As we reported three weeks ago, preservationists are setting their sites on the Domino Sugar Factory just as Isaac Katan is gearing up to squeeze as much FAR as possible out of the plot of land that the iconic structure sits on. Katan, who is one of the most reviled developers in the borough by people who care about little things like aesthetics and safety, has obviously been learning from Bruce Ratner’ success at hiding under the rubric of Affordable Housing. To wit, his attempt to define the debate on those terms: We certainly support preservation, said a Katan spokesman. But he added, Our priority is affordable housing, and we want to achieve a balanced plan. What a load of baloney! Yassky, who opposed the landmarking of 184 Kent last year (wonder how that decision ended up playing out at the polls?), is onboard to save Domino. It’s a landmark in the popular sense of the word. When I talk to people in Queens or Manhattan about that part of my district, I say it’s right by the Domino Sugar factory, and they know where that is. Hey, if the populist angle will help save the building, go for it, Dave.
In Williamsburg, a Face-Off Over the Future [NY Times]
Photo by Sherilyn