Watchtower Props As Alternative to Park Condos
The idea of converting some of the Watchtower properties in Brooklyn Heights into luxury housing and using the tax revenues to support the upkeep of Brooklyn Bridge Park instead of building condos in the park itself is not new (it’s been floating around for a few months), but there was a “closed-door session” at Borough…
The idea of converting some of the Watchtower properties in Brooklyn Heights into luxury housing and using the tax revenues to support the upkeep of Brooklyn Bridge Park instead of building condos in the park itself is not new (it’s been floating around for a few months), but there was a “closed-door session” at Borough Hall yesterday, according to The Post, where the idea got airtime with local pols and influencers. “There’s a growing sentiment that the Jehovah’s Witnesses buildings are the magic bullet to keep more housing out of the park,” said Paul Nelson, Assemblywoman Joan Millman’s chief of staff and a member of the city board overseeing the park’s development. One activist has specifically proposed that the city buy the buildings, convert them into luxury condos and use the tax revenue for park maintenance. Think that could work?
High-rise Foes Seek ‘Witness’ Protection [NY Post]
Can Jehovah’s Witnesses Save BBP From Condos? [Curbed]
Photo by Sergio
Its really funny that the savior of luxury housing in the Park, is luxury housing near by.
The idea of using luxury housing in the Park was to allow the park to get needed revenue from land that was not going to be otherwise developed. The Watchtower building is similar as its land that was not in the tax rolls coming on to the tax rolls.
I don’t have a major objection to the change except one. It means that almost all the development comes at the North end of the park and “the fair share” that included the development at the south end…ends. North gets the Hotel and other development and the south just gets the already built 360 Furman. The only thing the park doesn’t get from the watchtower builds would be the ground lease for the use of the Park’s land that it would have occupied under the old plan. BTW on 421a. you can only get it in downtown Brooklyn(for new or rehabs) if there is at least 20% affordable housing. This is relatively new… you used to be able to get it for anything but that law changed about 4 years ago.
Since no one has money to buy the Watchtower buildings the increased taxes are all that will be gotten. No governmental entity needs to buy them. To get the tax revenue into the Park all the city needs to do is to allow the tax revenue to be dedicated(although it will need a change in State law to allow this-something that should not be that difficult if the Mayor agrees- a big if BTW)…
“Brooklyn Heights activist Tony Manheim – who is leading this charge — said the city should buy the Witnesses buildings, convert them into luxury condos and then put tax revenues from the sales toward the park’s anticipated $16.1 million annual maintenance costs.”
This Post quote makes no sense.
Minard, I agree the widlife has jumped in already enthusiastically. We saw Monarchs, cormorants on the pilings and a bird which if we were in Europe I would say was a Goldcrest. My American ornithological knowledge is limited.
“My sources tell me the proposal as made (the doors may have been closed but the windows were wide open) was for the city to take the Watchtower buildings by eminent domain.”
g-man, you pulling our legs here? What’s the public purpose? Funding of the park? That’s quite a stretch!
“Why should people who buy a luxury condo get to pay taxes that go exclusively to a park that benefits their appreciation, not to mention their perceived quality of life? Their tax dollars should pay for cops and fire etc just like yours and mine.”
Who said property taxes were fair? Ask the condo owners that pay far more than those in much larger brownstones. At least the park will be open for all.
great idea, if/when they sell it iconic building for them too
ringo, that is where the hotel is going, the towers are going on the other end near Atlantic.
The park is a work of art. the water gardens are amazing. Last Sunday I saw a critter, I think it was a muskrat, hanging out by the edge of the pond. Nearby monarch butterflies and dragonflies were flitting around the flowers of the native plants.
I thought the new towers were going where the demo is still happening, near pier 1/fulton ferry landing
Putting aside for the moment that Dumbo is a dump and you’d have to be an utter ignoramus to buy there (especially now), I agree with Petebklyn (2nd comment). Why should people who buy a luxury condo get to pay taxes that go exclusively to a park that benefits their appreciation, not to mention their perceived quality of life? Their tax dollars should pay for cops and fire etc just like yours and mine. NYC would do better to retroactively cancel all tax abatements for any and all developments in and around Dumbo. The purpose of the abatements was to incent interest in what was formerly a blighted area. Well, looks like it worked. Incentive is no longer needed. Now it’s just a handout to people who can find approval for a $1 million mortgage. Taxes in Dumbo ought to be no different than Brooklyn Heights or Park Slope, yet people in Dumbo who own a 3,000 sq. ft. loft are paying $3,000 annually. Does that make sense to anyone?