Appeals Court Removes Hurdle to Bushwick Inlet Park
An Appeals Court decision from two weeks ago (unearthed this past weekend by the blog Brooklyn 11211) has put to rest fears among Williamsburg residents that a large powerplant could be built in their backyard and cleared the way for the realization of a vision for waterfront parkland in North Brooklyn. After denying an application…
An Appeals Court decision from two weeks ago (unearthed this past weekend by the blog Brooklyn 11211) has put to rest fears among Williamsburg residents that a large powerplant could be built in their backyard and cleared the way for the realization of a vision for waterfront parkland in North Brooklyn. After denying an application by TrandGas Energy to build an above-ground power plant at North 12th Street and Kent Avenue in 2004, the siting board rejected a follow-up proposal in 2008 for a below-ground plant, a decision upheld by the Appellate Court last year. Now, is what sounds like is the final nail in the coffin, the New York State Court of Appeals has refused to hear TGE’s appeal of the appellate ruling. Bottom line: “The City can now move ahead with condemnation proceedings to acquire the property,” writes 11211. “In other words, we are one step closer to a park on the Bushwick Inlet.”
“You’re kidding, right? You’d want your kids playing on top of a power plant?”
I don’t know — is it really that dangerous?
Look, I agree with you, but I’ve read up about the case. Basically the residents are saying don’t do this, we have our own plan to build a park. … which we’ve been working on for 20 years. If Transgas had its way, there’d be a park there already, or within 12 months. Bureaucracy of public/govt v. corporate efficiency.
This decision will leave the area desolate and unusable for years. Not that i take a stance one way or the other…
“Point still remains- what was so wrong about the underground plant with the park on top? That would have benefited everyone.”
You’re kidding, right? You’d want your kids playing on top of a power plant?
joe- you really do make a good point in general. Maybe not so well stated but my own neighborhood is a case in point about poorer neighborhoods getting less pleasant items dumped on them. Such as the Bedford Armory Intake center. Park Slope gets one for women and a great new community center/sports track. We get the intake center, and the possibility of a community center….maybe…if the city feels like it.
Point still remains- what was so wrong about the underground plant with the park on top? That would have benefited everyone.
Yeah, why have jobs and electricity when you can have waterfront views of Manhattan from your roof deck?
Because it’s for the “poorer ethnic community” that will soon be forced out to make room for guess who, you! That’s so super not racist!
Wber – yes, of course! WB isn’t the only area in NYC or in the US that has changed from industrial/commercial to residential. there are massive changes like this is small cities even – see the successful revitalization of several parts of downtown Milwaukee for instance or long beach, CA. and, yes much of the poorer/ethnic community of WB wanted and will benefit from the park. they certainly have put up with the negatives of industrial pollution and environment crimes. think they deserve this.
anyway, should industry be located in one of the most prime residential spots in the world? NYC sometimes appears to have zero city planning. a city like Chicago has spectacular waterfront and waterfront buildings, and we have housing projects and abandoned industrial buildings on our waterfront? it was dumb, it’s being changed for the good.
FtGreeneCorey – i see long term as well. i really like being near the waterfront and being able to walk quickly to the existing park – this was a big selling point for me as was being able to see the water and Manhattan from my roof deck. i too see a grand transformation of the WB waterfront, and i know i will both enjoy it and profit from it when i cash out one day to a warm retirement somewhere.
“Are ethnic whites a race???”
Yes, several races.
“Not having political clout does not mean you are poor”
Ok, then you should really elaborate on your “point” – what makes Williamsburg so different then? Where does political clout come from according to you?
“From “Stuff White People Like”:”
Not sure what this means – are you assuming I’m white (I am, but sounds like you’re assuming)?
as far as nicknames go, I always preferred “stupid bastard”.
How about Joe “stupid Brooklyn bastard”. Sounds kind of ODB…
My main point still remains:
This neighborhood was always an industrial area.
What will happen when we need space for industrial stuff?
For example:
Brooklyn Bridge Park is going on the former site of Pier 1.
Cargo ships are getting larger and larger. The deep water on the Brooklyn waterfront is more suited to these ships than Newark, where most shipping containers are currently unloaded.
So in twenty years will these parks just have to be ripped up?
It’s a park – what’s the problem?