The Finger Might Get the Thumbs Up
A note just landed in our inbox that the fight against Scarano’s “finger” building, the 16-story, 220-foot skyscraper (seems to be stalled out at 10 stories and 100 feet right now) at 144 North 8th in Williamsburg, is getting the thumb’s up, despite vehement neighborhood opposition. It seems the air rights have been secured, thanks…
A note just landed in our inbox that the fight against Scarano’s “finger” building, the 16-story, 220-foot skyscraper (seems to be stalled out at 10 stories and 100 feet right now) at 144 North 8th in Williamsburg, is getting the thumb’s up, despite vehement neighborhood opposition. It seems the air rights have been secured, thanks to the purchasing of an adjoining lot; both properties are now under the auspices of HSBC bank. Since the permit was issued for the property, zoning has changed, now capping development at 50-feet. “This loss will set a dangerous precedent to undermine downzonings all over the city,” they write. Opponents now have 30 days to decide if they want to pursue further action, in the form of an article 78, a lawsuit that challenges government actions. The building has been mired in trouble since developers illegally knocked down a one-story warehouse in the building’s footprint in 2005, and it’s made opponents grumpy ever since, who later charged that the building didn’t fit with the rezoning nor did it have proper air rights to reach so high. All is not quite lost, though. There’s a protest — er, we mean meeting — at the Board of Standards and Appeals tomorrow at 10AM: 40 Rector St., 6th Floor: Hearing Room E.
BSA Gives Williamsburg the Finger [Brownstoner]
Burg’s Finger Fight Goes On and On and On [Curbed]
well, i think this building should just get built already regardless. it’s been a big fat eye-sore for way too long.
however, have to agree with dittoburg about that immediate area. it has most red brick victorian era townhouses much like cobble hill. not all are owned by old timers btw. friends just bought a townhouse on N.9th in fact.
BSA = corrupt
“Considering this neighborhood was non-residential a decade ago”.
Thats a joke right? this is the “highland” area – it has plenty of streets with houses that are 100 years plus. It still has plenty of old timers, tho less and less as they die off and their progeny move away to less expensive areas. two 50 year old white-tiled Polish butchers closed last year within half a block of this building On bedrod between N7 and N8). They weren’t open for 50 years selling to nobody. This isn’t the “lowland” area which is purely industrial, or rather post-industrial.
Having said that, the old-timers seemingly couldn’t care less about the height of this building. When I lived in the hood the campaign was by middle-aged and younger people.
z: Well, in all fairness, the first skyscraper (the Home Insurance Building) in Chicago was 180 feet height.
I think it’s more ridiculous the building height in the area is 50 feet. That is only 5 stories, comfortably. It’s the same height as a typical walk-up tenement from 150 years ago.
Considering this neighborhood was non-residential a decade ago, there are no concerns regarding old timers or anything. People moved to this area from the beginning knowing it would be a neighborhood in the making. Higher density development should have been allowed.
a 16-story “skyscraper”? the sky must indeed be falling.
Let me guess – Community Board 1 thinks this is great.