Update: Adding Commissioner McRae’s statement and FFLA’s position.
An overflow crowd listened intently as the vote on Dock Street DUMBO took place yesterday at the City Planning Commission offices in lower Manhattan. The 11-2 vote in favor of a slightly modified proposal came as a disappointment to the local community association representatives that were present, including FFLA. The token modification was a one-floor reduction of height in the tower, and a 21 foot lowering of only a 50 foot section of the Water Street wing.
In her statement objecting to the proposal, Commissioner Shirley McRae asked for all of the modifications in Borough President Marty Markowitz’s recommendation, including setbacks that would effectively move the tower section an additional 50 feet from the Bridge and reduce its girth. However, unlike the BP, she also stipulated that the tower height should be capped at 150 feet.
FFLA believes that the 70′ setback from Front Street (above 85′) and the reduction in tower height would be an obvious improvement over what CPC approved, but we further believe that the Water Street wing should be lowered in its entirety to 55′, the height of the Empire Stores, to preserve the stupendous views seen while walking down Old Fulton Street, looking under the Brooklyn Bridge at the sky and the Manhattan Bridge beyond. See photo example.
The project will now go before the Zoning and Land Use Committees of City Council, before being voted on by the full Council. Local Councilmembers David Yassky and Bill de Blasio continue to oppose the project, as well as CM Tony Avella.
Additional coverage can be found at NY1, NY Post, Brooklyn Daily Eagle.
Also, the Hollywood Reporter details the stars who are coming out against the Dock Street project.
Please write, email or call Council Speaker Christine Quinn and Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s office to express your opposition.
Christine Quinn
224 West 30th St (Suite 1206)
New York, NY 10001
(212) 788-7210
email: cquinn@council.nyc.gov
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg
City Hall
New York, NY 10007
email: http://www.nyc.gov/html/mail/html/mayor.html
