CB2 Opposing Proposed Development on Atlantic & 3rd

Hank's is skank.

Posted by: guest at June 4, 2008 9:50 AM

CB2 didn't say no to building on the Hank's site. It said no to R&E's request for an exception to the rules to construct a LARGER building than is currently allowed. R&E -- any developer -- is allowed to construct a building that meets current zoning regulations. If R&E overpaid for the site because it planned to build bigger than allowed, tough noogies.

Posted by: guest at June 4, 2008 10:00 AM

What a disgrace.....sometimes I think we are doomed.

Its Atlantic Ave (6 lanes!), 2 blocks from one of the largest transportation hubs in the country and the CB is against a SIX STORY building! (lets ignore that it would be replacing a total eyesore)

Posted by: guest at June 4, 2008 10:06 AM

Interesting that the developer is seeking a variance to construct a building that is substantially larger than allowed under the zoning while (see photo) also advertising the site as for sale. Does R+E plan to flip the property with the variance in place, or is this just a search for the proverbial bigger fool?

Posted by: guest at June 4, 2008 10:15 AM

If RE did the Green house on Nevins then I trust they'll build a beautiful product on 3rd & Atlantic. With all those colorful buildings across the street between 4th & 3rd, this neighborhood is clearly getting better. Property values will continue to increase at a nice clip (5-7% per year) in Boerum hill as there is very little supply

Posted by: guest at June 4, 2008 10:32 AM

They didn't buy it planning to get a variance for a larger building. The architect at hearing said they had done several "iterations" of the design,and had originally planned a smaller, 4 story building and that "skyrocketing construction costs" had put the 4 story presumabley as of right building out of the picture and that's when they started working on a bigger building that could actually be built.

Posted by: guest at June 4, 2008 10:51 AM

Regarding the RE development on Nevins, that place has been under construction for two years and is not close to being done. While I liked the idea of the green house when I first heard of it, it's hard to say whether the end product will be good or not. Regardless, I would not like to see construction on the corner of Third + Atlantic take anywhere near as long as the Nevins St. project.

Posted by: guest at June 4, 2008 10:53 AM

I don't work in the industry, so I cannot test this theory, but if what 10:51 is saying is true, then a request to double the allowable size of the building should mean that construction costs have doubled in the past three years, right?

Posted by: guest at June 4, 2008 11:00 AM

I think it would be a good idea to populate this rather barren corner. That lot is tiny, and it is no wonder that they are seeking a variance - which is absolutely their right. It seeems that they are not looking for a variance from the Atlantic Avenue zoning, so we can expect to see a beautiful and contextual building, like the Muehlenberg, for instance.

Posted by: guest at June 4, 2008 11:01 AM

Well if the developer of this building has the cash and the gumption it's an easy deal. Just hire Sheldon Lobel to represent him in front of the Board of Standards and Appeals and he can't lose. Sheldon Lobel basically owns the BSA, especially Susan M. Hinkson who was appointed to the BSA by Sheldon Lobel. With that kind of representation at the bogus hearings the BSA holds, this project will easily be green stamped regardless of any opposition by CB2 or any residents of NYC. With this kind of corruption at your disposal everything is a done deal.

Posted by: guest at June 4, 2008 11:10 AM

Will any new building be named "Hank House"?

Posted by: guest at June 4, 2008 11:15 AM

It took me a few minutes of reading to realize that 'CB2' wasn't refering to Crate & Barrel's cooler little brother of a store. A CB2 store on the Atlantic/3rd site is a good idea...if the CB2 will allow it!

Posted by: guest at June 4, 2008 11:43 AM

I have fond memories of getting drunk enough to get lost on giant steps in Hank's.Them were the days-And all for only $7!

Posted by: guest at June 4, 2008 12:00 PM

I love the bit about offering Hank's a space in the new building. I bet Hank's could never afford whatever the rent would be, and more to the point, I bet whoever's paying what will no doubt be hefty rent or condo prices on the new building won't be too psyched to have a bar downstairs. Especially something as dive-y (but awesome!) as Hank's. Sounds like some window-dressing to me.

Posted by: guest at June 4, 2008 12:34 PM

yeah, i think we should close down/replace every "total eyesore" bar in brooklyn. only wine bars man. or you know, trendy cutesy stuff like that

Posted by: guest at June 4, 2008 12:57 PM

Love Hank's. So do lots of others. It could be an institution. I'm glad that they want to keep it there. The mildest most scrappy little bar is better than a corner bank. There is no better way to kill a streetcorner than putting a bank there. My hat is off to the owners for wanting to keep it there, even if they do make it more upscale.

Posted by: guest at June 4, 2008 2:59 PM

Good for CB2! Someone has to keep a lid on this growing pressure.

From my perspective, this is the whole slippery slope deal. They want to build DOUBLE what is permitted -- from 6,600 sq ft to more than 14,000 sq ft (never mind that the DoRay building will abut and block the lot line windows on the site to the south on Third Avenue -- those unfortunate owners...) and the overriding concern is that granting this permission will open a flood of similar 'me too' requests. And if the BSA is as spineless as is rumored here, that bodes much ill. Spot zoning is spot zoning and Not A Good Thing, no matter how you slice it.

Plus, I cannot imagine the residents/owners of the nice new building embracing Hanks. Can any of you? Really? Sorry, but that stinks of Make Nice Red Herring. Really, really long-dead not-so-nice Red Herring.

To the larger point, think of the same thing happening on the north side of Atlantic and the effect bigger and taller has on the residential tenants and owners on State Street.

Posted by: guest at June 10, 2008 1:38 PM