Fulton Ferry Landing Association

On Tuesday April 28th at 12:30 PM, a press conference will be held on the steps of City Hall to address the recent approval of the controversial Dock Street project by City Planning. 

Speakers will include Pulitzer Prize winning author and historian David McCullough, New York City Council Members David Yassky, Tony Avella and Bill de Blasio, representatives from preservation groups such as The Municipal Art Society, The Historic Districts Council, and The National Trust for Historic Preservation, civic groups DUMBO Neighborhood Alliance (DNA), Brooklyn Heights Association (BHA), and Fulton Ferry Landing Association (FFLA), as well as DUMBO residents and actors Skipp Sudduth (“Third Watch”, “Law and Order”) and Terry Kinney (“The Unusuals” and director of Broadway play “Reasons to Be Pretty”).

This event will act as the platform to address the truths and myths behind the project and the direct impact it will have on citizens of New York and around the world.

It is notable that, according to the New York Post, “officials for the company (Two Trees) — including the Walentases — have dished out $29,700 in campaign donations over this period to Councilwoman Melinda Katz and another $19,800 to Council Speaker Christine Quinn.  Katz, a local Democrat running for City Comptroller, heads the council’s land use committee, which must eventually decide whether to put Two Trees’ request for a necessary zoning change before the full council for final approval.”

Please write, email or call Council Speaker Christine Quinn to express your opposition.

Christine Quinn
224 West 30th St (Suite 1206)
New York, NY 10001
(212) 788-7210
email: cquinn@council.nyc.gov

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

David McCullough speaks out against the planned Dock Street tower adjacent to the Brooklyn Bridge in this video, view it here. You can also read more about it at about.com.