Community Group Slaps Domino With Lawsuit
The Domino development encountered its share of opposition during the (five-year!) planning process, especially in the areas of transportation and the density, but it ultimately got the approval it needed from the city in July to proceed. Now, however, a community group is suing to block the megaproject. As first The Real Deal and then…
The Domino development encountered its share of opposition during the (five-year!) planning process, especially in the areas of transportation and the density, but it ultimately got the approval it needed from the city in July to proceed. Now, however, a community group is suing to block the megaproject. As first The Real Deal and then The Brooklyn Paper reported, the Williamsburg Community Preservation Coalition is arguing that City Council, City Planning, and the developer failed to conduct an adequate environmental review of the site. (Maybe they were inspired by the Atlantic Yards opponents recent victory?) The concerns still concentrate on the development’s size, surrounding transportation, traffic, schools, and publicly accessible open space.
Thank you momo. And Cole lives a block away from the site.
the only reason Stephanie Eisenberg and Co. are against this project in any form is that it will block her building’s view across the river- they do not care about environmental or historical issues!
From what I remember of the final approval, there was a lot of ink about the developer’s promises not being guaranteed. They might “plan to build” the number of affordable housing units they promise, but the agreement they reached with the city gives them (or a future developer) room to get out of it. For its part, the city made a slew of vague promises, including funding for the arts, funding a transportation study, etc. From what I hear, the city is already backing away from those promises.
And yes, CPC may be the largest *funder* of affordable housing, but they have very little experience *building* affordable housing, and even less *building* luxury market-rate housing, parks and infrastructure.
As for industry, there is plenty in the immediate area and up and down the waterfront, and the demand far outstrips the supply. But raising that is nonsensical – no one is saying that this site should remain industrial, only that it should have a density of development that the community’s infrastructure can support.
Well, if I lived in or in the surrounding area of the Domino complex, I’d want publicly accessible open space too. However, I’m not so sure if I’d want to live in such a dense complex to begin with.
‘keeping to the promises that were vaguely agreed to’ completely inaccurate statement… plus developer CPC is the largest funder of affordable housing in recent NYC history…
nonsensical statement
and someone said industrial bklyn, WTF, no industry left in the area, all resi east of there… bakeries maybe one on clymer is awesome by the way…
I agree. These suits should be thrown out and those who bring them should be fined.
WTF does a screenwriter know about architectural and zoning issues???
From the Brooklyn Paper:
“Six plaintiffs, which include Domino opponents Stephanie Eisenberg, a metal working factory owner and real estate developer; and Brandon Cole, a screenwriter, signed onto the lawsuit, which was filed last Wednesday.
In his testimony to the City Planning Commission in April, Cole argued that the developer should consider 50 percent below-market rate units while calling the architectural design of the project “mediocre.â€
“When I look at this proposed development I ask myself two basic architectural questions: does it fit on the land and does it connect to its surroundings,†said Cole. “My answer to both these questions is no, it doesn’t do either one.â€
To Brandon Cole: Who they heck are you any why does should anybody care about your opinion? Is he an architect?
People like Brandon Cole are the reason why this country needs massive litigation reform (And I’m a litigator!!).
People who file frivolous lawsuits should be sanctioned and fined by the court.
What the hell is wrong with people in Brooklyn! Why are Brooklynites anti-everything? Anti-Atlantic Yards, Anti (condos) in Brooklyn Bridge Park, and Domino….What do all of the aforementioned project have in common? The existing footprint in all of those places were an absolute POS….yet and still, people file frivolous lawsuit and moan and complain whenever there is an attempt at progress.
One of the comments on The Real Deal (which broke the story this lawsuit) said “I think it’s time to let Brooklyn fail…why waste valueable city money and resources on Brooklyn, when the people there are anti-everything”.
As much as I love this city….its hard to argue with that sentiment
Okay, I admit to exaggeration. But for almost two decades the vacant former Esquire Boot Black factory at Wythe and South First was the signature eyesore for the area bounded by Grand, Bedford and Broadway.
But really, should someone who fenced off sidewalks so you wouldn’t get hit by pieces of her rotting building be the arbiter of what is and isn’t appropriate development?