Development Watch: Race Against Clock at 163 Wash
The clock is ticking at 163 Washington where the developers are trying to get the foundation for their 17-story as-of-right tower before City Planning approves the Clinton Hill/Fort Greene rezoning at its June 25th meeting. From what we hear, neighbors are standing ready with video cameras in case the developer tries to cut any corners…
The clock is ticking at 163 Washington where the developers are trying to get the foundation for their 17-story as-of-right tower before City Planning approves the Clinton Hill/Fort Greene rezoning at its June 25th meeting. From what we hear, neighbors are standing ready with video cameras in case the developer tries to cut any corners nights and weekends.
163 Washington: The Digging Has Begun [Brownstoner] GMAP P*Shark
Rally at 163 Washington for Shorter Building [Brownstoner] DOB
Tower Plans for Washington Ave Ruffling Feathers [Brownstoner]
well if they are causing cracks and other safety issues. watch them like a hawk. a lot of developers are slime.
there are several major issues here including:
-the safety of the adjacent 150 year old structures and the people who live in them, as seen from the picture, this lot is sand and they previously excavated up to the adjacent buildings’ lot lines. at least one of these buildings has since started shaking from traffic vibration alone. the developer has not provided any formal shoring for these buildings.
-suspect interpretations of building codes in regards to the definition of “roof” and “cover” in calculating open space (these calculations influence how high the structure can be)
-flaws in the plans relating to handicap provisions throughout the building
-a 35 car parking lot on Hall street
-a 2-way driveway to this parking lot accessed by the impossibly narrow Hall street
-6 ft concrete walls fronting the street
-the builder broke an adjacent buildings backyard fence and debris fell into their yard. the owner of this building has kids and now can’t use his backyard due to safety concerns
-cracks in the wall on the top floor of one of the adjacent building’s apartment.
there is more but i’m done
In case it seemed like we were trivializing the matter in our comment of 12:53, there are also serious structural and traffic issues that relate to this particular situation that need to be watched very closely. Perhaps one of the people close to the situation can elaborate…
See ya at the BSA boys & girls. No way this foundation is getting in within the next 2 weeks.
If they try, and they might, neighbors better document everything.
Most likely they are going to sit and wait for the rezoning, then file “hardship” applications to allow them to work under the old zoning.
Ought to be as good a fight as we had in the South Slope and Greenwood Hts.
Waiting to see…
Amen 2:02.
Amen 1:58
that blocks needs development. its too desolate most of the time.
The neighborhood and retail in general, both on Myrtle and other area commercial strips nearby, have been improving gradually and organically, which is probably the best way. Supporting new housing for the sake of new housing seems short sighted to me, especially if you have a long-term bullish view of the neighborhood. If they could fit more units in a shorter building by using the entire land area, why would anyone be opposed to that? I know some of you are trying your best to not be “Brownstone snobs” and opposing anything deemed too tall, but even the most neutral party would understand while standing in front of the site that the planned building is not contextual to the block. Relative to this city, 17 stories isn’t tall, but in this particular block, and within the proposed Wallabout historic district, this building could and should be shorter and better designed while accommodating more housing units.
Anon 1:27: Who said anything about retail *in* the building? Nobody.