169-16th-street-11-2009.JPG
More than three years after the BSA voted against granting a variance to developer Isaac Katan on 15th Street, the smaller building rising on the land in question—which fronts both 15th and 16th streets—is starting to show itself. The development was originally supposed to be the sister building of the Vue but was only allowed to be built to 5 stories. A resident of the block said that he’s concerned about the influx of cars that he believes will descend upon 16th Street when the project’s garage is complete: Between this and the Vue, he says 16th Street is primed to become a “traffic nightmare.”
BSA Gives the Heisman to Katan [Brownstoner]
DOB Backs Community Opposition to 15th Street [Brownstoner] GMAP DOB
BSA Hearing on 182 15th Street [Brownstoner]


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  1. “The smaller building rising on the land in question—which fronts both 15th and 16th streets—is starting to show itself.”

    A point of contention: I live across from this site on 15th and it is actually 2 separate buildings with a gap in between, not one building facing both sides.

    And from what I’ve seen thus far, the facade is not shaping up to be too horrible at least when compared to some of its modern counterparts up the street a few blocks.

    Speaking of new buildings, anyone know anything about when the one under construction on 15th adjacent to Strauss Auto is set to open? The signs says Fall 09 but it looks doubtful they’ll meet that deadline (shocker).

  2. IMBY, good point. So that’s what 20 some odd cars on the streets that were supposed to be “off street” under the building code?

    And I think many of the above posters need to look at the realities of out-of-scale (before and after a rezoning) and it’s impact in South park Slope (and elsewhere).

    16th St, from 8th Ave to 4th Ave, has become a sea of new, over development, that the neighborhood cannot handle. The population on that street alone must have gone up (or could go up further when new units finally get sold/rented) perhaps 400%.

    Even in much smaller scale developments, dumping 8 units on a piece of property that used to house 2 completely changes a block. Add 3-4 more NB’s like that one on a single block and the locals there are EFF’d by the new influx of people, kids, dogs, cars, trash…you name it.

    Ultimately let’s blame City Hall for allowing developers to run rough shod over the Boro. I realize we need new units for a growing population, but not at the expense of existing neighborhood infrastructure and the folks who live there.

    And to those Bo bashers out there. You are correct, he’s crazy…like a fox.

  3. petebklyn,
    You know what – You are probably right about both of your assessments (less population than 40 years ago and your block is nicer).
    But that doesn’t mean that the situation is the same every where.
    First the population issue.
    I agree that the population has decreased in the last 40 years. If so then why is our Mayor pushing the idea that we “need more development”.
    The fact is we don’t need more development.
    People are just being relocated.
    But to increase the population of one block by over 200% (a far cry from the 75% that you have had on your block)with out doing any thing to the infrastructure is a disaster in the making.
    The most glaring deficiency in your statements is the assumption that the developers (along with everything else) are all as good as the ones that you have had to deal with.
    Like I said – I think you (and others) would not be so quick to criticize and would sing a different tune if you didn’t have a “nicer” block and had to deal with what the people on 16 street have had to deal with.

  4. Pete- genius! too lazy to look it up, but believe that overall subway ridership is nowhere now than what it used to be even. everyone forgets that brooklyn emptied out years ago, and have just been witnessing and upper middle class (or whatever) return of residents.

    NYC is full of lots of people and crowded. no sh*t! this is the stupidest rant. did you have no imagination? did you not see the development coming?

    i walk around rarely seeing what’s there, but what will be there and speculating on the change because it’s going to change.

  5. and I don’t have a driveway and I live on a block where plenty of new development which has increased that # of units by (guessing 75%). 2 of the new bldgs have parking.
    And I have not noticed any nightmare but has become a nicer block.

  6. cmu,
    try 60 units PLUS another 45 up the block (the VUE) and another 100 and change down the block (the Regas on 4th) and you have just increased the population by as much as 7 times what it was 5 years ago. All with no increased infrastructure (sewer, gas, electric, sanitation, etc.)needed toaccommodate all these people.
    PS: lets not forget that the parking lot at the VUE has a vacate order for almost 1 year.

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