Public Advocate and Possible Mayoral Hopeful Letitia James Joins Fight Against Pier 6 Housing
Public Advocate and potential mayoral hopeful Letitia James has joined the fight against Mayor de Blasio’s plan to add affordable housing in two towers on Pier 6. The controversial plan is currently going through an official public review process to alter the park’s General Project Plan to allow affordable housing in the park. If the…
Public Advocate and potential mayoral hopeful Letitia James has joined the fight against Mayor de Blasio’s plan to add affordable housing in two towers on Pier 6. The controversial plan is currently going through an official public review process to alter the park’s General Project Plan to allow affordable housing in the park.
If the plan is approved, partner developers RAL Development Services and Oliver’s Realty Group would construct a 29-story and a 14-story tower on the Pier 6 section of Brooklyn Bridge Park. Of the 339 units slated to be built, 117 would be below market rate, bringing the Mayor that much closer to his affordable housing goals.
Local communities and elected officials, including 17 civic groups and now James, oppose all housing on Pier 6, for a variety of reasons, including that it’s unnecessary, they claim.
“There is no need for immediate development,” reads a letter signed by James and the civic groups sent to state agency the Empire State Development Corp. on Monday, the Post reported. The park does not need the added funding from the towers as it already has a $47,000,000 surplus which is expected to be sufficient until at least 2029, according to the letter — although the park disputes that.
But even if the proposal does not pass, the towers will still be built “as of right” — just without affordable housing.
Letter to the Empire State Development Corporation Board [BHA]
Possible De Blasio Challenger Joins Fight Against Pier 6 Housing [Post]
Local Groups Blast Housing Project Planned at Brooklyn Bridge Park [NY Daily News]
Public Comment on Plans for Pier 6 Ends Today [Brownstoner]
Pier 6 Coverage [Brownstoner]
Rendering by ODA Architecture
Wish I worked for a developer. Then maybe I could afford to live near the park (incidentally – you don’t have a profile either). I work in DUMBO and enjoy the park everyday and I’m just sick of hearing Brooklyn Heights residents act as though they are entitled to a spectacular park right on their doorstep with absolutely no strings attached. That’s such a naive point of view it’s offensive. With all the other parks in the city in such desperate need of better upkeep, renovations, expansion, etc., it’s ridiculous to suggest that the city should also foot the bill to keep this park in such pristine shape. And that is what would happen if the park is not properly funded. Additionally, Heights residents complain about the “urban feel” of the park and in particular the basketball courts (I’ve even read comments on blogs from people suggesting the courts get replaced by an ice skating rink…I mean, you can’t make this stuff up?!). I hope I don’t need to explain what all this is code for. And now you don’t want affordable housing near your luxury condos. It’s sickening and naive and offensive and everything that is wrong about people who live in a city but don’t want to be a part of the city. It’s disgusting.
Wish I worked for a developer. Then maybe I could afford to live near the park (incidentally – you don’t have a profile either). I work in DUMBO and enjoy the park everyday and I’m just sick of hearing Brooklyn Heights residents act as though they are entitled to a spectacular park right on their doorstep with absolutely no strings attached. That’s such a naive point of view it’s offensive. With all the other parks in the city in such desperate need of better upkeep, renovations, expansion, etc., it’s ridiculous to suggest that the city should also foot the bill to keep this park in such pristine shape. And that is what would happen if the park is not properly funded. Additionally, Heights residents complain about the “urban feel” of the park and in particular the basketball courts (I’ve even read comments on blogs from people suggesting the courts get replaced by an ice skating rink…I mean, you can’t make this stuff up?!). I hope I don’t need to explain what all this is code for. And now you don’t want affordable housing near your luxury condos. It’s sickening and naive and offensive and everything that is wrong about people who live in a city but don’t want to be a part of the city. It’s disgusting.
You and “Tish” can dress it up however you want. It doesn’t change the simple fact that the housing is either being built with affordable housing or without. You want it without. How you justify to yourself new development that doesn’t include affordable housing given the current housing crisis in this city is your business but don’t try to confuse the rest of the public with your factually incorrect statements and self-serving goals.
You and “Tish” can dress it up however you want. It doesn’t change the simple fact that the housing is either being built with affordable housing or without. You want it without. How you justify to yourself new development that doesn’t include affordable housing given the current housing crisis in this city is your business but don’t try to confuse the rest of the public with your factually incorrect statements and self-serving goals.
It’s amazing how misinformed the opponents of Pier 6 continue to be – not to mention how successful they’ve been at painting this debate as one of parkland v. housing. The statement “no housing may be built at all” is factually incorrect. Make no mistake: the housing is going to be built. To quote the mayor’s office: “What’s at issue here is whether we have affordable housing for families in need at Pier 6, or whether there’s nothing but luxury housing.” The well-to-do opponents, almost all of whom most likely live in One Brooklyn Bridge, just don’t want affordable housing next to their luxury housing (or anything obstructing their views).
It’s amazing how misinformed the opponents of Pier 6 continue to be – not to mention how successful they’ve been at painting this debate as one of parkland v. housing. The statement “no housing may be built at all” is factually incorrect. Make no mistake: the housing is going to be built. To quote the mayor’s office: “What’s at issue here is whether we have affordable housing for families in need at Pier 6, or whether there’s nothing but luxury housing.” The well-to-do opponents, almost all of whom most likely live in One Brooklyn Bridge, just don’t want affordable housing next to their luxury housing (or anything obstructing their views).
Again, you can oppose the buildings all you want. They are going to be built. All that is being considered now is whether affordable housing will be included.
Again, you can oppose the buildings all you want. They are going to be built. All that is being considered now is whether affordable housing will be included.
Read: if there’s to be any new housing near me, I only want rich people as neighbors.