Hilary Supports Condos in Brooklyn Bridge Park
Earlier this month during a visit to Sunset Park, Sen. Hilary Clinton voiced her concerns about the plans to build 1,200 luxury condos in Brooklyn Bridge Park. “I think it’s a little disingenuous to say, ‘Oh, we’re going to make this self-sustaining by essentially taking parkland, which was given to the city for a specific…
Earlier this month during a visit to Sunset Park, Sen. Hilary Clinton voiced her concerns about the plans to build 1,200 luxury condos in Brooklyn Bridge Park. “I think it’s a little disingenuous to say, ‘Oh, we’re going to make this self-sustaining by essentially taking parkland, which was given to the city for a specific purpose, and turning it into yet another luxury condominium project,” she said. But now, Clinton’s changing her tune. In a letter she wrote a letter to Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corp. President Wendy Leventer this week, Clinton states, “I do not support legal action to oppose the park.” When she expressed concerns about the condos, she apparently wasn’t aware of the “ongoing revenue stream” they would provide to help maintain the park.
“We think she’s been grossly misled by her political cronies and handlers,” said Brooklyn Bridge Park Defense Fund President Judi Francis. Sources say that Borough President Marty Markowitz, Millman and Brooklyn Bridge Conservancy President Marianna Koval spoke to Clinton staffers about her earlier comments.
Hil Backs Park Condo Plan [NY Daily News]
Photograph by Laura Geiser
What is even more evil in this plan is that our politicians are talking about giving some serious tax “incentives” to build on the site. Is this not some of the choiciest real estate in all of Brooklyn? Do we really need to give such incentives and give away OUR land in the process? What folly!
I am sure Bill Di Blasio, our current Councilman got to Hilary Clinton. He is her former campaing manager and has a very cushiony relationship with her. I am sure he fed her the same line that he is giving everyone else: a park needs to be funded with private money in order to sustain itself. Tell that to all the volunteers who donate of their time in city parks.
When will our local politicians here in Brownstone Brooklyn stop catering to deveolpers and start representing the people who live here and voted for them!
And for the next phase of self sustaining Brooklyn parks:
Condos in the Prospect Park Boat house
Lofts in the Grand Army Plaza arch
and hey I think the Lefferts Homestead has some unused FAR, how about a Frank Gerry designed glass condo tower hovering above it?
I dont understand what the big deal is about a few condos (like there aren’t hundreds going up everywhere else) – in exchange for some great park land. Of couse it would be better to have no condos, but if getting rid of them means getting rid of the park, doesnt everyone lose out?
God I loathe Hilary Clinton. I thought she had the potential to be the maverick that she sometimes acted like, but it’s long since been party politics as usual. Hubby Bill may have had to sell out to get re-elected president (hello Defense of Marriage Act), but she’ll sell out whenever necessary to get elected. Disgusting.
Bring those condos on!
Hillary, I now may vote for you!
The more public park space we have the better off we and future generations will be. We do not have to turn over public lands to private developers in order to provide an “ongoing revenue stream” – that is why we pay taxes.
“ongoing revenue stream” – what a load of crap. Public parks should be supported by the public through tax dollars not underwritten by corporations or real estate developers.
Hilary you are making it harder and harder to vote for you. Marty, you too. No More Sell Out!