Not surprisingly, a major backlash to St. Joseph’s College’s proposal to plunk down a gymnasium on Clinton Avenue is building, reports The Brooklyn Paper. After all, the location—smack dab amidst several free-standing mansion built by the Pratt family in the late 19th century—is about as historic as they come anywhere in New York City. That is the premier block of the entire community, said Society for Clinton Hill member Sharon Barnes. A stark box does not seem to be the best choice. While the Catholic college says it needs the basketball facility to attract students, it so far has not been receptive to alternative ideas like moving the location to the large parking lot the school owns a block away on Vanderbilt Avenue. Mind-bogglingly, Community Board 2′s land use committee gave its unanimous consent for the project back in January. It seems unlikely that the Landmarks Preservation Commission will be such an easy sell. At the very least, the school should release the plans for the public to see so that public discussion can occur in a transparent manner.
Neighbors say St. Joe’s B-Ball Arena Is Ugly [Brooklyn Paper]
St. Joseph’s Planning Gymnasium for Clinton Avenue [Brownstoner]