New Domino Clears Council Hurdles
The New Domino on the Williamsburg waterfront was approved by City Council committees yesterday. Some concessions were made: the height of the two tallest building will be reduced to 34 stories from a planned 40, while 30 percent of the 2,200 units will be set aside for affordable housing. Another commercial building, which was planned…
The New Domino on the Williamsburg waterfront was approved by City Council committees yesterday. Some concessions were made: the height of the two tallest building will be reduced to 34 stories from a planned 40, while 30 percent of the 2,200 units will be set aside for affordable housing. Another commercial building, which was planned to be reduced to 25 stories, rose up to 30. And in response to the transportation concerns expressed at a recent public hearing, a shuttle bus service will be initiated after the first phase of development is done. Michael Lappin, the president of Domino’s managing sponsor, said in a statement, “We have worked hard to please all the interested parties, and we hope that this compromise maintains all the benefits promised to the community.” Construction is expected to start in 2011, kicking off a projected ten years of development. (Note: This was updated to reflect the inconsistencies with the New York Time’s article.)
City Council Passes the Sugar [Architect’s Newspaper]
Last Minute Deal to Save Domino Development [Brownstoner]
Details on the Domino Public Hearing [Brownstoner]
Domino Public Hearing Held This Morning [Brownstoner]
City Planning Approves Domino [Brownstoner]
Photo by ty law
I wouldn’t go overboard with “toxic”. It was just a sugar refinery.
Yeah — it’s one thing to bemoan the loss of industry and other non-retail or non-“knowledge economy” enterprises… that’s a legitimate concern for a city as large as NYC. The loss of diversification in business will be an ever-increasing problem.
HOWEVER… to suggest that these toxic parcels of waterfront were anything other than inaccessible filth, when you’re crazy. It’s not like you hung out on the loading docks of the Domino refinery. Or did you?
g man, that’s odd that there is a discrepancy, on the release we received yesterday afternoon, it said “The developer has agreed to reduce the height of the tallest building segments to 34 stories while keeping its promise to provide 660 units of permanently affordable housing.”
Stargazer – I think its worse than that, you get housing for the poor, and housing for the affluent, or those whose parents can make a big downpayment, but nothing for anyone in between. These areas with a high percentage of luxury plus income-restricted affordable housing end up with a bimodal distribution. There is no to little middle. The community boards and others focus excessively on one group, and the income diversity evaporates.
“A community that has already lost so much with the other waterfront projects.
I moved to Greenpoint last year and try not to care about that area each time they tear down a building or a new horrible project sprouts up.
But that building has always seemed really special. I guess not anymore.”
Err – crappy architecture notwithstanding – did you ever actually see the waterfront on the northside before it was developed? I’d take Miami Beach chic anyday over the filth that was there before.
Yeah. This is a big big loss for the community.
A community that has already lost so much with the other waterfront projects.
I moved to Greenpoint last year and try not to care about that area each time they tear down a building or a new horrible project sprouts up.
But that building has always seemed really special. I guess not anymore.
How does a shuttle bus help? Just makes it easier to get people to an already crowded subway…
it’s probably wrong to think this way, but it sorta makes me sad that such beautiful site is going to be turned into housing. there could have been much MUCH better uses for it. yeah yeah i know housing shortage! housing shortage! but these are all going to be out of reach for the average person (good luck snagging a barely affordable unit.. hopefully youre good with greasy palms)
*rob*
so basically 660 apartments are affordable to the average person (barely)while the rest of the apartments are not affordable.
ugh !!