Meeting on Toll Proposal: Agitate, Educate, Organize
South Brooklynites have a whole lot of questions about the 577 units of housing Toll Brothers wants to develop alongside the Gowanus Canal. And, if the overflow crowd that filled the community room in St. Mary’s Star of the Sea Residences last night was any indication, there’s a great deal of fear in the community…
South Brooklynites have a whole lot of questions about the 577 units of housing Toll Brothers wants to develop alongside the Gowanus Canal. And, if the overflow crowd that filled the community room in St. Mary’s Star of the Sea Residences last night was any indication, there’s a great deal of fear in the community that those questions won’t be answered before the city gives Toll the go-ahead to build their project. Among the concerns raised: That the development’s impact on already overcrowded schools and subway lines will be disastrous; that the compromised sewage system near the canal will be made even worse; that mom-and-pop business will be displaced; that the project shouldn’t be approved ahead of the wider rezoning Planning is brewing for the area; that the Environmental Impact Study will be a compilation of half-truths; and that the site’s toxic land might not be adequately cleaned up.
Representatives from the Toll Brothers were in attendance, and some of their comments were revelatory. To start, Toll VP David Von Spreckelsen told the crowd that the firm does not own the parcels in question (between the Gowanus Canal, Bond Street, Carroll Street and Second Street) outright—they’re in contract for them—and that they wouldn’t close on the purchases unless the city approves the rezoning. Von Spreckelsen also said that Toll would adequately clean up the property: We wouldn’t be able to sell one condo at this site unless we properly remediated it.
The gathering, which was organized by Friends of Bond Street, was ostensibly held in order to educate residents about City Planning’s public scoping hearing about the project next week, and speakers included CB6 District Manager Craig Hammerman (above left) and Queens City Councilman Tony Avella (right). While there was a great deal of talk about how residents can make their voices heard at the scoping meeting next week, there was also a lot of commentary from Avella in particular (the Council’s zoning/land-use chair and a mayoral candidate) about how the city stacks the deck in favor of developers at the expense of residents’ concerns. Development projects will always be put on the front burner, said Avella. It has nothing to do with a project’s merit. It has to do with the mayor thinking that’s what the city needs. The real estate industry controls the agenda in this city. There was also some chit-chat about a politician who wasn’t present at the meeting. Where is our councilman, asked one person. His name is De Blasio. Where is he?
More coverage of the meeting at Pardon Me For Asking and Found in Brooklyn.
Toll Brothers’ Gargantuan Gowanus Plans Revealed [Brownstoner]
A Look at What Toll Bros. Wants to Redevelop [Brownstoner]
12:26 – You are complaining about lines 4 people deep? Go to the Rite Aide on Smith and President where the lines can be 20 people deep.
At least LA has nice weather and Gelsens. It’s the people that suck and one of the main reasons I stay in Brooklyn. I grew up in NB/CdM so I know what I am talking about. Isn’t LA getting a subway system?
Get yourself a Thomas (sp) road map and use the side streets instead of the freeway.
Yeah, there are some anti-everything types. But this particular development should be watched and the community should be kept informed because we are dealing with serious issues, not the least of which is the toxic clean-up. If a developer can really clean up this site, I personally believe that development is a positive overall. That said, it is not unreasonable to look at what the impact will be on sewers, transportation, schools, etc.
If there weren’t a need for housing then they wouldn’t build it. Duh.
Look how long Gowanus went without anybody wanting to build a luxury condo there. It’s not some random decision.
NYC is not as bad as Los Angeles. They will let anybody build anything anywhere. It’s insane. The quality of life there has hugely diminished over the last 10 years. It’s hard to believe the gridlock could have become worse but it did. The place is packed with people. You go nowhere and buy nothing without encountering a slow moving line of people 4 or more deep. I saw some recent stat that said L.A. is now more densely populated than NYC. I believe it. Parts of Brooklyn are downright rural compared to L.A.
I really hope this project happens – damn these community activists and their resistence to everything. Of course it’s important to clean up toxic waste – but do you really think Toll bros could market apts that have th rumor of toxicity floating around them??? It would be GREAT for PS 32 – tipping point tipped over to middle class families, but still a great diversity of kids from all backgrounds.
Guy picks up Girl, Girl gets drunk, Guy f’s girl, Guy doesnt pull out – 9mo later everyone (except maybe guy and possibly girl) has to deal with pollution, congestion, consumption, transportation and NEED FOR HOUSING for the resulting offspring.
People need places to live – it isnt the developers “fault” – even though (probably b/c he is rich) you want to blame him.
And don’t lie – you always post the same silliness – it isnt just b/c of ‘this morning.’
Actually, that’s not true Johnny.
Developer buys plot. Developer buildings housing. If it is rental housing, the developer pays 18% to 22% of his gross income as property tax which supports the infrastructure and city services. The apartments are filled with tenants who pay city income tax for the school system. The tenants are sub-metered for utility usage and pay those costs directly. Pollution, I don’t know what you mean. If the site is contaminated, the developer must mitigate. Otherwise, developers of multifamily housing in NYC actually reduce pollution on a national basis. The carbon footprint of a NYC apartment dweller is a fraction of what is typical in the US.
Yeah, the F train sucks. I’m sorry you have to take it. The subway system will never get better until 1) the city has more money and 2) the huge underclass becomes a smaller proportion of the population so voters can shift city funds to more productive uses like maintaining and expanding the transportation infrastructure.
Supporting developments like this is the only way your precious F train will ever get overhauled. There is not enough money or political will currently.
Developer buys plot. Developer crams as many units as he can get away with on plot. Everyone else except the developer deals with pollution, congestion, rising utility rates, even more cars and even worse conditions on the subway and even more #$%ing people crammed into the F train, on those rare occasions when the $%#$ing thing shows up.
One of those mornings 😉
This post sounds as if it were cut and pasted from an anti-AY thread. The armageddon-like comments and hysteria are the same.
If the development DOES NOT happen, this is a prime 3-acre site for the next Atlantic Mall – has anyone called Target to let them know about this property? The zoning M1-1 allows retail. Then say goodby to Mom and Pop!