sense in a pre September 11 world. But after September 11, many things changed in our city. For starters, building a hotel in a park, something I have always been against, was a questionable idea four years ago. Today it is no longer questionable, it is a mistake and should be taken out. The park has to be self sustaining. The planners should take a fresh look and find things to put in the park that will be supported by the people who live here. A good example is Chelsea Piers. Chelsea Piers survives because it brings in the community and tourists. I am not advocating a Chelsea Piers type structure in Brooklyn Bridge Park, but something that will survive in the long term because the community supports it, and that also attracts tourists.
Previous articles contained information that was somewhat surprising to me. As someone who has attended many of the meetings on Brooklyn Bridge Park, both with the Citizens Advisory Council, and with the Neighborhood Advisory Council, I had been led to believe that Pier 6 was in the master plan under Jim Moogan. It was Wendy Leventer who took it out when she was appointed, but has now put it back in. Furthermore, I had been told that although Jim Moogan had said that the EIS had started earlier in 2004, it was in fact never started. There is definitely something wrong here. I don’t believe we are being told the real story. Let’s move back to Pier 6, which is happily back in the plan. At a recent meeting of the Cobble Hill Association, I asked a member of the EDC about Pier 6. His answer was, and I am paraphrasing, that an apartment complex was not out of the question. Perhaps not for the EDC, but I think it is out of the question for those of us that support a park. Especially in light of the fact that 360 Furman Street has been sold to a developer who intends to turn it into housing. When I mentioned this at the Cobble Hill Association meeting, the EDC gentleman stated that Pier 6 is not 360 Furman Street. No, but it is, literally, a stones’ throw away.
Mr. Holt asks if it’s not time to start over. He asks if perhaps the park is too big and compares it to Central Park, Prospect Park and Bryant Park. But I have to ask a simple question. Just because a block of midtown Manhattan has the name “park” on it, does that in fact make it a park? Bryant Park is not a park in the way that the community views the promise of Brooklyn Bridge Park. Mr. Holt is correct that we need new ideas. In 2003 I saw a plan for the park drawn up by Michael Van Valkenburgh. It looked great and made me wish it was ready now. But clearly there is more work to be done. And I my opinion, we need fresh ideas, and fresh blood. We need people in the Development Corporation who have worked to create parks. With all due respect to Ms. Leventer, her prior experience in Times Square does not necasarily equip her to create a park. Why not hire real park people. People who have done this before and succeeded.
Posted by klowy at 05:42 PM | Comments (0)