Glassy PLG Tower Bad News for Birds, Says Expert
Scores of migrating birds would smash into the glassy 23-story tower planned in Prospect-Lefferts Gardens, on Lincoln Road and Flatbush Avenues, creating a mess on the crowded sidewalks below, said Prospect Park Audubon Center senior naturalist Gabriel Willow. He said adjacent Prospect Park, at 585 acres, is a popular resting place for birds along the…
Scores of migrating birds would smash into the glassy 23-story tower planned in Prospect-Lefferts Gardens, on Lincoln Road and Flatbush Avenues, creating a mess on the crowded sidewalks below, said Prospect Park Audubon Center senior naturalist Gabriel Willow. He said adjacent Prospect Park, at 585 acres, is a popular resting place for birds along the Atlantic Flyway, and added that glass towers in Manhattan near smaller, less popular parks have been the death of hundreds of birds a year. “You’ll just find the ground littered with birds,” he said. Tom Gilman of Gilman Architects didn’t respond when asked if his design took migrating birds into consideration (the flock was added to the rendering). Meanwhile, developer Henry Herbst said he’s been busy polling the community about their preference for the ground floor retail compenent—so far, they’re leaning toward a bank and organic market, even though the short block already has two non-organic markets. Herbst said, “They claim there’s no organic foods in the area,” which is basically true. Cage-free hens, anyone?
Wings Meet Deadly Glass [NY Times]
Form Follows Feathers: Bird-Friendly Architecture [Architectural Record]
Lefferts Gardens Gets a Few New Arrivals [Brooklyn Daily Eagle]
11:18 thanks. maybe the mutlicolor curtains that will pepper that skyscrapper will help the birds.
I have little inclination to live in PLG, but this handsome (based on a rendering) building (at my price point, which ain’t OPP) might convince me.
I actually like the balcony, the openness and the amazing views. Can’t wait!
i don’t get why this is ugly… really – looks fabulous. i wouldn’t live in that neighborhood for anything, but the building looks killer.
I don’t care about the birds, but I do care about this butt fugly structure being erected in my nabe, and within eyeshot of Prospect Park no less. Jesus Christ. You can build anything in Brooklyn, no matter how ugly and depressing it is.
11:03: When glass is clear, birds see only what’s on the other side; when it is reflective, birds see only reflected sky and trees. The AIA has studied it, and the Empire State Building has made changes so birds stop running into the building. Who would want to live in a condo that has bird guts on its windows, and who would want to live near one that always had bird bodies on the ground? This building is next to a very busy subway station, so the bodies will get trampled. The size of the tower is fine but they should look at other buildings and change the design.
Blame Canada!
What is the origin of this entry? Is this original reporting including the interview of Gabriel Willow? Impressive. But I can’t help but get the feeling that on a slow news day in a slow news week it is always good to put in an article on PLG in the hopes of sparking some bilious entries.
Scientific facts: Some birds have been known to hit trees and rock formations near seas and mountains. Some just drop from the skies of heart attack.