Admiral's Row Update

Admiral's Row House in August 2005

Admiral's Row - which had its first Consulting Party Meeting last Tuesday (April 15th) is featured in the Lens column of the New York Times: http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/23/geometries-admirals-row/

And remember, check the official Admiral's Row website for materials:
http://www.nan.usace.army.mil/business/buslinks/admiral/index.htm#public


as well as Brooklyn's Other Museum of Brooklyn: http://www.brooklynsothermuseumofbrooklyn.com/

Historic Cheyenne Diner Victory: Diner To Go To….Red Hook, Brooklyn!

Michael Perlman, Founder & Preservationist
Committee To Save The Moondance Diner Founder
unlockthevault@hotmail.com

The architecturally & culturally significant Cheyenne Diner (411 9th Ave at 33rd St) has been purchased, and will gain a new lease on life when transported to Red Hook, Brooklyn. A contract has been signed between property owner George Papas and its new owner, Mike O'Connell of O’C Construction, son of influential Red Hook developer, Greg O’Connell. Preservationist Michael Perlman of Queens, who founded the Committee To Save The Moondance Diner in spring 2007, along with fellow Preservationist Kyle Supley of Brooklyn, have spared the Cheyenne Diner from oblivion, after sparing the Moondance last summer.

Michael Perlman of the Committee To Save The Cheyenne Diner presented a proposal to property owner George Papas (owner of nearby Skylight Diner, 402 W 34th St, & developer for Cheyenne property) on closing day, Sun, Apr 6th, and effectively convinced him to work together.

A 9-story condo is slated to rise on premise, which marked the end of the diner’s 68-year run for its Manhattan site.

When put up for sale on the 10^th of April for $7900, with the necessity of rigging and lot acquisition costs in mind, Committee To Save The Cheyenne received notification from 23 potential buyers, some as far as IN, OH, & WY. While the Cheyenne potentially could have landed a good home out of state, many patrons prayed that a NY-based buyer would reach out, so it can ideally remain closer to its roots than the Moondance Diner in WY. George Papas states "I'm really, really happy the Cheyenne's not being demolished, and will stay in NY." In the short-term, a rigger will be enlisted and permits will be secured. In the long-term, O’Connell plans on restoring the diner to its '40 splendor, and Perlman feels it will be great once he polishes up that gem, so patrons can experience the Cheyenne as it was initially conceived.

The Cheyenne Diner is a highlight in terms of its diverse patronage including celebs i.e. Jerry Lewis & David Letterman, & since it’s the last streamlined railway car-inspired diner in Mid-Manhattan, & a scarcity borough-wide. It was pre-assembled by Paramount in 1940, and known as the Market Diner through ’86 after the popular chain. It retains a majority of its original &/or distinctive elements. The streamlined façade features vertical and horizontal stainless steel securing bowed colorful enamel panels, wrap-around windows, a curved entryway with glass block, & a reverse channel illuminated neon sign. The interior features a streamlined barrel roof, ccounter & stools, & Indian tribal coins. The Cheyenne was recently granted 1^st prize on NYC-Architecture.com’s “Top 10 NY Diners/Restaurants. Spiros Kasimis was the 18-year Cheyenne tenant.

Be sure to check out current and historic photos of the Cheyenne here, here and here!

Crown Heights North Association: Annual Meeting April 16th

The Crown Heights North Association invites you to attend its 2nd Annual Town Hall Meeting on April 16th, 2008. The event will commence at 6:45pm in the St. Gregory's RC School auditorium on St. Johns Place at Brooklyn Avenue.

Phase I of the Crown Heights North Historic District was landmarked in 2007. The designation of Phase II will likely prove the biggest challenge because it is the largest of the four (4) proposed phases identified by the Landmark Preservation Commission. CHNA looks forward to your continued support as they prepare for the designation of over 1000 homes and buildings located within the Phase II outline area.

• View the Crown Heights North Phase I Historic District Map
• IBO Report on Impact of Historic Districts on Property Values
• Visit the Crown Heights North Association's Web site
  

Prospect Heights: LPC to Present Historic Designation Forum April 9

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

The movement for designation of a historic district in Prospect Heights is gathering momentum. Following PHNDC's request to the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission for an evaluation of a Prospect Heights Historic District, LPC will present its proposed boundaries for the district at a community forum on Wednesday, April 9 beginning at 7:00PM. The forum will be held at P.S. 9, 80 Underhill Avenue (between St. Marks Avenue and Bergen Street). Representatives from LPC will also answer questions from residents and business owners.

Come to find out more and show your support at this important moment in this critical initiative to protect the scale and character of Prospect Heights!


More information on historic designation for Prospect Heights:

• Background of local efforts to win designation
• PHNDC's proposed boundaries for a Prospect Heights historic district
• Frequently asked questions
• Other ways you can help

Civil War Book Talk at Green-Wood Cemetery

The Green-Wood Historic Fund presents:

Two Brothers: One North, One South
A book talk with author David H. Jones

Sunday, April 6, 2008 1:00 PM@
Green-Wood Cemetery’s Historic Chapel

A Union officer. A Confederate solider. Joined by blood and united in death.

Clifton Kennedy Prentiss and William Scolay Prentiss were Maryland brothers who fought on opposing sides during the Civil War. Both were mortally wounded in the same late-War battle, as Clifton led an attack on the fort William was defending. Both were taken to Armory Square Hospital in Washington, D.C., where poet and military hospital volunteer Walt Whitman became the link between them.

David H. Jones gives a book talk and signing on his exceptionally researched fictionalized account of the Prentiss brothers, Two Brothers: One North, One South. From battlefields to the drawing rooms of wartime Richmond, Jones keenly depicts four turbulent years of America’s costliest and most commemorated war.

Admission is free but space is limited. (Suggested $5 donation at the door.)
Call for reservations 718.768.7300.

Following the book talk, Green-Wood historian Jeff Richman will lead a trolley tour to adjoining graves of the Prentiss brothers, as well as other significant Civil War gravesites.
The trolley tour is $20 / $10 for Historic Fund members.

A national historic landmark–Est. 1838– Our main entrance is located at 500 25th Street (on 5th Avenue) in Brooklyn. Via subway, take the R to the 25th Street station. For more info, call 718.768.7300 or visit us at www.greenwoodcemetery.org

Help Stop The Power Plant & Save the Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway

From the Community Based Planning Task Force

As many of you know, Brooklyn Community Board 1’s 197-a plans for the Greenpoint and Williamsburg Waterfronts were approved in 2001. The Bushwick Inlet is the centerpiece and historical point-in-common of the Williamsburg and Greenpoint 197-a plans. Both plans call for a continuous waterfront promenade that would culminate at the Inlet, bringing both communities together and linking them to upland neighborhoods, including McCarren Park. This waterfront park would also serve as a piece of the coming Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway, linking Brooklyn neighborhoods along the waterfront from Greenpoint to Bay Ridge.

The City’s planned, 28-acre Bushwick Inlet Park has been in jeopardy for the last seven years, because TransGas Energy Co. has plans to construct a 1,100 megawatt power plant on the site. The proposed plant would be the fifth power plant in North Brooklyn, have 325-foot smokestacks, and would spew a total 1,075.32 tons per year of toxic emissions into what is already one of the most environmentally overburdened communities in the United States. What’s more, local groups have shown that this plant is not needed to meet NYC’s energy needs. (See: http://www.stopthepowerplant.org/html/inside_story/energy_quest.php )

On March 20th, the New York State Siting Board is set to convene in Albany to determine the fate of TGE and the fate of the park. Last year 10,000 residents of the Greenpoint and Williamsburg communities signed postcards stating their opposition to the proposed TGE power plant. Now, you can add your voice to the opposition. Two Task Force Groups, Greenpoint Waterfront Association for Parks & Planning (GWAPP) and Neighbors Allied for Good Growth (NAG), as well as the Open Space Alliance of North Brooklyn, have created an online petition opposing the power plant and supporting the park. Please take a moment to fill it out online here: http://www.openspacealliancenb.org/form.php.

For more information, please visit: http://www.stopthepowerplant.org.

The Future of Coney Island

MCNY's New York Neighborhoods/Development & Preservation:
The Future Of Coney Island

Wednesday, March 19th. 6:30pm

Coney Island, which achieved near-mythic status in the 20th century as the quintessential amusement park and a New York seashore accessible to millions, is today a neighborhood in transition. A coalition of city agencies and the Coney Island Development Corporation (CIDC) are planning to transform the area into a year-round entertainment complex featuring dozens of new attractions, restaurants, and hotels. Lynn Kelly, President of the CIDC, will present the latest proposal for the area and join a panel discussion moderated by Brad Lander, Director of the Pratt Center for Community Development. Additional panelists include David Gratt, Managing Director, Coney Island USA, Domenic Recchia, representative to the City Council from the 47th District, and Chuck Reichenthal, District Manager of Community Board 13.

Reservations required. $9 for non-members, $5 for Museum members, seniors & students. For reservations and program information: 212-534-1672, ext. 3395.

Museum of the City of New York
1220 Fifth Avenue at 104th Street
http://www.mcny.org/

Rally to Save the Green Church in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn!

Join the Committee to Save the Bay Ridge United Methodist Church from Demolition!

RALLY on Saturday, February 16th, 10 am
Meet at the corners of Ovington & Fourth Avenues

• Did you know that the parsonage, the first row house on Ovington Avenue,is scheduled to be demolished too?
• Did you know that a documented slum lord is the developer?
• Fight to protect the neighbors who share a common wall with the parsonage as well as all the neighbors on this block of attached homes which may be compromised by destroying the end house.
• Fight to force the developers to find an adaptive reuse of the existing buildings.
  

Destruction is not the only answer!

For further information:
Committee to Save the Bay Ridge United Methodist Church
718-748-5950
Box 57 • 6904 Colonial Road
Brooklyn, NY 11209
SaveTheGreenChurch@yahoo.com

Playing with Dominos

So at the Landmarks Preservation Commission yesterday, a number of people spoke in deep support of the 5 story addiiton to the landmarked Domino building, saying that without this glass accretion, the affordable housing component of the plan would not go forward.

Let's look at the numbers.

Community Preservation Corporation is intending to build 2,200 units of housing, 30% of which are to be "affordable" (whatever that means...), so approximately 1,500 units will be market rate. Let's say that the recession hits with a vengeance and the unit price drops to $500,000 per unit. $500,000 X 1,500 = $750 million dollars. That's supposing that CPC will be giving away the 700 "affordable" units for free; in truth, there are substantial tax credits and subsidies for those apartments.

$750 million dollars.

Now, in reality, those units are going to be sold for something more like $1,000,000 each (1,500 x $1,000,000 = $1.5 Billion dollars), there is going to be retail space incorporated into the project and you can bet it's going to be big box retail at least partially, since the enormous floor plates + the rent will not be feasible for local small businesses and people living in $1,000,000 high rise waterfront apartments are probably going to want a certain level of consumer goods.

Now, this is all going to take money to build, that's obvious....but when CPC spent $55 million to buy the land....well, in investment circles, that's called putting 7% down. That's 7% considering a return of an incredibly conservative $800 million profit. Make that a $1.5 Billion Dollar profit and you get 3.5% down.

Therefore, could someone please tell us why:

1. They NEED to put that inappropriate glass thing on top of a landmark building

2. They NEED to utterly destroy the windows of a landmark building, and

3. They CAN'T save the sign.

because the financial argument just doesn't make sense.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

HDC's Statement on Domino

Item 28
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
BOROUGH OF Brooklyn
084774- Block 2414, lot 1-

292-314 Kent Avenue - Individual Landmark Historic District

Three American round-arch style industrial buildings, designed by Theodore A. Havemeyer and others and built in 1881-1884. Application is to construct rooftop and rear additions, modify and create masonry openings; and install bulkheads, mechanical equipment, windows, ground floor infill, signage, a canopy and awnings.

The Historic Districts Council is the advocate for New York City’s designated historic districts and neighborhoods meriting preservation. Its Public Review Committee monitors proposed changes within historic districts and changes to individual landmarks and has reviewed the application now before the Commission.

While there are many things we could comment on, such as the loss of the other structures in the historic complex or the lack of illustrations showing the altered landmark in context surrounded by towers as planned, HDC will cut to the chase.

If the proposed came to you as an application for an individual landmark - a building overwhelmed by five glass floors and enormous boxes of mechanicals on top, a building whose fenestration has been completely altered due to new masonry openings and window modifications, a building whose windows had lost all their historic varying details, their lintels, their sills and were now aluminum instead of wood, a building with strange geometric bays, incongruous with the round-arched style factory, jutting out of it – would this highly altered, differently detailed, differently massed building be designated? If these changes would make the building barely recognizable and unworthy of landmarking (we have seen buildings less dramatically altered rejected by the Commission or refused any Public Hearing at all), then these alterations are not appropriate for an individual landmark that is designated.

HDC strongly urges you to reject this application and instead guide a suitable restoration for the landmarked Domino Sugar Refinery.

See also:

New Domino Plan Criticized

WNYC

More Domino Refinery Eye Candy

Gothamist, NY

Activists fight to save Domino's sign

New York Daily News

DOMINO CONDO PLAN UN'SIGN'ED

New York Post

Domino Building at Center of Development Clash

New York Sun

Landmarks Commission Could Approve Domino Plans Tuesday

Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Focus on The Public Place Development on the Gowanus

New Voices on The Gowanus
Focus On the Public Place

Here is your chance to know what the scholars & scientists think about the pollution and remediation issues

Monday Febraury 4, 2008 @ 6:30 PM
P.S. 58 AUDITORIUM
330 SMITH STREET
(Enter on Carroll St. between Smith & Court)

You have heard from potential developers, city planners, government agencies, not for profits, elected officials, et al, about their visions for the future of the Gowanus Area and especially The Public Place.

Now hear new voices and up to now “missing” points of view – that of academic and scientific scholars – the Professors and students from Columbia University Graduate Schools of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Planning & Preservation who have been studying our Gowanus for over two years have just published a book – (147 pages in full color) with their complete research, findings, theories, ideas and recommendations. At this event they will give a Power Point presentation of the main points of their book and then take pollution and remediation-related questions from the audience.

(The event is hosted by Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez, Assemblywoman Joan Millman, SBLDC - South Brooklyn Local Development Corp., FROGG - Friends & Residents of Greater Gowanus, CORD - Coalition For Respectful Development.)

FROGG a community based grass-roots organization advocating for environmentally sound community planning for the Gowanus Canal neighborhoods.
FROGG meets on the third Tuesday of the month. For more information, please visit http://frogg.us/

Amity Street Revisited

We got this response the other from Francis Greenburger of Time Equities in response to our post about the proposed development on Amity Street which the LPC turned down. In that post, we said although it was turned down, the "LPC declined to act on this application, instead sending it back to the drawing board rather than rejecting it outright. What this means is that the application is still officially open. It would be procedurally more correct have rejected it - closing the door on the whole concept - and inviting the developers to re-apply with a completely different project." Here's what Mr. Greenburger wrote in:

Francis Greenburger, CEO and Chairman, Time Equities Inc. said...

Time Equities and its partner Lucky Boy do not want to present a project that does not have community support. We thought the mews approach did because it was supported verbally and in writing by a number of community residents and local architects based on meetings we held in November and December. The mews design was also recommended for approval by the Landmarks staff who reviewed the plan.

It may be that some community members who took issue with the mews did not attend these meetings. The benefit of the Landmark process is that it gives all stakeholders a chance to be heard. Several concerns that arose at the meetings led to changes.

We value feedback from the community and the commission and will continue to address concerns, such as those that arose in the early meetings which led to design revisions of the Henry Street façade of the new townhouse.

At this point, we will re-conceive the project in a traditional street wall approach and try to present a plan that is responsive to the input received at the most recent Landmark hearing. As we did last time, we will reach out to the community and Landmark staff prior to presenting the final concept to the commission.

Sounds to us like it's on the right track and it's a good faith effort that we greatly appreciate. Thank you Mr. Greenburger, for being open to discussion about your project and for reaching out to the community. We look forward to reviewing this proposal as it evolves. We still stand by our contention that LPC should have rejected it completely rather than getting into the public meeting/public hearing imbriglio - but that's not the applicant's doing.

See also our friends at Brownstoner, Lost City and Gowanus Lounge for more responses.

Feds Mandate Environmental Review of Admiral's Row

Navy Yard supermarket on hold as feds consider ‘Row’
By Dana Rubinstein
The Brooklyn Paper

A plan to tear down 10 historic houses at the Brooklyn Navy Yard and replace them with a supermarket has been delayed indefinitely thanks to a decision by federal officials to review whether the dilapidated 150-year-old mansions can be saved.

“There is absolutely no way we can give any sort of end date at all … there is no mandated time limit,” said Kristin Leahy, the manager of the National Guard Bureau Cultural Resources Program, which is investigating the mansions’ historical integrity — to the frustration of those eager to see the run-down buildings torn down.

Leahy said the earliest that she could hold a meeting with the city, area residents and preservationists is March. And that meeting would be just the first of a series.

Admirals Row, which overlooks Flushing Avenue near Navy Street, sits on six acres of federally owned land in the otherwise city-controlled Navy Yard.

The National Guard wants to sell the land, and according to local law, must give the city first dibs. But because of the houses’ historic significance, the Guard must also go through an arduous public comment and historic review process.

Learn about Preservation's History at Green-Wood Cemetery

Preserving New York at the historic chapel at Green-Wood Cemetery

Saturday, January 12, 2008 at 1:00 P.M.

"'Tony is something of a conscience for the preservation community,” said Roberta Brandes Gratz, who founded the Eldridge Street Project and sits on the Landmarks Preservation Commission. “He really understands what is right, what is wrong, what is missing, what is there.'" To read more about Anthony C. Wood's book, Preserving New York: Winning the Right to Protect a City's Landmarks, read this article from The New York Times City Room Blog.

As part of the New York Times Arts & Leisure Weekend, The Green-Wood Historic Fund and the New York Preservation Archive Project are pleased to present a conversation with Anthony C. Wood, author of the new book Preserving New York: Winning the Right to Protect a City’s Landmarks. Moderated by Joseph Bresnan, FAIA, and former executive director of the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission.

Admission is free but space is limited (suggested $5 donation at the door). Call for reservations 718.768.7300.

A national historic landmark—Green-Wood Cemetery's main entrance is located at 500 25th Street (on 5th Avenue) in Brooklyn. Via subway, take the R to the 25th Street station. For more info, call 718.768.7300 or visit Green-Wood on-line at www.greenwoodcemetery.org

Amity Street Development Turned Back By LPC

From The Brooklyn Paper

City rejects historic housing plan
By Mike McLaughlin
The Brooklyn Paper

The city Landmarks Preservation Commission shot down a controversial plan to build a row of new, gated-off townhouses in the Cobble Hill Historic District.
The commission disapproved of almost all elements of the plan that called for converting the historic Lamm Institute at the corner of Amity and Henry streets into eight apartments and for the construction of six, single-family townhouses in a controversial “mews-style” gated compound that would not only obstruct neighbors’ views, but would also be inconsistent with existing architecture in the historic district.
“The gates were not a feature seen in the district or anywhere in the city of New York for that matter,” said Lisi De Bourbon, a Landmarks spokeswoman, and “the mews concept was out of context with the district.”
The developers designed their project as a modern mews — in this case, a private lane and courtyard — accessible from Henry Street. Five of the townhouses would have formed a row with their entrances on a private, gated lane.
Historically, a mews was a small side street for stables.
Now it’s back to the drawing board for Lucky Boy Development and Time Equities, the developers of the project.

What this article doesn't say is that LPC declined to ACT on this application, instead sending it back to the drawing board rather than rejecting it outright. What this means is that the application is still officially open. It would be procedurally more correct have rejected it - closing the door on the whole concept - and inviting the developers to re-apply with a completely different project.

BHA's, FFLA's, DNA's & VHNA's Joint Opposition to the Dock Street Project

The Dumbo Neighborhood Association, Fulton Ferry Landing Association, the Brooklyn Heights Association and the Vinegar Hill Neighborhood Association (collectively, the “Associations”) have joined together in opposition to the proposed development by Two Trees Management Corp. at the intersection of Water and Dock Streets, adjacent to the Brooklyn Bridge. Approximately three years ago, Two Trees Corp withdrew its application to build a similar high-rise building on this site after local elected officials and the Associations raised an array of objections to the proposal. Despite the inclusion of a school and affordable housing units, the defects of this new project are essentially the same as those that resulted in the failure of the previous project. The proposed high-rise project will have a substantial negative impact on the surrounding historic neighborhoods, is completely out of scale with adjacent structures, and fails to recognize its unique and historically significant urban context. Moreover, it will profoundly diminish the views from and of the Brooklyn Bridge, one of our City’s – and, indeed, our nation’s – most important monuments to architecture and engineering.

To officially endorse the Joint Statement by the DUMBO Neighborhood Association, Brooklyn Heights Association and Fulton Ferry Landing Association opposing the Dock Street development, please send an email with "Dock Street Project" in the subject line to lbelfer@hdc.org. Be sure to provide your full name snail mail address. You can also read more about the efforts to preserve the character of this neighborhood by visiting this website.

The entirety of the Associations' joint statement is included below.

JOINT STATEMENT OF THE BROOKLYN HEIGHTS ASSOCIATION, DUMBO NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION, FULTON FERRY LANDING ASSOCIATION RE: DOCK STREET DUMBO PROJECT

The Dumbo Neighborhood Association, Fulton Ferry Landing Association and the Brooklyn Heights Association (collectively, the “Associations”) have joined together in opposition to the proposed development by Two Trees Management Corp. at the intersection of Water and Dock Streets, adjacent to the Brooklyn Bridge. Approximately three years ago, Two Trees Corp withdrew its application to build a similar high-rise building on this site after local elected officials and the Associations raised an array of objections to the proposal. Despite the inclusion of a school and affordable housing units, the defects of this new project are essentially the same as those that resulted in the failure of the previous project. The proposed high-rise project will have a substantial negative impact on the surrounding historic neighborhoods, is completely out of scale with adjacent structures, and fails to recognize its unique and historically significant urban context. Moreover, it will profoundly diminish the views from and of the Brooklyn Bridge, one of our City’s – and, indeed, our nation’s – most important monuments to architecture and engineering.

The “Bowl”:
The site is positioned at a key transition zone between the five-story row house scale of the Fulton Ferry Landing Historic District to the west, its squat and massive Empire Store complex to the north, the assembly of DUMBO Gair Buildings to the east, and the Brooklyn Bridge Anchorage to the south from which springs the diagonal span of the bridge northwest to Manhattan. The view of this entire span must be protected. The area around the Brooklyn Bridge forms a vast spatial “bowl”, allowing residents and visitors from around the world views of and from this global landmark. This open urban space welcomes the bridge and its thousands of visitors to Brooklyn with open arms as it spans from Manhattan. Interrupting this, the proposed building sits completely within this “bowl”, cutting off views from the bridge of the waterfront and the Empire Stores, and views of the bridge from the DUMBO streets. The building would be substantially closer than any other building of its height to the bridge, in either Brooklyn or Manhattan, and would effectively eliminate the “bowl” completely on this side of the bridge. Meanwhile, for those moving along the bridge towards Manhattan, especially pedestrians and cyclists, the proposed building significantly diminishes panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline and Manhattan Bridge.

The ”Density”:
The project as proposed does not reflect the low-density scale of this part of Dumbo and the Fulton Ferry neighborhood to the west. “The area proposed for rezoning is framed by the context of the four-to-six story buildings located at 64-72 Water Street and the Civil war era Empire Stores and Tobacco Warehouse in Brooklyn Bridge Park located directly across the street from the subject site. This area serves as a transition zone between the taller concrete industrial buildings found along Main Street to the 2-to-3 story buildings in Fulton Landing which are in character with an R6B contextual zoning designation.”(1)

“The Size”:
Two Trees is requesting a number of modifications and exemptions to zoning requirements, all of which combine to create a building that is simply too tall and too large for this site.

• a. Proposed Zoning Designation: This site should act as a transition from DUMBO to Fulton Ferry rather than a wall. We maintain, as we and many others did in connection with the developer’s prior proposal, that any new building on this immediate area should be no higher than 80’. Only by limiting the height of any building on this site to below the height of theBrooklyn Bridge span, can the sweeping views one enjoys of the river and Manhattan from the Brooklyn Bridge be preserved. The proposed R8 zoning without a contextual designation would enable the developer to build a structure that breaks the gradual transition from DUMBO to Fulton Ferry and impairs the viewscape from and of the bridge.

• b. Proposed Floor Area Exemptions: The proposal seeks to exempt over 92,000 sq.ft. of space from the floor area calculations. While a public middle school is in great demand for our communities, we do not believe that this need should be met at the expense of the character of our neighborhoods or historic integrity of the bridge.

• c. Proposed Modifications to Setback Requirements: The proposal seeks a complete exemption from setback requirements. We maintain that this site should act as a transition zone between DUMBO and Fulton Ferry. The required setbacks would maintain some level of integrity to street wall heights that characterize the low, historic buildings of Water Street and the Fulton Ferry Historic District.

• d. Proposed Modifications to Rear Yard Requirements: The proposal requests that no rear yard be required. The intention of rear yard requirements is to maintain a minimum of light and air in our dense urban fabric. This already dense block would benefit greatly from compliance with these regulations.
  

• e. Special Permission from DOT to Encroach on 70’ Bridge Limit: There is no substantive reason why, at such an early stage in the process, this issue cannot be solved architecturally rather than requiring DOT’s permission to compromise its regulation. We believe that any such compromise would not only be premature, but could also set a dangerous precedent for future development and for the security of the bridge.

To mitigate the above concerns, the Associations contend that any development at Water and Dock Streets must recognize the unique historic character and context of the area with abuilding (including HVAC and other equipment) that is no higher than 80’ in height, contributes to the character of both DUMBO & Fulton Ferry Landing, and has special consideration for the historic views from and of the Brooklyn Bridge.

August 10, 2007

(1): Borough President Marty Markowitz’s Recommendation Report to the City Planning Commission regarding 38 Water Street, dated 7/1/04

Best of 2007: Brooklyn CM Bill De Blasio Supports Special Limited Height Restriction in Cobble Hill Historic District

An addition atop the former Independence Bank Building on the corner of Court Street and Atlantic Avenue in the Cobble Hill Historic District proposed by developer Two Trees caused quite a stir this year. After some design modifications, the LPC approved the proposal but the plan still required several zoning waivers from the City Planning Commission, including eliminating the rear yard to build to the back of the property line and allowing the building to rise to 60 feet in a 50 foot maximum height limited zone. These permissions were fought against at City Planning by a strong coalition of community activists and preservationists, including the Cobble Hill Association, the Brooklyn Heights Association, the Society for the Architecture of the City and HDC. In addition, we were joined in opposition by Brooklyn Community Board Six and Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz. Unfortunately, local Council Member Bill de Blasio was supportive of the waivers and had testified in favor of them at the City Planning hearing. However, after several meetings with CM de Blasio, we successfully made the case that the height variance had the potential to set a very dangerous precedent citywide for all of the city’s historic districts and he asked his colleagues at the City Council to decline permission for the height waiver, which they did. HDC is proud of our neighborhood partners in Brooklyn for their successful advocacy and very grateful to CM de Blasio for his open mind on the issue, open-door policy to community members and willingness to re-examine the situation.

Winning CM De Blasio’s support was an essential step in ensuring the integrity of this Limited Height District. Which is why, to facilitate the future exposure of elected officials to current preservation and land use concern, HDC launched the League of Preservation Voters Initiative in February. Beginning during the special election for the local council seat in Brooklyn’s District 40, HDC and the Coalition of Concerned Preservation Voters in the 40th District sponsored a public forum with candidates for the District’s special election and released a corresponding Voter Guide. Candidates discussed important preservation and development concerns including questions of landmark designation, community rezoning and building codes within the district.

As the 2009 municipal elections approach, HDC hopes to host similar forums in contended districts throughout the city. These forums will be nonpartisan and will not endorse any specific candidates. Rather, the goal here is to expose to the public the amount of knowledge candidates have on these issues, and to likewise demonstrate that these are genuine concerns of communities throughout the city. To read the sample Voter Guide released in February, and to check out the candidate’s responses, please click here.

The precedent is a positive one. Dr. Mathieu Eugene, the winner and new council member, has since been supportive, listing “Neighborhood Preservation” as one of his top priorities and having testified in favor of a handful of proposed landmarks in front of the Landmarks Preservation Commission.

DUMBO designated

After 9 long years, the deed is done.

See http://www.nyc.gov/html/lpc/downloads/pdf/press/12_18_07.pdf for the official word, and then from our friends in the Fourth Estate....

Dumbo Is Now Protected as a Historic District
New York Times, United States - By Sewell Chan
Like SoHo and TriBeCa before it, Dumbo has now made its way from neighborhood acronym to historic treasure.

Landmark status approved for Brooklyn's DUMBO neighborhood
Newsday, NY - (AP)
The Landmarks Preservation Commission voted Tuesday to designate the DUMBO section of Brooklyn as the city's 90th historic district.

Landmark Status for Brooklyn Neighborhood
WNYC, NY

DUMBO Area Gets Landmarked
New York Sun, NY - By TATYANA GERSHKOVICH
DUMBO's industrial facades and celebrated view of the Manhattan Bridge will be preserved, as the city's Landmarks Preservation.

LPC Approves DUMBO Historic District
Gothamist, NY
It's official. Today the Landmarks Preservation Commission voted to designate DUMBO a historic district, pending City Council approval.

'HISTORIC' TAG TO CURB DUMBO BUILDING
New York Post, NY By RICH CALDER
The city's Landmarks Preservation Commission today will vote to designate as historic more than 20 blocks of prime real estate in DUMBO.


Plus check out http://dumbonyc.com/ for comments and pictures which I took which I'm too lazy to post myself.

Admiral's Row Mobile, courtesy of Curbed

Blatantly and completely mirrored from Curbed, because sometimes you can't improve on brillance:Thursday, December 6, 2007, by Robert
[Photo via Brit in Brooklyn]

There's a meeting coming up next week in Brooklyn about the "proposed disposal" of the buildings on the Brooklyn Navy Yard property alternately called Admiral's Row or Officer's Row. We know this because someone has been driving around Brooklyn in a beat up car with a big sign about that meeting that says "Mayor Moo Moo, you dolt! Landmark Admiral's Row!" on one side. The other side substitutes "Maroon" for "Dolt." The sign is the work of Brooklyn's Other Museum of Brooklyn, which is pushing to preserve the buildings. The historic buildings are up for "proposed disposal" so the land can be used for a parking lot for a supermarket.

· Public Hearing on the Disposal of Admiral's Row [Brit in Brooklyn]
· Officials Say Admiral's Row Has Got to Go [Curbed]
· Group Asks for a 'Pardon' for Admiral's Row [Curbed]

Speaking Truth to Power: Duffield Street Home Spared from Eminent Domain

Last week, it was announced that 227 Duffield Street, which was slated to be demolished as part of the Downtown Brooklyn Redevelopment Plan, will be spared. Read all about it.

Duffield Street Saved!
Brooklyn Downtown STAR

City woman leads charge against eminent domain
amNewYork

Real Estate Round-Up Sympathetic Judge Helps Save Alleged ...
Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Truesdell Duffield Street House Saved from Eminent Domain

Press Conference!
Monday December 3, 2007, 12 PM
227 Duffield Street (between Fulton & Willoughby Streets in Brooklyn)

Contacts: Joy Chatel, (347) 731-5481
Ilana Berger, Families United for Racial and Economic and Equality, (347) 645-4255
Jennifer Levy, South Brooklyn Legal Services, (917) 543-7201
Raul Rothblatt, Four Borough Neighborhood Preservation Alliance, (646) 498-6093

Invited Speakers: Councilmembers Charles Barron, Letitia James, Tony Avella, John Liu; Assembly Member Hakeem Jeffries, State Senator Velmanette Montgomery, US Congressional Representative Yvette Clarke, Assembly Representative Joseph Lentol; Rev. Clinton Miller, Rev. Dyson, Joy Chatel, Families United For Racial and Economic Equality, Jennifer Levy Esq., Four Borough Neighborhood Preservation Alliance, Lewis Greenstein, Raul Rothblatt, Christabel Gough, Jim Driscoll, Richard Hourahan, and others.

Brooklyn, NY 11/29/07 — In settlement of a lawsuit filed by Joy Chatel and Families United for Racial and Economic Equality (FUREE) the City has pledged that it will not use eminent domain to condemn 227 Duffield. The property has been the subject of controversy since 2004 when the City announced that it intended to take the property by eminent domain as part of their Downtown Brooklyn Redevelopment Plan. The Downtown Brooklyn Plan is a massive redevelopment plan based on a rezoning of the area in 2004. The plan calls for over 4 million square feet of new retail, commercial and luxury housing in the middle of a historically low-income community.

On January 7, 2004, Joy Chatel, an owner of 227 Duffield Street was given a notice informing her that her home would be taken by eminent domain and demolished to make way for a new parking lot. Many believe that her home was a station on the Underground Railroad and a vital cultural treasure that should be preserved. The Underground Railroad was the network of people and places in which fugitive slaves sought refuge when escaping from the plantation system in the South.

The home, built in 1848, was owned by Thomas and Harriet Lee-Truesdell, prominent abolitionists of that era. Their role in the abolitionist movement, coupled with their relationships with other active abolitionists in Downtown Brooklyn, led the City’s own researchers to conclude that the property was “quite possibly” linked to the Underground Railroad and the majority of historians commissioned by the City to review its research advocated for the home’s preservation. Despite this historical documentation and the presence of several unexplainable architectural abnormalities in the sub-basements from 227-235 Duffield St, the City of New York initially concluded that the home’s historic significance did not warrant its preservation. In response to litigation and years of advocacy on the part of those who support preserving the property, the City has agreed to re-draw its plans for Downtown Brooklyn so that the condemnation of 227 Duffield will not be necessary.

“I want to thank the Mayor for listening to our plea,” Joy Chatel, an owner of 227 Duffield Street said, “My vision is to continue the Cultural Center and Museum my daughter and I started years ago; so all people home and abroad can benefit from the rich history downtown Brooklyn has to offer. I am also thankful to the many people who have gone to great lengths to make sure that this vision comes to fruition.”

“So many of us in the community did not want to see the Underground Railroad become an underground parking lot,” said Randy Leigh, area resident and FUREE board member. “Too much of our history has already been lost, and we know the City did the right thing by listening to the community and protecting our history. “

The suit was brought by Jennifer Levy of South Brooklyn Legal Services who says: “I commend the City for their flexibility. They have shown that it is possible to do development thoughtfully, in a manner that is responsive to community concerns, and with an eye to preserving our history.”

Tours of the home will be given on request.