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August 8, 2007
Yassky and Walentas Square Off over Dock Street
Councilman David Yassky was one of the many people who opposed Two Trees Management's 2004 proposal for its Dock Street site in Dumbo on the grounds that it cramped the Brooklyn Bridge's style. Well, as previously reported, it's 2007 and Two Trees is in the middle of a p.r. campaign trying to sell its kinder, gentler plan for the Dock Street project but Yassky's still not buying. On Sunday, The Times ran a letter from him urging residents not to let the developer's promises to build a much-needed middle school into the mixed-use site sway them. Why? He was already addressing the school issue himself. "I have spoken with the Department of Education, and am forming a task force comprising neighborhood residents and P.S. 8 parents to evaluate the qualities the middle school should have," he wrote. "Based on that evaluation, we will consider available locations and create an appropriate middle school for the area.” In an email forward to the blog DumboNYC, the councilman boiled down his position on the project to a single sentence: "My position was and remains that a building at a location this close to the Brooklyn Bridge should be no taller than 8 stories or 80 feet." Never one to take a little political opposition lying down, Dumbo's largest land owner retaliated yesterday with a flyer it distributed around the neighborhood providing residents with a ready-made petition. "Dear Council Member Yassky," the petition begins. "The families of DUMBO, Vinegar Hill and Brooklyn Heights need a new middle school in our area. Please support te Dock Street DUMBO project that will create environmentally sensitive and affordable housing, additional shopping opportunities and parking in our community."
Two Trees Plans Mixed Use Building Next to Bridge [Brownstoner] GMAP
DumboNYC Guest Post: Dock Street Building Plans [Brownstoner]
Dock Street Dumbo Building Opposed by Yassky [DumboNYC]
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Comments
This is a load of malarkey. 400 apartments will house approx 1000 people very close to jobs in manhattan/downtown brooklyn. Total property and income taxes of residents will be in excess of 5-10MM/yr.
A small piece of a the view of the bridge isn't worth 180+MM. I'd rather have the tax revenue and lower taxes across the city.
Posted by: Anonymous at August 8, 2007 9:56 AM
9:56: Couldn't this argument be made anywhere in the city, for any development? It would follow from this that we should just build unlimited residential towers of unrestricted height because all of the extra tax revenue would be good for the city.
Posted by: Dan at August 8, 2007 10:10 AM
It's so tiring seeing these lame ad and pr campaigns from developers copying the ratner way to scheme and manipulate. Who would this project be good for? No one except two trees.
Posted by: Anonymous at August 8, 2007 10:16 AM
Two Trees is so transparent to the point where it is insulting.If they want to build a school then they should. It does not have to be in a 20 story building. How about a 8 story school building? They'll never do that, because this is not their core concern.
Posted by: DumboDweller at August 8, 2007 10:31 AM
if they care so much about schools why don't they house one in one of their existing buildings?
Posted by: Anonymous at August 8, 2007 10:42 AM
I'm the op. I really want the school, and I don't care how high the building is -- opponents are practicing nimbyism under the guise of historic preservation.
Think of the misery of forcing 1000 people to commute 5-10 minutes extra EVERY DAY -- by restricting development in the core/downtown areas, this is effectively what you are doing.
Also, I'd like to see more rental options in the area -- should temper price increases, which will promote stability in the neighborhood.
Posted by: Anonymous at August 8, 2007 10:55 AM
"Think of the misery of forcing 1000 people to commute 5-10 minutes extra EVERY DAY --" Oh the horror, the horror! People who live in Brooklyn Heights and commute to NY have the shortest commutes of most people in the metro area. Why don't builders just obey the laws like the rest of us citizens and build what they are allowed. Don't be fooled by gifts dangled by developers. Look at the guy on 4'th avenue who was supposed to renovate a playground and didn't do it - after shutting it down and storing his constuctution equipment in it. These developer are all slime. Don't believe a thing they day.
Posted by: Anonymous at August 8, 2007 11:07 AM
We should change the law to eliminate the height cap and allow denser buildings closer to the city center.
Otherwise we turn into paris, where the only affordable housing requires extremely lengthy commutes
Posted by: Anonymous at August 8, 2007 11:14 AM
@1: HAHAHAHA
Lower taxes because they got more revenue?
That's hilarious!!!
seriously, that happens ALL the time.
"we've got too much money, here, take some back!"
HAHAHAHAHA!
Posted by: Anonymous at August 8, 2007 11:42 AM
"We should change the law to eliminate the height cap and allow denser buildings closer to the city center" Why don't you lobby to have it changed on your block. Sure everyone wants to live in high rise hell. We moved here because of the human scale. Soulless glass boxes destroy the quality of life.
Posted by: Anonymous at August 8, 2007 1:12 PM
There does need to be a middle school and two trees are at least talking about that need. I don't support this project, but I'm glad that they've moved the school issue to the front burner.
Posted by: Anonymous at August 8, 2007 3:52 PM
if they move the school to the penthouse floor, i'm there.
Posted by: timmy, age 8 at August 8, 2007 8:37 PM
Let's be real, this is a corporation that isn't non for profit....Hello. How can you expect them to give up the money making capacity of that site and make a middle school? Come now, let's stop being ignorant and view the developer's move in a capitalistic light--We do live in a society governed by capitalism not utopianism if you have trouble remembering.
I support Two Trees and Yassiky needs to stop trying to impede this development. Two trees is being smart and they are offering the immediate relief to a huge problem in our area: a middle school. So let's not just be blind NIMBYS pointing the finger and yelling at developement.
And yes, it is true that this development would benefit the developer a lot, but it will have a positive impact on the neighborhood. Don't be a punk Yassky
Posted by: Alex at August 9, 2007 3:11 PM
Let's talk about what's really at stake here and who among the players needs community support (online and in DUMBO). First the parents at PS 8 are off to a good start turning that school around. Too bad they had to turn their backs on the existing children from Farragut Projects in grades 3 and up to do so. These folks are so savvy and connected to the Farina family tree (and good for them) that they will make a great middle school happen elsewhere and without the 20 stories. Second, the Walentas Family empire won't crumble without this project. I love the fact that they are trading on their foresight and patience in turning DUMBO into an exciting "new" neighborhood. How many development projects and millions are already under their belts? Happy for them. It's the American way and they also don't need our sympathy. Next up are the well-heeled potential residents who may have to add 5-10 minutes to their commute. Discussing their "plight" over that of the real victim in this would be laughable so let's just move on to the real issue. The Brooklyn Bridge. Our landmark. We are all trading on her history, beauty and signifigance. And, I argue that she should not be compromised in a land-grab. There must be exceptions to this development over others. Her stature should be protected and preserved for all. If you think for a second that a private developer will agree to protect her posterity I've got a bridge to sell you. Oh, but wait that's Walentas' line.
Posted by: Anonymous at August 9, 2007 11:09 PM
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