Most of us have watched as the once-ugly Port Authority sheds have been replaced by new trees, grass (sod, actually), landscaping and paths both large and small. You may have also noticed the tall light poles (described in this article in the Daily News), which have raised some concern in our neighborhood both in terms of illumination and in their impact to park views. Perhaps you have even seen some of these lit on occasion. Those occasions are part of a process of energizing the lights; they have to be put on at full intensity before burning into lower illumination. In addition, dimmers have not yet been installed. The BBPDC has assured us, however, that they will do a demo for the neighborhood once the dimmers are in place, and before the Park officially opens. This may take place the first week of January. You may also have most recently noticed a large white tent on the waterfront; this is to protect the playground surface, but should be down within a week.
And speaking of that, Pier 1 will be the first part of the Park to open; a “soft opening” is planned for the early part of next year. Somewhere in late January or February, the pathways and benches of part of Pier 1 will open. The lawns will remain closed to allow them to grow. At the same time, Empire Fulton-Ferry State Park will close for a one-year renovation. This renovation was funded by David and Jane Walentas (known most recently for the Dock Street project) as a means to install their carousel in a building designed by Jean Nouvel, a building that was not in the original plans for the Park. For those of you with long memories, in 1999 the community fought a riverside development by Walentas which included the carousel, a 250 room hotel designed by Jean Nouvel, a film multiplex and more. Indeed, that community opposition provided the impetus to finally build a park for the waterfront instead. (http://www.nytimes.com/1999/05/08/nyregion/developer-pursues-plans-for-complex-along-brooklyn-s-waterfront.html)
The future management of the Park is currently in discussion, as New York City has proposed to assume control of its administration. It will also fund the rest of the Park’s construction, with an up-front additional capital contribution of $55 million; it expects thereupon to take more control over the management of the park. New York State needs to agree to such an arrangement, however, which according to this article is far from a sure thing. Should the city take responsibility for the park, all the park areas will at last officially become permanent parkland or become the subject of a conservation easement, something we have urged since the General Project Plan was approved. A new governance structure would also be enacted.
Much of this was announced on December 7th at a public meeting with State Senator Daniel Squadron and Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe, as well as other city officials. News reports from that meeting stated that the housing developments that are to fund the rest of the park will likely be put on hold. It is unclear whether this refers until such time that the real estate market recovers or is a response to Senator Squadron’s continued opposition to housing in the Park. It should be noted, however, that although Senator Squadron opposes housing, he does not oppose the large hotel/condo which is to be built on Pier 1. We have asked him to push for a reduction in the size of the complex by at least eliminating the condo portion, but he has stated that it could be used as a conference center instead so as to finance the Park. We believe that if housing is to be reduced or eliminated, the reduction should be equitably distributed across the Park gateways. If you agree, please send a letter to:
Senator Squadron squadron@senate.state.ny.us;
Mayor Bloomberg www.nyc.gov/html/mail/html/mayor.html; and
Adrian Benepe www.nycgovparks.org/sub_ask…/ask_the_commissioner.html
RELATED ARTICLES:
http://www.nypost.com/p/attempted_brooklyn_bridge_park_leadership_mMb0GoPgWkQOu7yO29qATJ
http://www.brooklynpaper.com/stories/32/51/32_51_ac_janes_carousel_in_bridge_park.html
