Prepping for Something Big at City Tech

Last we heard on City Tech Tower, a joint venture between the school and the developer Forest City Ratner had collapsed and the size of the proposed building had been scaled back considerably. (At one point it was rumored to be as tall as 100 stories but a year ago the word was more like 10 stories.) In recent months, there's been all sorts of behind-the-scenes rejiggering of various lots in and around where the building would rise and just last week a new building amendment was approved by DOB that finalizes the subdivision of Block 1, Tax Lot 1 into two separate tax lots 1 and 25; the new building would be located on Tax Lot 25. Adding to the sense of momentum, the school is now performing soil tests on both the Jay Street and Johnson Street sides of the site. Such soil tests typically precede the start of construction. Can anyone tell us how big the tower is going to be? Perhaps it's even discernible from the DOB filings but we can't figure it out. Update: A reader points to this permit showing a 20-story building that "appears to be a dorm with some accessory offices and lounges" but also points out that soil tests are usually done before filing with DOB so permits a new application is in the works instead. Another Update: A Brooklyn Eagle article from two weeks ago reports that it will be a 350,000-square-foot academic building of eight or nine stories.
Soaring City Tech Tower Cut Down to Size [Brownstoner]
Development Watch: City Tech Tower, Take 2 [Brownstoner]

Trackback Pings

TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.brownstoner.com/mte/mt-tb.cgi/9521

Comments

I've heard the upper floors are going to be for the school, the middle floors are going to be a medium-security prison, lower floors are going to be luxury condos, and street level will be retail, including a nice bakery, and a performing arts center specializing in absurdist theater from the '50s.

That's what I've heard.

Posted by: tybur6 at April 29, 2009 10:09 AM

How big though?

Posted by: brownstoner at April 29, 2009 10:11 AM

wow, tyburg- can't wait. Is it true they are also putting in a day care center and a Pre-K on the same floor as the prison but with a totally separate entrance?

Posted by: bxgrl at April 29, 2009 10:12 AM

You forgot the green roof with the penthouse methadone clinic.

Posted by: SnarkSlope at April 29, 2009 10:14 AM

Of course, separate entrances. The architects aren't idiots!! They're also designing the prison section so after the economy improves and crime goes down, they can be converted into more luxury units.

Posted by: tybur6 at April 29, 2009 10:17 AM

It will be a 20 story building, 195 ft tall according to DOB records. http://a810-bisweb.nyc.gov/bisweb/JB2ScheduleAServlet?requestid=10&passjobnumber=301037090&passdocnumber=11&allbin=3000244

It appears to be a dorm with some accessory offices and lounges.

Posted by: architect66 at April 29, 2009 10:23 AM

a dorm? just another name for a hot sheet motel.

Posted by: Petebklyn at April 29, 2009 10:30 AM

Architect66 -- thanks for ruining our dreams of a glorious mixed-used building. :-(

Posted by: tybur6 at April 29, 2009 10:34 AM

I want Mr. B to block him- there's goes my fantasy day :b

Wait- maybe they can still have the prison and the pre-k in the basement with a separate entrance for the methadone clinic?

Posted by: bxgrl at April 29, 2009 10:37 AM

Well - I could be confused about the building location. Block and lot don't exactly match, but following the link given by Mr. B to the DOB, etc, shows that there is a recent New Building application on the lot...and it says...well anyway.

Soil borings are usually done prior to filing with the DOB, since a soil analysis is required for approval, so there could still be something cooking

So keep the dream alive.

Posted by: architect66 at April 29, 2009 10:42 AM

If it has been split into two tax lots, that suggests there will be two buildings, not just one.

Posted by: zinka at April 29, 2009 10:48 AM

YAY!! Consider the dream alive! Dorms, chemistry classes, macaroni paintings, detox and the occasional shiv fashioned out of a spoon... ALL UNDER THE SAME ROOF!

It could be the early stages of a future Shangri-La... right in our midst!

(I was going to mention sodomy too, but the dorms will have plenty of that without mandatory incarceration.)

Posted by: tybur6 at April 29, 2009 10:53 AM

Hey- you left out the backyard garden with room for veggies and special plants.

Posted by: bxgrl at April 29, 2009 11:10 AM

« Case Shiller Index: Negative Numbers Across the Board Brooklyn Bridge Park Movie Schedule Announced »

April 29, 2009

Prepping for Something Big at City Tech

Trackback Pings

Comments

Post a comment

Latest Restaurant Additions