Eugene Reverses Position on Ocean on the Park!

OK Slick. This is from the “statement of significance for Ocean on the Park proposed historic district” written by LPC staff member Marianne Percival:

“The northernmost lots remained undeveloped until around 1915 when Philip
A. Faribault, an architect, purchased part of the property from Reynolds and erected
a Federal Revival-style house at No. 191 Ocean Avenue. The brick house features
an arched entrance with Ionic columns in antis (now partially covered by an awning),
stone lintels and sills and a triple window at the second story with brick and stone
surround and iron balconette.
Circa 1917, the last of the lots were developed by Reynolds who hired Eric O.
Holmgren, a Brooklyn architect, to design two brick houses with a shared driveway
and garage. No. 189, a brick row house in the Arts and Crafts style features a
bracketed cornice surmounted by a clay-tiled hipped roof and brick window
surrounds with stone sills. The other dwelling, a free-standing brick house, at 185
Ocean Avenue was recently demolished.
This row of houses, with their uniform 30-foot setback, reflects an earlier age
of development in Brooklyn and forms a unique enclave within a block densely
occupied by apartment houses”

First of all, many, many thanks to HDC, Brownstoner, Curbed, etc. for helping to tear the covers off a secret that needed some exposure! Then thanks also to the known and countless unknown individuals who voiced your concerns to Matthieu Eugene about how this matter should be handled. Although the member has made it clear that he did not change his position because he felt pressured to do so, I would have to believe that a raised constituent voice is always more effective than silent discontent.

Just be aware, however, that the HDC announcement can only serve to publicize the fact that the Councilmember Eugene has now agreed to reverse his position. Keep in mind that the member personally communicated this change of position to the Ocean on the Park HD petitioners and HDC at a meeting we had 3 weeks ago. He also personally conveyed this change of position to the petitioners last week and again today. (One reason why we did not rush to make this matter public sooner.) However, we have yet to see any actual action taken to change the position at the LPC. (In today’s phone conversation, the councilmember stated that he phoned Commissioner Tierney today and promised to follow up with getting out a letter to the LPC “in a few days.”)

So, while it may be wise to hold fire for the time being, it may also be premature to start uncorking the champagne bottle. At this point, the only official statement of Councilmember Eugene that is currently on the record before the LPC is that he is opposed to landmark protection for all 12 houses. Let’s get that change of testimony in writing! With that done, we’ll be more than happy to encourage all to sincerely thank the councilmember for his documented show of support for this worthy initiative.

Good point Babs. I’ll send my thank you letter as soon as it’s confirmed that Eugene has sent his position change to LPC in writing. Whatever one may think of Eugene, we may well have to work with him for a couple more terms.

What a scoundrel!