Prospect Hotel Owners Resort to Scare Tactics
As we discussed earlier this week, the owners of the Grand Prospect Hotel in the South Slope have floated plans to build an eleven-story hotel and parking lot on their property on Prospect Avenue between 5th and 6th Avenues. Because the existing zoning limits buildings to six stories in that location, they would need a…
As we discussed earlier this week, the owners of the Grand Prospect Hotel in the South Slope have floated plans to build an eleven-story hotel and parking lot on their property on Prospect Avenue between 5th and 6th Avenues. Because the existing zoning limits buildings to six stories in that location, they would need a variance to put up the new building. In what appears to be a misguided attempt to win the hearts and minds of neighbors in a run-up to tonight’s Community Board 7 meeting at which the plan will be presented, the owners have been distributing fliers around the neighborhood that are rubbing some residents the wrong way. According to today’s Brooklyn Paper, part of the flier says, “If Grand Prospect Hall cannot compete with the ‘Mega Hotel Grand Ballrooms’ for the daily corporate business and the major institutional work…the alternate course would be to cater to a low end clientele with limited budgets, limited options, but with large numbers. A resident quoted thought the flier sounded like a threat “to bring lowlifes here on purpose just to screw with us.” Sounds like tonight’s hearing will be anything but boring.
‘Grand’ Threat? Hotel Plan Includes Not So Subtle Warning [Brooklyn Paper]
Photo by DeeperSea
Or, if they are making a nice profit with their current semi-cheesy operation, why not make do with less bloated plans that would stir less community opposition? Just looked at the Post article, and it seems they’re perking along nicely in the wedding-mill business. Haven’t ever been to an event there; what’s the vibe like?
Why couldn’t someone make a great living by restoring this magnificent landmark to perfection and making it a unique, ultra-high-end banquet hall/venue + restaurant? I saw their grand ballroom years ago, the one used in many movie shoots, and it’s an incredible space. Seems the cheesy folks who own it have been (a) better than a demolition team but (b) a less-than-perfect match, historical-stewardship-wise.
Unlike the condo developments, at least this development will generate a variety of permament jobs for hardworking people who need them in the form of parking attendants, chamber maids, waiters, waitresses, laundry workers, consierge, bell hops, cooks, maintenance staff, management positions, and every other service position one expects from a hotel besides boosting local community merchants. This particular block is an ideal location for this. Your visiting mother in law won’t have to stay with you either. Win/Win.
“The need for profitability will override any consideration of lifestyle, even if it may be undesirable — only profitability and group size will matter.â€
Taliban has already booked the second week of March to celebrate Osama bin Laden’s 54th birthday blast.
My wife’s high school (she’s a teacher) had their prom here. I helped chaperone. I kinda liked it. Very over the top with the pinks and blues and mirrors but very grand almost Baroque. Location is less than desirable but the kids had a blast.
I think they are putting on airs, but….
Back in ’84 (1st year in brooklyn) walking any of the blocks near there was a bit disconcerting. The blocks around Green-Wood were strewn with stripped/torched cars and the like.
Of course…
Maybe I wasn’t yet converted to the grimy is cool aesthetic.
quote:
i thought the reason you guys all get boners about brooklyn is it’s “diversity
lol, im pretty sure they only mean that when referring to various ethnic restaurants.
*rob*
My grandfather grew up around greenwood- and my grandmother would always rib him by saying that when she met him (in the 40s), he lived in a wild west shantytown, so maybe they are on to something.
Just read the BK Paper article. Greenwoodgeneral is right. The flyer sounds hilarious: “we were here before any normal person would populate this socially wild west territory”