We’d guesstimate that about 60 people spent their lunch hour yesterday listening to Councilman Bill de Blasio rail against the proposed design by Robert Scarano for the plaza and adjoining lot at Smith and 2nd Place in Carroll Gardens and call for the revocation of Mr. Scarano’s license to practice architecture. In his prepared remarks, de Blasio likened having Scarano do a project in the neighborhood to letting “the fox in the chicken coop.” “Scarano’s not welcome in our community,” he said more than once. Of course, the irony of de Blasio shaking his fist over an eight-story building being built in Carroll Gardens when he has not had any problem with a number of much taller buildings being built in nearby Fort Greene and Prospect Heights was not lost on some of the anti-Atlantic Yards protesters who showed up. In a piece of comedic theatre, two sign-holders from the de Blasio camp were kept on their toes trying to make sure that their anti-Scarano posters blocked the those of the Atlantic Yards protesters from the view of cameras. (Lots of reporters were on hand.) When the conference was over, we heard some locals saying they couldn’t give a hoot who the architect was as long as the building ended up being smaller scale. (“An enemy of my enemy is my friend.”) Based on an email that has made the rounds and was reported on Gowanus Lounge yesterday, the developer has already agreed to make the facade better integrated with neighboring buildings and has agreed to switch to a brick facade; last we heard, though, he wasn’t willing to give on the height of the building, which at its highest point is planned to reach 70 feet. Update: Neighborhood blog First and Court is reporting that DOB rejected the most recent set of plans yesterday.
Scarano Pushback on Smith [Brownstoner]
New Developments in the Battle of 360 Smith [Gowanus Lounge]