Petition Against South Slope Hotel Expansion
IMBY reports that neighbors have created a petition to “deny the non-contextual expansion of Grand Prospect Hall,” the site on Prospect between 5th and 6th avenues where a developer wants to create an 11-story hotel plus parking additions. A sample of the petition, which can be found here: “The proposed expansion will increase the current…
IMBY reports that neighbors have created a petition to “deny the non-contextual expansion of Grand Prospect Hall,” the site on Prospect between 5th and 6th avenues where a developer wants to create an 11-story hotel plus parking additions. A sample of the petition, which can be found here: “The proposed expansion will increase the current GPH [Grand Prospect Hotel] to a size that is completely out of context with the rest of the neighborhood. In 2005 this neighborhood was re-zoned to R6B zoning which caps building heights at 40 feet at the street wall and 50 feet after a setback. GPH’s proposal, as it stands, will have a building with a height of at least 110 feet, nearly three times the height and five times the bulk allowable by law. In addition, GPH claims that there will be benefits to the community, primarily in the addition of 400 parking spots that will be available some of the time, (when they are not being used by GPH), to the local community. This claim is unsubstantiated, and is not viewed as a benefit by many in the community. We feel that the benefit of occasional parking will be more than outweighed by the downside of having such an enormous structure in a quiet residential neighborhood.”
Restless Natives Petition to Deny the Non-Contextual Expansion of Grand Prospect Hall [IMBY]
Prospect Ave Hotel Opponents Will Not Go Gently [Brownstoner]
Opposition to Prospect Hotel Mounting [Brownstoner] GMAP
Renderings, Details Revealed for Prospect Hotel [Brownstoner]
Photo from Property Shark.
I agree very much with LoneRanger’s pov. Just because the block is “this way” or “that way” does not make it a defacto good place for higher density development in a mainly low rise area. And please don’t bring up the expressway again. We’re talking about the community north of Prospect Ave.
And let’s remember something…GPH has said it is looking for a spot rezoning, not a variance. If that is allowed by City Planning, against community concerns, it sets a precedent for future developments in the rezoned area.
Be careful where you tread, you might step in shit.
“There is only one low rise residence on the entire block”
Maybe so but nothing quite as massive as what is being proposed. Why not just build a 50 story tower on that spot?
Actually there is a good (or bad depending on how you look at it) reason that they have kept this “Under” 130 feet. But that is very scary and currupt story in it’s self.
As for “Representation of thier own interests”
I think not when you consider the fact that the whole community (including the GPH) pressed for the rezoning which is now in place.
Lastly the term “Scum bag”
It seems to me that this a hard learned term. The result of many years of abuse by such people. So I would guess that any use of the words is well deserved and would probably not come from a child.
If the shoe fits!
Well I have confidence in GPH. They always make your dreams come true.
“Just read this blog…”
What’s the point? Was there any doubt the same group against all development would start a petition/drive against this one? It is the same old story. Representation of thier own interests (and very well I might add) and not the interests of the entire neighborhood as they would like everyone to believe. Unfortunately, the majority are indifferent.
I hope the positive long term economic impact of this project overshadows this and moves forward. GPH should rally up the local businesses and counter this petition with one of their own.
Trying to agrue context on Prospect Avenue between 5th and 6th is absurd. There is only one low rise residence on the entire block and it is the church rectory. Better is the argument that the building will cast a shadow. On what? West is facing towards 4th ave. You mean “The View” will lose it’s view of sunrise?
There is valid argument regarding trucking entrances on 16th Street, but’s let face it, even if that was not in play, you would still be against it.
BTW, is the first word out your children’s mouths “SCUMBAG”?
I lived in the same block as the GPH for 5 years, and I have to say I’m not necessarily opposed to the project itself, but for me what it comes down to is the execution. Halkias is renowned for being rather, um, thrifty shall we say. I once went on a tour of GPH where he spent an hour and a half proudly showing off all the places where he had cut corners (“see, I could have put real marble in here but why pay for that when I could get a guy to to paint lines to make it look like marble! Who can tell?”) My concern is that given the choice between doing it right and saving a buck, he’ll go for saving a buck every time.
Denton,
Let me guess:
You voted for and still admire Mr. Bloomberg.
What do you think he would have to say about something like this being built next to him.
Spare us all of the crap about you not caring if this was done right next to you. That’s a bunch of bull carp and you know it.
It’s easy to talk about what you would do “IF”.
Until you walk a mile in the shoes of those you disregard, you should keep your silly remarks to yourself.
Denton, Bear Glass is going nowhere and it’s a M district, same with the mattress factory, though they got a variance from the BSA according to the community board. But the new owner is dong what with the space?
And sowhat’s attitude is correct considering 95% or the developers in the area (and the contractors they hire) have been scumbags. Just read this blog…
I agree with Denton – this is a development which would be useful for the nabe (as someone who lives in the nabe and would love to have a medium grade local hotel that friends and relatives could stay at) and extra parking would be a plus. While I absolutely agree that all quality of life issues should be considered and resolved to the satisfaction of those who live in the area, I dont know if this is a case of all or nothing, and hope that a practical and well considered solution which is agreeable to all affected can be found.
If I read/interpreted it correctly he didn’t equate all developers with scumbags just the ones that seem to have descended on this area.
As for your “interest in the community”:
The only thing that you mention is your investment in YOUR house.
What have you done in the “interest of the community”?