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October 22, 2008

An Alternate Plan for Domino Sugar

domino-102208.jpg
Guess not everyone was wowed by the Domino Sugar open house this weekend. One Williamsburg resident, Stephanie Eisenberg, hopes none of the proposed 2,400 condos rise on the site, ever. Sure, as next door neighbor she has a particular stake in preventing such an outcome, but the NY Observer writes that Eisenberg thinks the souring economy means it's the right time for an alternative vision of the space. "As head of Save Domino, a community group, she argues the site could be put to better use, namely as the Domino Center, a sprawling cultural institution modeled after London's contemporary art museum, the Tate Modern." Under her plan, the Domino Center galleries would run 600,000 square feet and the site would include 200 units of affordable housing. She'd find art collectors to lease space for art storage, which would make public galleries, create jobs and tourism and not tax the neighborhood. Only problem: private developers, Katan Group and Community Preservation Corporation Resources, own the site.
Sour on Williamsburg 'Sugar' Condos [NY Observer]
Photo by katecoats.




Posted by lisa at 9:31 AM | Comments (17)
Categories: Development, Williamsburg

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Comments

Wow--if the Domino Center could be anything even half as cool as the Tate Modern I would be so in. Certainly the physical plant itself is similar as is the location. Man I love this idea. The Tate is my favorite contemporary art museum.

Posted by: wasder at October 22, 2008 9:40 AM

I'm sure the Esquire Boot Black building would have made a hell of a cultural center as well.

Posted by: altervoce at October 22, 2008 9:45 AM

SEE this is what im talking about. turn this into something great!!! museum, giant roller disco (shut up), etc. not condos!!!! there's likes more new condos these days than projects, it's gross. i have no problems with new condos being built, but these conversions of great buildings deserve better. the people who put their blood, sweat, and tears working there, they deserve better. rugrat housing is not the answer. this city seriously needs a rejolt of creative and FUN energy.

-rob

Posted by: PitbullNYC at October 22, 2008 10:01 AM

I second the motion for the giant roller disco! I can just picture all the wannabe Mill Basin Millies with the big hair circling the track. But Rob, I would have sworn you're much too young to remember such places.

Posted by: Biff Champion at October 22, 2008 10:33 AM

Hire the French firm that proposed to bury Grand Army Plaza under bridges and Vermont foliage to come up with something magnifique et peculieur Americain.
Actually, I think they would probably come up with a roller disco.
PS: one thing we need less than more condos is another art museum. enough with the art museums.

Posted by: sam at October 22, 2008 10:49 AM

yeah that's the point. i never got to experience a real roller disco :( are there like community board meetings where my voice can be heard on these kinds of issues? oh and lol @ me getting called a "professional troll" in the other thread about cool buildings being transformed into bland condos.

-rob

Posted by: PitbullNYC at October 22, 2008 10:54 AM

hahahaha sam i agree too. art is so blah. and this is coming from someone who actually works in the arts! we need FUN STUFF for people of ALL ages!!! not just the stuffy over 40 crowd and under 5 crowd which it seems like all anything caters to these days

-rob

Posted by: PitbullNYC at October 22, 2008 10:58 AM

i've been conversing with city officials on this
we think whats needed is a swimming pool

Posted by: 11211 at October 22, 2008 11:02 AM

actually i take back my last comment about art museums.. it puts a roof over my head so im not gonna be biting the hand that feeds me.

-rob

Posted by: PitbullNYC at October 22, 2008 11:02 AM

or turning it into a giant bathhouse (non x rated) would be kinda cool too. or x rated but partitioned off from the rest of the public area.

-rob

Posted by: PitbullNYC at October 22, 2008 11:06 AM

where are the condos going to be?
the building itself is a factory with tiny windows, think it would have to be totally changed to work as luxury condos? Or will they build 40 story towers on either side of the factory that are luxury condos.

anyway tate museum sounds better to me

Posted by: 11211 at October 22, 2008 11:11 AM

I know what it can be, a moldering hulk. How about that?
That seems like the most likely outcome, at least for the next twenty years or until it starts to collapse and DOB issues an energency demo order.

Posted by: sam at October 22, 2008 11:47 AM

Gay bar.

Posted by: SnarkSlope at October 22, 2008 11:54 AM

Hounted house for halloween

Posted by: 11211 at October 22, 2008 12:07 PM

I am usually for housing, but I do like the idea of a waterfront converted warehouse museum. It would be a great asset to Williamsburg and Brooklyn in general.

One thing I would mention, you thought Williamsburg was bad now, if they did build a huge museum on the water it would get even worse. Forget about taking the L train.

Posted by: Adam Dahill at October 22, 2008 12:25 PM

a mall!! (i kid i kid) .. sorta. i do miss my jersey mall days. tho i guess working in soho fills the bill enough.

-rob

Posted by: PitbullNYC at October 22, 2008 12:53 PM

silly post. speculative nonsense. it's going to be river front public space, shopping and condos. this woman sounds ridiculous. we already have museums that curate shows that rival the Tate.

also, all you have to do to see art in williamsburg is grab any free art listing and start walking around in and out of galleries. it's not like it's hard to do.

i am looking forward to the day that all the riverfront area is fixed up and open to the public. going to be very nice!

Posted by: wine lover at October 22, 2008 5:12 PM

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