Marty Supports Dock Street...But Has a Few Suggestions
Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, who came out against a proposal for a residential building on Dock Street in Dumbo back in 2004, yesterday voiced his support for a modified version of the plan from the same developer, Two Trees. (His entire statement is reproduced on the jump.) Marty did offer some ideas, however, to…
Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, who came out against a proposal for a residential building on Dock Street in Dumbo back in 2004, yesterday voiced his support for a modified version of the plan from the same developer, Two Trees. (His entire statement is reproduced on the jump.) Marty did offer some ideas, however, to address concerns of project opponents that the redesign still cramps the Brooklyn Bridge’s style: The Beep suggested that the tower be made narrower and taller (25 stories instead of 18) and moved 70 feet further from Front Street. Two Trees’ Jed Walentas expressed his pleasure at the endorsement and promised to study the suggestions. Then again, Markowitz’s suggestions are just that—suggestions. He has no power to derail the ULURP process.
Support (and Suggestions) for Dock Street Dumbo [NY Times]
Markowitz Recommends Reducing DUMBO Dock Street Project [Brooklyn Eagle]
The Times Catches Up on Dock Street [Brownstoner]
CB2 Gives Thumbs Up to Dock Street [Brownstoner]
CB2 To Vote Tonight on Dock Street [Brownstoner] GMAP
Dock Street Moves Forward — Second Vote on Saturday [Brooklyn Paper]
Full House, No Vote at Dock Street Hearing [Brownstoner]
How Does Dock Street Stack Up? [Brownstoner]
The Next Step for Dock Street [Brownstoner]
DOE: It’s Time to Examine Dock Street [Brownstoner]
Two Trees Plans Mixed Use Building Next to Bridge [Brownstoner]
Dock Street Plans (Marina and All) Go 3D [Brownstoner]
Dock Street Protesters: 20% There on Signatures [Brownstoner]
Statement from Borough President Marty Markowitz:
I made my recommendations regarding the applications submitted by Two Trees Management Company for the Dock Street DUMBO project.
After listening to more than 100 Brooklynites over the course of four-and-a-half hours at our public hearing, as well as taking into account all letters, emails, and other communications both pro and con, I believe I have heard the community loud and clear. I share community concerns that the iconic views of the Brooklyn Bridge, and the open feeling created by what is described, in a term coined by community members, as the ‘bowl,’ the geographic dip and current size of the manmade structures surrounding the bridge’s Brooklyn anchorage, must be protected.
I also agree with the developer that residential development and parking would be appropriate usage. The developer also presented its plan, and my staff spent weeks conducting digital modeling and simulation and personally visiting the site to calculate views and spatial considerations.
As you may know, the developer would be able, under current zoning, to build a very tall hotel on this site ‘as of right.’ After reviewing the applications and public testimony on the project, I am recommending that the City Planning Commission and the City Council support the concept of residential, retail and parking at this site as proposed by Two Trees Management — however, I reject the building as currently configured and seek modifications based on certain conditions.
My recommendations reduce the project by more than 35,000 square feet. In order to respect the iconic Brooklyn Bridge by not allowing a ‘rival’ structure to rise too close to it, preserve public views and geographic open ‘bowl’ effect, and ensure a continued smooth transition from Fulton Ferry Landing to DUMBO, I advocate that:
—The tower be made more slender, reducing it to 57 percent of its proposed girth — this will preserve public views. The developer would have the option, according to what is allowed by zoning, to recoup some loss of square footage by increasing the thinner tower from18 to 25 stories.
— The tower be set back 70 feet from Front Street —increasing the distance from the Brooklyn Bridge from 98 feet to 150 feet.
— The building’s wing along Water Street be reduced by two floors (which is consistent with my 2004 recommendation that the buildings along Water Street not be higher than 80 feet) and that the section along Front Street be lowered to 85 feet.
I have also recommended that a legal mechanism be put in place to lock in the 20 percent affordable housing units the developer has promised.
Regarding the developer’s pledge to include a middle school at the site, this was not part of the official application before my office. I certainly applaud their willingness to build a school, and I have recommended that the Department of Education consult with Community Education Council 13, Community Board 2, and local elected officials to analyze the current capacity levels of surrounding elementary and middle schools in order to ascertain which grade configuration will best serve the needs of the community two years prior to the projected occupancy of school space within the Dock Street project, as well as investigate other available spaces for the location of a school. I believe my recommendation provides a balanced and respectful solution for all of these concerns, and I urge Two Trees Management to accept my modifications.
Marty endorsed the project as long as it becomes a different project. It must be great to be a politican with absolutely no real role in anything. You can be as ridiculously pandering as your imagination carries you.
You may ask: How can you be for a project and agaisnt it AT THE SAME TIME? Marty has it figured out. He is a master of the cosynchronous flip flop. Part of it is to pretend you’re too “normal” to really understand all the zoning details and blame it on your staff who “eat and sleep the stuff”.
Bottom line, that building is so a done deal.
nothing worse than having one’s style cramped. especially if youre a bridge.
*r*