 |
| |
 |
SAY "NO" TO DOCK STREET, DUMBO We need your help to stop the building of Dock Street DUMBO, an 18 story private development just 92 feet from the Brooklyn Bridge Last hearing for the DUMBO rezoningThe New York City Council, Sub-committee on Zoning and Franchises will hold a public hearing on the DUMBO rezoning. We urge you to ATTEND, TESTIFY and bring 10 copies of your 3-minute testimony. Monday, July 27, 2009 | |||||||
| Please help keep up the pressure by letting the CPC commissioners know how you feel about this project. Send a message to the Chair, Amanda Burden. |
Great Week for the Brooklyn Bridge!
There have been three exciting developments this week concerning our fight to prevent the construction of an 18-story development known as Dock Street--just 70 feet from the Brooklyn Bridge in an immediate area where there are currently one-, two- and four-story buildings.
This past Monday, March 30th, at a public review session at the Department of City Planning, DCP Chairwoman Amanda Burden stated that the decision on Dock Street is "the most difficult in her career." She expressed concerns about shadows and lack of contextual and proportionate size and bulk of the proposal. Several Commissioners expressed their concerns but stopped short of making any recommendations until the official City Planning Commission vote on April 22, 2009. To read the whole article.
On Wednesday, April 1, 2009, renowned historian, lecturer and two time Pulitzer prize winning author David McCullough held a press conference in DUMBO to express his shock, outrage and opposition to the Dock Street proposal. Mr. McCullough was quite dismayed that such a project would even be considered. He has offered DNA his full support and expects to be an instrumental figure in the fight to halt the Dock St. project and said he is prepared to “fight to win.” “This may seem like a minor matter, but trust me, it’s not,” Mr. McCullough said. “To build an 18-story tower beside that bridge would be an absolute desecration.” In attendance, were over 60 local residents and several elected officials including Councilman Tony Avella, Chair of the Zoning and Franchises Sub-Committee who said, “I am vehemently opposed to the Two Trees’ development project next to the Brooklyn Bridge, which is not only a City treasure, but a national one as well. Its panoramic view must not be destroyed! We should be doing everything in our power to preserve this historic jewel for future generations.” This story has picked up tremendous coverage including AP, USA Today, the NY Times, the NY Post, and many other vehicles. See below for:
The Daily News - David McCullough joins fight against DUMBO condo tower plan
The New York Times - Historian Opposes Tower Near Brooklyn Bridge
The Brooklyn Eagle - Iconic Author to City: Proposed Project is 'Visual Vandalism'
Newsday - Critics protest planned tower near Brooklyn Bridge
Also, on Wednesday, April 1, the NY Post published an article that thoroughly outlined disturbing communications between Two Trees Management and the School Construction Authority (SCA). Last week Councilman David Yassky revealed the results of a Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request that showed clear evidence that the community was misled by the Department of Education (DoE) and the SCA about the due diligence and truthfulness of their efforts to identify existing buildings for a new public middle school in Brooklyn's District 13. The DUMBO Neighborhood Alliance and other concerned citizens have always maintained that a proper, thorough school selection process, mindful of cost effective options to protect tax payers in such economically trying times, was never conducted. Not only was that revealed to be true by the FOIL, but moreover, potential improprieties and unethical practices by these city agencies with respect to their communication with a private developer may have also been uncovered by the documents. The DNA and surrounding community organizations have sent the SCA and the DoE a list of alternate school sites but have received no feedback regarding their potential viability. Furthermore, the DNA has sent two letters to the DoE requesting they provide their analysis and copy of Environmental Impact Study of the site yet they have failed to provide one. You can read more about the results of the FOIL at: Brooklyn Heights Blog, http://www.nypost.com or http://brooklynpaper.com.
That's it for now. We have a lot of momentum as we move closer to the April 22 City Planning Commission vote. Please help keep up the pressure by letting the CPC commissioners know how you feel about this project. Send a message to the Chair, Amanda Burden.
| Wednesday, March 18, 2009 |
Thanks to everyone who spoke out at the March 4 City Planning Commission hearing! Once again we had a solid showing of friends and neighbors opposed to the large-scale development proposed for Dock St. Stay tuned for details on the upcoming City Council Hearing, the final and most important chance for you to present your views on this issue.
If you were unable to attend the City Planning Commission hearing, please write to CPC. This is always a great way to participate if you're unable to attend in person. Please make sure your testimony is received by March 16.
Send mail to:
City Planning Commission
c/o Calendar Information Office
22 Reade Street-Room 2E
New York, NY 10007
| Wednesday, March 4, 2009 |
Borough President Marty Markowitz's long awaited non-binding recommendation for Dock St. was disclosed this week and much to our chagrin his position is considerably different than it was in 2004. At that time he rejected the Dock St. rezoning and stated that no building close to the Brooklyn Bridge should exceed the height of the bridge walkway. All of us are unsure what caused this change of heart, but it is clear that we will continue our work amidst the twists and turns of the political process.
We urge all of you to come out and testify against the Dock St. project at the Department of City Planning public hearing on Wednesday, March 4th at 11 am. The hearing will be at
Thank You All for coming out and showing your strong support!
Last Tuesday (1/27), Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz held a well-attended hearing on Dock Street. Over 100 people gave testimony, speaking out 3 to 1 against the project.
Two overarching themes came out during the 4 hour hearing. First, that the Brooklyn Bridge is too important to leave unprotected. Second, that bundling the school in with the rezoning request forces a "false choice" between preserving the bridge and getting a new school.
Who is going to choose preservation over education? Marty Markowitz will have the make a decision, before his recommendation goes to the City Planning Commission. You need to tell Marty how you feel.
Written testimony can be presented to the Borough President through Wednesday, February 18th. After that Marty will make a recommendation. This is an influential step in the Uniform Land Use Review process, so please send an email or a letter telling Borough President Markowitz that you oppose the Two Trees Dock Street project, and support the DNA's Comprehensive Rezoning Proposal. Please send a copy of your letter to DNA. See sample letter.
Please read the New York Times article by Christine Haughney published on January 20, 2009.
DUMBO Residents Fight For View Of The Brooklyn Bridge... Please read CBS 2 local coverage by Deborah Garcia from January 21, 2009.
Hello and a big thank you to all who braved the cold and made it to the Rally to Save the Brooklyn Bridge on Sunday morning!
With over 100 people in attendance, including Councilmembers Yassky and Avella, Simeon Bankoff from the Historic Districts Council, residents from the DUMBO, Fulton Ferry Landing, Vinegar Hill and Brooklyn Heights neighborhoods as well as the rest of New York City, and a major press presence, we successfully made our positions clear:
The Brooklyn Bridge - a National Historic Landmark and internationally beloved icon - must be protected from being compromised by the proposed Dock Street development, which will destroy views of and from the bridge if it is built;
The DUMBO and Fulton Ferry Landing historic districts and the Fulton Ferry Landing State Park will be cast in shadow and overwhelmed by Dock Street if completed;And, that we support a school, affordable housing, and a "green" LEEDS-certified building at the Dock Street site as proposed by Two Trees, but only if it is no higher than 75 feet - below the walkway of the Brooklyn Bridge.
To look at some of the press coverage, please click on these links:
Brooklyn Eagle
Brooklyn Paper
China Press
Brooklyn Heights Blog
While we feel that Sunday morning's rally was a success, we invite you to come observe the vote by the full membership of Community Board 2, which will take place Wednesday, January 14th, 2009 at 6pm at Brooklyn Borough Hall. Please come down and show your support for the Brooklyn Bridge and DUMBO neighborhood - your attendance is welcome and appreciated! Stay tuned for details. The hearings will begin at 6 pm but the location has not been announced yet.
A proposal for the construction of an 18-story building by Two Trees Development at their Dock Street site adjacent to the Brooklyn Bridge in DUMBO was submitted to the Department of City Planning for certification on November 17th, 2008. The Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) has started and the clock for the overall public review process is ticking.
Two Trees proposed a similar large-scale development building for the Dock Street site in 2004. Due to overwhelming neighborhood opposition – which was reinforced by our elected officials – Two Trees withdrew their proposal. Your voice is CRITICAL if we are to stop this latest attempt to overdevelop DUMBO! We urge you to get involved and let your concerns be heard.
What you need to know about the impact of this development proposed for Dock Street at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge.
Rezoning Examination and Proposal, written summary by planning consultant, Paul Graziano.
VIDEO of Paul Graziano presenting key points from the DNA Rezoning plan. Learn how the proposed Dock St. development would affect you, discover the benefits of a comprehensive zoning plan, and find out how to influence what comes next.
Please check back for directions about the CB2 hearing and sample letter. Spread the word, download the flyer.
) photo by Octavio Molina |
The 125th anniversary of the Brooklyn Bridge was being marked with a series of celebrations over the Memorial Day weekend. The celebration was kicked off with fireworks.
The National Trust has placed DUMBO and the Industrial Brooklyn Waterfront on their list of the
11 most at-risk national treasures for 2007.
 Do you have a neighborhood issue you'd like to talk about? Or would you like to help us make DUMBO the best it can be? Please contact . |
|
Please enter your e-mail address below to stay on top of neighborhood events and issues. Don't miss something fun! (And we promise not to flood your in-box.) |
