Grand Prospect Hall Plans: Still Controversial!
The Times has an update on the controversial plan to build an 11-story hotel/parking garage next to Grand Prospect Hall, the venue on Prospect Avenue between 5th and 6th avenues, that explores both neighborhood opposition to the idea and owner Michael Halkias’ reasoning for why it’s vital for his livelihood. The opposition view is clear-cut:…
The Times has an update on the controversial plan to build an 11-story hotel/parking garage next to Grand Prospect Hall, the venue on Prospect Avenue between 5th and 6th avenues, that explores both neighborhood opposition to the idea and owner Michael Halkias’ reasoning for why it’s vital for his livelihood. The opposition view is clear-cut: The build, which would need a variance to go forward, would run contrary to the neighborhood’s hard-won 2005 rezoning, which caps construction heights at five stories. Meanwhile, Michael Halkias, the hall’s owner, is saying the development is necessary in order for him remain competitive amidst the construction of other hotels in Brooklyn that may at some point be built. Halkias says that if he can’t get the spot rezoning he’s going to have to turn the hall into “a factory” of “ethnic concerts” that would crowd the streets with cars; he says this isn’t simply a threat but a realistic plan for making the space profitable. This is the part of the article that really stands out, though: “Mr. Halkias contends that the neighborhood is already full of buildings as tall as what he plans, so it ‘would not be out of character.’ A small irony in the conflict is that Mr. Halkias helped foster the rezoning by letting residents use his hall for a discussion. He said he knew then that he wanted to build a hotel but was assured by a local official—he would not give a name—that a way would be found to make an exception for him from the rezoning.” Six years later, maybe not so much?
Catering Hall’s Plan for a Hotel Upsets the Neighbors [NY Times]
Developer Responds to Criticisms About Grand Prospect Hall Hotel Plan [Brownstoner]
Petition Against South Slope Hotel Expansion [Brownstoner]
Prospect Ave Hotel Opponents Will Not Go Gently [Brownstoner]
Opposition to Prospect Hotel Mounting [Brownstoner] GMAP
Renderings, Details Revealed for Prospect Hotel [Brownstoner]
I don’t understand why this should even be considered. Why does he deserve a variance from the zoning? I understand it would be beneficial for his bottom line, but there are lots of illegal things that would be beneficial for my bottom line, I don’t expect a variance from the law.
This is not about NIMBYism. Consider:
– What will be the impact of such a building? What will it do to the natural light of the small houses on 16th Street? What will it do about noise of a huge 24/7 HVAC system? What about sewage? Garbage? Vermin? The answer is, it would *directly* harm some people, and directly benefit others (Halkias). We have things for those situations: contracts. He can contract with locals to make them whole and get their support, and everyone would be happy. Seeking a variance is very specifically an attempt to avoid that natural process.
– A variance could be justified, if there is some overarching public good that would result. But, so far her hasn’t identified any such thing. In its absence, this will just be a boondoggle: corrupted public officials using tax resources and governmental power to line the pockets of a private actor. That’s not okay, whether you like the plans or not, or whether you want a hotel there or not.
– Beyond all that, the guys is clearly just a jerk. As to his threats, some advice from a seasoned poker player: he’s bluffing. I say call the bluff.
Regardless of all that is said and/or done, the bigger issue (and one that is destroying this city) is the whole distortion of “Spot rezonings” and Variances by this administration. These allowances are there for emergencies and other crucial and community beneficial reasons, NOT for the greed of the wealthy and well connected. As they are now (almost exclusively) used.
Those that grant these (Spot Rezonings and Variances) should be appointed by the public with a firm commitment to only granting them (the Variances or Spot Rezonings) for only the most crucial NEEDS of trhe community. As these thing are intended. The people that make these decision (City Planning, BSA, & City Council) have sold themselves and this City to the highest bidder and in doing so have forsaken the needs of the various communities of this City.
End of story.
@bxgrl…u r pathetic…get alive. Got to feed the hundred cats u live with. peace out.
diablorojo- seems to me there were plenty of toher people who are not Hasidic involved in this but you seem to have picked out them for some arcane reason. why? they weren’t even mentioned until you mentioned them. As for telling me not to reply- what’s the matter? Afraid of being questioned or having to explain?
@ bxgrl. I don’t care if the religious org. is hasidic, catholic,slamic, blue or water…U r the one making it into something is not….not to mention that u weren’t at the meeting when the rabbi took over the podium and “bless” this project since they don’t have a place right now to gather on Sabbath. GOT IT….sick and tired of people making controversy for not reason…please, don’t reply on this…u r at a lost.
BTW…I know Halkias is VERY GREEK…but he is just looking to make a buck!
At least the story is getting closer to the truth, that Halkias wants to make more money, and further away from the nonsense that it’s a benefit to the community. He’s so arrogant and self-centered that he expects his neighbors to give up their quality of life and have their property values decreased so he can do what he wants. Mr Halkias, If you can’t run a profitable catering hall, what makes you think you can run a profitable hotel? Instead of spending millions building a hotel, why don’t you just hire some professionals to help turn around the business you already have? Step one – hire a reputable ad agency.
I’d also like to know who’s this local official giving assurances that would negatively impact the quality of my life.
This is about parking? I thought it was about business from the Atlantic center.
The reason that residents of these neighborhoods petitioned for re-zoning in 2005 is to stop buildings like the one Mr. Halkias has proposed from being built. There is no reason a hotel cannot be built on the proposed site. It just needs to conform to the area’s zoning laws. Spot re-zoning is for hospitals, fire houses, schools and other things that provide a community benefit. It is not for the private profit of individuals.
Additionally, I love ethnic concerts.
bxgrl said:
How about we NOT MAKE THIS THREAD into something it’s not?
It is not “Something it’s not” to state the truth and the obvious.
There are no Hasidics that live in the immediate neighborhood and yet it was a Rabbi who GPH brought out to make the claim that the community “Needs the hotel and parking” to accomodate thier (The Rabbi’s) functions.
Nothing anti-anything infered – Just calling a spade a spade.