Will Two Trees Proposal for Atlantic Ave. Get Chopped?
A wee tempest is brewing over Two Trees Management’s plans to build a 60-foot, mixed-use structure next to the future home of Trader Joe’s in the Independence Bank building on Atlantic Avenue and Court Street. Zoning in the area allows new construction to rise 50 feet, and Two Trees has applied for a waiver in…
A wee tempest is brewing over Two Trees Management’s plans to build a 60-foot, mixed-use structure next to the future home of Trader Joe’s in the Independence Bank building on Atlantic Avenue and Court Street. Zoning in the area allows new construction to rise 50 feet, and Two Trees has applied for a waiver in order to build 10 feet higher. Last week, however, Borough President Marty Markowitz threw a possible wrench in the Walentas plans by denying Two Trees’ request, claiming it would set a dubious precedent for future Cobble Hill developments. At the same meeting, a rep for Bill deBlasio said the Councilman didn’t think the Two Trees building would set a bad example since all such proposals have to be reviewed by the city on a case-by-case basis. With Marty and Bill pitted against each other, you can bet there’ll be more noise about this one before all’s said and done. Meanwhile, the Two Trees proposal now heads to City Planning for review; a spokesperson for the department told us the Commission would likely hold a hearing on the request in September and vote on it in October.
Brooklyn Borough President Says ‘No’ to Height of New Building [Brooklyn Eagle] GMAP
Cobble/Boerum Hill Rumors: Trader Joe’s & McD’s [Brownstoner]
Cheer up, folks. With any luck, the real estate market will tank so badly, it will simply become unprofitable to build Atlantic Yards.
Ya know, 8:07, I agree with you that Atlantic Yards is a “D-O-N-E-D-E-A-L.” That’s a big part of the problem. But my characterization that “the density is completely off the charts” and nothern Brooklyn will be “turned into one giant parking lot” are based on the environmental impact statement…so that’s not hyperbole. In light of most of the facts, fear seems a reasonable response. Human beings are almost infinitely able to adapt. Brooklyn will continue to be a place where people can and will live. But it will be diminished by the Atlantic Yards project. Real planning, rather than market-driven avarice, could have laid the ground-work for a better, stronger Brooklyn for the 21st century.
“D-O-N-E-D-E-A-L,” sounds an awful lot like, “that’s right bi+ch, take it.” You sound like a misogynist who doesn’t know the difference between sex and rape. How’s that for hyperbole?
Hysteria, hyperbole, fear.
D-O-N-E-D-E-A-L!!!
4:18, there is also no comparison between the two projects. Yeah, Atlantic Yards is at a major transportation hub, but the density is completely off the charts, and Marty is fine with it. Then, at the intersection of a major thorough-fare and a prominent commercial street, the borough president gives the thumbs down on one extra floor. Bizarre.
Besides, why shouldn’t Marty be well liked in Mill Basin, Gravesend, Manhattan Beach and Canarsie? He didn’t facilitate the rape of those neighborhoods. Of course, based on who opposes congestion pricing, it seems that people in those areas drive everyplace. We’ll see how okay they are with Atlantic Yards after they can’t drive through northern Brooklyn because its been turned into one giant parking lot.
Atlantic Yards is near a major transportation hub, including bus, train, and commuter rail lines. It makes sense to build high-density there. There’s no comparison between the two locations.
Marty may have lost some support in the small, gentified area of Brooklyn, but in the remaining 75% of the borough, he is well liked and respected. People are quick to forget that there is life beyond the brownstone belt. Think Mill Basin, Gravesend, Manhattan Beach, Canarsie, etc.
Markowitz believes in the power of forgetfulness. He knows that he lost a lot of support because of his involvement in Atlantic Yards, but he thinks that by talking the preservationist talk he will make people forget about AY.
People certainly are forgetful, but I doubt that they’re that forgetful.
1:20 has a point, comparing Marty’s respective positions on Atlantic Yards and this project. And 1:57 raises an interesting question when comparing this Two Trees’ project with their proposed “Dock Street DUMBO.”
I personnally think it is curious how the beep can join Jed Walentas for a press event celebrating the leasing of the bank space to Trader Joe’s, and then a few weeks later tell Two Trees that the new building is too tall. Jed must be wonderng, “Where’s the love?”
10 feet? This city is ridiculous. I bet Two Trees’ Dumbo building, which should get chopped by 100 feet gets approved, but he can’t get 10 feet here.
Unreal
Marty Markospitz is complaining about this and Atlantic Yards gets a pass. Way to go Marty you are the fat pig that I thought you were