Mixed Agendas at Anti-Scarano Rally on Smith Street
We’d guesstimate that about 60 people spent their lunch hour yesterday listening to Councilman Bill de Blasio rail against the proposed design by Robert Scarano for the plaza and adjoining lot at Smith and 2nd Place in Carroll Gardens and call for the revocation of Mr. Scarano’s license to practice architecture. In his prepared remarks,…
We’d guesstimate that about 60 people spent their lunch hour yesterday listening to Councilman Bill de Blasio rail against the proposed design by Robert Scarano for the plaza and adjoining lot at Smith and 2nd Place in Carroll Gardens and call for the revocation of Mr. Scarano’s license to practice architecture. In his prepared remarks, de Blasio likened having Scarano do a project in the neighborhood to letting “the fox in the chicken coop.” “Scarano’s not welcome in our community,” he said more than once. Of course, the irony of de Blasio shaking his fist over an eight-story building being built in Carroll Gardens when he has not had any problem with a number of much taller buildings being built in nearby Fort Greene and Prospect Heights was not lost on some of the anti-Atlantic Yards protesters who showed up. In a piece of comedic theatre, two sign-holders from the de Blasio camp were kept on their toes trying to make sure that their anti-Scarano posters blocked the those of the Atlantic Yards protesters from the view of cameras. (Lots of reporters were on hand.) When the conference was over, we heard some locals saying they couldn’t give a hoot who the architect was as long as the building ended up being smaller scale. (“An enemy of my enemy is my friend.”) Based on an email that has made the rounds and was reported on Gowanus Lounge yesterday, the developer has already agreed to make the facade better integrated with neighboring buildings and has agreed to switch to a brick facade; last we heard, though, he wasn’t willing to give on the height of the building, which at its highest point is planned to reach 70 feet. Update: Neighborhood blog First and Court is reporting that DOB rejected the most recent set of plans yesterday.
Scarano Pushback on Smith [Brownstoner]
New Developments in the Battle of 360 Smith [Gowanus Lounge]
Jason…
Snort!
I love the “accidentally approved.” Were they “accidentally submitted” as well?
Keeps getting better. Anyone know where Scarano can buy a shovel?
Ok, lets say Scarano is not Synonymous with Bad contractors and developers…put that aside…what about:
-360 Smith Street, Brooklyn: Proposed plans denied on four separate occasions. New plans will be submitted soon.
-333 Carroll Street, Brooklyn: Thankfully DOB caught the use of mezzanines and limited the height of the building before construction began.
-Bowery Tower, 4 East 3rd St. Manhattan: Filed to be a dormitory building. Questions regarding the plans (architect does the plans…right) caused the developer to sell the building and a new architect was hired. It is now a hotel.
-Finger Building, 144 North 8th Street: Designed for 16 stories (architect does the designs…right) and required that the developer purchase air rights. The project was stopped at 10 stories after residence clamed he never purchased air rights.
-441 Grand St./Keap St, Brooklyn: On May 2007 neighbors were given a copy of the DOB-approved plans. They observe that such plans were “approved†pursuant to the DOB’s Professional Certification Program on 3/29/2007. But Robert Scarano surrendered his “professional certification†privileges last year. They have been told that the structural plans were “accidentally†approved as professionally certified by Robert Scrarano.ß—-derrrrrr
how many employees in Scarano’s office do you suppose are dedicated full time to responding to attacks on the web? or is it just a single, highly dedicated acolyte?
The so called plaza out front of the Carroll Street subway is junk – completely trashed out.
8 stories is fine for that corner, especially considering it’s over a subway entrance.
Seems to be recurring issue here of mixing up builder and architect.
All sorts of slander against the builder and not one mention of who the owner (developer) is or who the contractor even is.
I would think their reputation/history is more pertinent to issue of safety of workers or the next door neighbors concern over any damage to his/her house.
Also, any indication of what DofB problems are with current plan?
I wouldn’t jump to any assumptions just because they have been rejected.
To be fair the architect is not responsible for any worker related injuries during construction unless the design inheritly caused the unsafe condition (say an improperly designed stairway). As for the structural stability of neighboring properties it is the responsibility of the engineer of record to sign off (a TR-1) on this. It is also the responsibility of the GC or CM to oversee the safety during means and methods (construction). All that being said I have no problem protesting Scarano or Gehry or any other architect who aligns themselves with ruthless developers. And Abraham, please don’t think that those who are against Scarano are merely historicists who like nothing other then brownstones. Some of my favorite buildings in Brooklyn are the Adjaye Fiberglass House on Vanderbilt and that Wooden house on Pacific and Hoyt (by Bergan St. Studios). Neither look “old” but each fits into their repsective neighborhood in creative ways.
subparchitect, vulgarchitect . . .
To 2:52
It’s hard to criticize what you don’t understand. I am not a developer and have no interest either way. If Scarano designs a building “as of right” then it’s “as of right”. If you have issues with the height and bulk take it up with city planning not the architect, who is doing what he is suppose to do, design buildings. I doubt that you and other commentators know a single thing about zoning and the building code.
By the way, Scarano is an architect not the builder.
To be fair the architect is not responsible for any worker related injuries during construction unless the design inheritly caused the unsafe condition. As for the structural stability of neighboring properties it is the responsibility of the engineer of record to sign off (a TR-1) on this. It is also the responsibility of the GC or CM to oversee the safety during means and methods. All that being I have no problem protesting Scarano or Gehry or any other architect who aligns themselves with ruthless developers. And Abraham, please don’t think that those who are against Scarano are merely historicists who like nothing other brownstones. Some of my favorite buildings in Brooklyn are the Adjaye Fiberglass House on Vanderbilt and that Wooden house on Pacific and Hoyt. Neither look “old” but each fits into their repsective neighborhood in creative ways.