4th Avenue Likely to Get Even Taller

I predict that Fourth Avenue will stay at grade.

Posted by: guest at June 17, 2008 10:39 AM

What drives the thinking that a setback somehow makes a tall building any less tall. I happen to like tall buildings (as well as short buildings.) I think the setback rule was to relieve the feeling of having the canyon effect when the whole avenue is built up. But if all the buildings just have the same exact setback, then what's the difference? It still looks bad. Why don't the zoning laws do somethign to encourage a difference in mass and height between adjacent buildings?

Posted by: guest at June 17, 2008 11:02 AM

In the current climate, I think it will be many years before we see a resurgance of frenzied construction activity here. Especially Hi-rise construction.

Posted by: guest at June 17, 2008 11:41 AM

11:41 -you'd think BUT considering construction is just starting at 6th St, 7th St, Douglass St and a couple of other locations - it doesnt look like the current climate is slowing much of the construction down.

Posted by: guest at June 17, 2008 12:01 PM

I must say this does not make me happy. Is this sustainable development? NO! Are we building great communities? NO!

Posted by: guest at June 17, 2008 12:33 PM

12:01, it's the same thing as when a chicken walks aorund after its head is cut off.

Posted by: guest at June 17, 2008 12:38 PM

What's so bad about some 12 story residential towers on 4th avenue?

Are they somehow going to ruin the vibrant and exciting milieu generated by vacant lots, heavy traffic, fast food restaurants, auto repair shops, and sleeping homeless men?

It's not like this is a beautiful tree lined street full of wonderful buildings and a caring community. It's a utility road.

It would be hard for *any* development on 4th avenue to make it worse. Maybe if a tar pit were built that would bring the neighborhood down a little on sultry summer days.

Some nice buildings that included commercial space on the 1st floor would be my personal preference, but I don't think it would work to try to limit construction to 5 stories.

What developer would want to invest in that type of construction in that neighborhood in this market?

Posted by: guest at June 17, 2008 1:13 PM

Keep on building. Crest and Novo both had price chops to try to clear out the unsold inventory, so bring it on.

As noted above, pretty much anything is an improvement to 4th Ave.

Posted by: guest at June 17, 2008 1:19 PM

12:33 - please cite some recent development that WOULD make you happy.

Posted by: guest at June 17, 2008 1:23 PM

I'd rather run myself over with a lawn mower than live in that cesspool. Good luck to the developers. Let's check back in 50 years because I think it will take that long for the transformation.

Posted by: guest at June 17, 2008 1:30 PM

1:23 - there has been some great progress in modular home design and construction in Japan and the Netherlands with stunning looks, efficient layouts and maximized space planning. They've been used as infill and in sustainable communities. That makes me happy. Unfortunately nothing in NYC is making me happy.

Posted by: guest at June 17, 2008 1:46 PM

Enough with the negativity. It will definitely take some time to transform this area but we need to start somewhere - otherwise this area will still be a wasteland 50 years from now. I also think the density level is appropriate and sustainable considering the subway and transit connections in the area. We need to provide for future growth in NYC - especially if rising gas prices trigger a population movement into cities from suburbs.

Posted by: guest at June 17, 2008 1:56 PM

STOP THE MADNESS:

http://www.developdontdestroy.org/php/latestnews_ArchiveDate.php

Posted by: guest at June 17, 2008 2:09 PM

12:33, what's unsustainable here? I'd like to see more infrastructure planning, but Jeez Louise, a little perspective--I'm delighted this means more people living a sustainable life in a walkable city rather than burning up resources in the burbs.

Posted by: guest at June 17, 2008 2:38 PM

2:38 - the fabric of the American urban/suburban landscape has serious issues. We took the wrong path as a nation at the dawn of the automobile age. Our attitudes and our relationship with nature/the built environment need a major overhaul. We need a new paradigm and the 4th development du joir is not the answer. I'm so very saddened by what our society has become.

Posted by: guest at June 17, 2008 3:29 PM

3:29 what are you talking about - 4th Ave is not suburban and to lump those two density styles together is moronic. 4th Ave was layed out well before the nation took any path in the automobile age.

In reality the upzoning of a wide throughofare with mass transit underneath (and potential for more on surface as well as below) is EXACTLY the path this country should be on if it wants to deal with global warming, habitat destruction and sustainable societies.

There are 300M people in this country - and given the retirement benefits promised we are going to need alot more - the only sustainable way to develop is with density -

Posted by: guest at June 17, 2008 5:20 PM