Full House, No Vote at Dock Street Hearing
A full house of almost 300 people showed up for last night’s public hearing on Two Trees’ proposed Dock Street development, a 323-unit complex with a 20% affordable housing component and public middle school. Hosted by Community Board 2, the event drew plenty of supporters and critics of the project, most of whom, it turned…
A full house of almost 300 people showed up for last night’s public hearing on Two Trees’ proposed Dock Street development, a 323-unit complex with a 20% affordable housing component and public middle school. Hosted by Community Board 2, the event drew plenty of supporters and critics of the project, most of whom, it turned out, wanted to put their thoughts on record. As a result, the public comment period, which kicked of with a speech by Jed Walentas (thesis: we listened to your criticisms from 2004 and redesigned a project that we think is good for the neighborhood) stretched from the 6 p.m. kick-off time until the meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m. As a result, the two CB2 committees that were supposed to vote last night—Land Use and Youth Cultural Affairs—did not have time to do so. They plan to reconvene in the upcoming days; after that, the board has to make a final recommendation. Did any readers attend? We’d love to hear your version of events.
How Does Dock Street Stack Up? [Brownstoner] GMAP
The Next Step for Dock Street [Brownstoner]
DOE: It’s Time to Examine Dock Street [Brownstoner]
Two Trees Plans Mixed Use Building Next to Bridge [Brownstoner]
Dock Street Plans (Marina and All) Go 3D [Brownstoner]
Dock Street Protesters: 20% There on Signatures [Brownstoner]
I was at the mtg. for 4 hours. It was not equally divided. There was clearly more in opposition than against. And the opposition was not just condo owners with view implications. There were all kinds of people concerned about the quality of life in this area. The opposition’s arguments were solely about the school and affordable housing, yet people don’t understand the complexities of having a public school housed in a private development. Opposition thinks it’s somehow a free school accessible to everyone and that it will be built no matter what in a few years. It’s just a shell and will cost $41MM to outfit. There’s no guarantees it will ever get built or built as being presented. There are so many unknowns yet people are quick to say yes because it’s an easy choice. Do your work and ask questions about this supposed school and project if your really care. Otherwise, a huge, out of context building will be built and remain forever. BTW, clintonhill person, there are no building this close to the bridge. Open your eyes.
Thing to understand before you make any decision, a multistory hotel taller than this proposed building can be built as of right on this large site. So his is probably the best building we will ever get and preferable to a large hotel. Two Trees can’t say this as would be taken as a threat. Not sure if the opponents realize this.
nice model. build this.
“Can someone also explain to me about the “jobs” this will bring to Brooklyn?”
well apart from the (many) construction jobs at a time when construction will be winding down, there would be the building jobs like doormen, concierge, porters, handyman, garage attendants, plus the retail jobs in the new stores, and the childcare and housekeeping jobs that 700 new residents will require. There will also be new professional teaching positions and school administration jobs as well as custodial jobs for the new middle school.
Can someone also explain to me about the “jobs” this will bring to Brooklyn? as someone mentioned last night 10-15 jobs is not worth sacrificing the neighborhood and the bridge.
Also, to reiterate: if the building was smaller wouldn’t we just have 8-12 jobs instead. That seems acceptable to me.
I was there for all 4 hours and I also spoke (in opposition). My issue is that most supporters are in favor because of the school. My question to them is why do we need 18 stories of above the school. I am confident Two Trees could still earn a nice return on a 9 or 10 story project, and everyone would be happy.
Yassky makes the most appropriate point very well, you have to consider the project seperate from the school. Otherwise it is jsut a non-monteary bribe used to futher a project that would otherwise be shot down.
I’m sure Yassky has already reached a deal with Walentas that a story or two will be lopped off the top of the proposal and then he will claim vistory. Actually, if that is the case he would be right to claim victory. If the process makes the building a wee bit smaller, maybe its all good.
Typical of Yassky (and other ambitious politicos) to side with the outspoken groups. See it all the time (the Brooklyn House of Detention another issue).
Where these groups purport to speak for the community, they speak mainly for the narrow opinions of a few and rarely consider the wider opinions of others.
Unfortunately they have Yassky’s ear. Joann Simon is one of these mouthy ones who now wants to run for councilperson.
does anyone know when the feud between walentas and the BHA originated? It is kind of funny because the BHA opposed the initial change of use waivers for the big (formerly empty) industrial buildings in DUMBO and now, half the condo owners in DUMBO are Brooklyn Heights refugees. Why did the BHA oppose the residential re-use of the Gair factories and the clocktower building. Seems so silly in retrospect.