CB2 Gives Thumbs Up to Dock Street

Benson - your statement, "It is an effective way to leverage the private sector to save the public some money." is incorrect. There are already under utilized public assets (under built schools and land) in the vicinty of this proposed project. If the School Construction Authority chooses not to develop these under utilized assets and insteads chooses to improve a raw space (the Dock Street) they are further extending the taxpayer. They are NOT, as you say, saving the public money. While the conceptual lease obligation for the DOE is something like $1, the improvements cost is substantial. The DOE/SCA will not be able to capitalize these improvements to the same extent that they would if there where to make similar improvements to schools and the land the taxpayer already owns.

BK RE Vet - "Heights is lowest per unit occupancy part of BK by far . . "? It would be helpful if you provided us with the back up data for that claim and be more specific about school age children component of the occupancy number. Thanks.

Posted by: ITM at January 15, 2009 12:34 PM

Sam - disclaimer: I am not affiliated with PS8 in any way. The grading system used by the DOE relates to the rate of change in performace of a particular grade in a particular school in comparision to other comparable grades at other comparable schools. The comparable set of schools that was used this year was poorly chosen. The grading system is overly complicated and applies disproportinate weight to components that don't get to the educational capabilties of each child. You should really read the entire report and the paper that explains the grading system. I have. I would like to hear if your opinion changes once you have digested all the facts. You usually have some constructive commentary on this site but you are way of base with your claims related to PS8 performance and by association what that particular school should be entitled to.

I am indifferent to Dock Street bulk and use variance issues. I do believe however that the placement of a school there is not in the taxpayers best interest. The school and preservation issues should not be linked in any way. I am also indifferent as to what properties the taxpayer currently own that the DOE/SCA improves.

The point that I am trying to make is that there is significant existing unused taxpayer assests that could be put to use in addressing the middle school issue. It is beyond irresponsible for the DOE/SCA to not properly evaluate the assets and options they have in hand before they allocate funds and make a verbal commitment to take space in a private development, especially a development that is going to leverage the DOEs commitment to get their contentious project approved. The DOE is not acting in the best interest of all taxpayers by committing to this project. It's actions are only benfiting a singe private entity at the expense of the taxpayer. They should not have participated in this project at this level at this time.

Benson - while I do not disagree with the logic behind your idea that flexibility should be the goal and therefore a leased space is in the DOEs best interest. I am not sure the developer would interested in a "come and go" as you please arrangement with any of its tenants, especially one that would be using so much space.

Posted by: ITM at January 15, 2009 2:55 PM

BK RE Vet - the assumptions you have made based upon your observations about the demographic composition of Brooklyn Heights are not quite right. For example, most of the families that live in the Heights disappear on the weekends to their second homes - hence so few people around.

Why do you think the Heights would go nuts if PS8 were improved? Who wouldn't want free and convenient educational options in their neighborhood? There are two other private instituions in the neighborhood already that are 5 times the size of PS8. Why would a public school option not be welcome?

Posted by: ITM at January 15, 2009 3:16 PM

Sam - as I said, I read the report card and the explanation of how the grading works. I have listend to numerous presentations of the reports. Did/have you? My analysis is my own and based on the facts. Your analysis is based on pure speculation. The grade relates to a rate of change calculation where a certain grade improvement is scored relative to a different grade's improvement. Notice I said improvement. For example, a class that scored a D last year and a B this year would get a good grade (~ B) for the improvement. A class that scored a B+ last year and an A- this year would get a poor grade (~ F) for improvment as the rate of change (improvement) is less.

It might be a good idea if you conducted a little more due diligence before making such speculative claims. Do you even know what the underlying assessment scores were for PS8?

Posted by: ITM at January 15, 2009 3:45 PM

Sam - what do you know about my race or socioeconomic standing?

My only objective on this matter and others I may chime in on is to point out that things are not always as they appear and that the back story to almost every event in this dense urban environment is much more complicated and intresting then one might think.

Anyone want to get into disecting all of the players (lawyers, politicians, etc.) in the Dock Street issue? It might not be a surprise to some but the personal agenda's of many of the players (and I am not talking about the developer) override the interests and agenda of the public that they are elected by and apppointed to serve.

Posted by: ITM at January 15, 2009 4:35 PM