BREAKING: Community Board 2 Approves Dock Street DUMBO Project

By on January 14, 2009 7:42 pm in Brooklyn Heights, Development, DUMBO, News

According to sources at tonight’s meeting, Community Board 2 gave their stamp of approval for the Two Trees’ Dock Street DUMBO project. The final vote was 30 yeah, 7 nay. More details to hopefully arrive soon.

Congratulations, Two Trees! Looks like the $180k spent on lobbying firms last year really paid off!

And this dispatch from a BHB Tipster in attendance:

Yes, a full house, some standing in the back. Some press.

Marty Markowitz swore in some new CB members and gave a little talk about how important CBs are.

A few other items, then the 5th item on the agenda was the Dock St. project. A few CB members who had previously not had a chance to speak spoke out against it—on person quite cogently, reminding the CB that a few years ago when Walentas previously tried to build tall, that they unanimously passed a resolution saying that nothing taller than the roadway would be approved in the future. That was completely ignored, obviously, and the school carrot carried the day in a big way.

Ken Fisher (super lobbyist was there and looked pleased with the result). Papa Walentas was also there and looked very happy and was speaking with Tish James who called it “a great day.”

I didn’t see Jed, but it’s possible he was there.

People holding signs for and against.

Clearly it was emotional for some people on the CB and in the audience.

Bottom line, you win some, you lose some. It won’t be the end of the world, but I truly hope that Two Trees lives up to all of its commitments to the middle school. Basically since nothing is in writing, and no financing is lined up, they just handed Two Trees a blank check. A few CB members pointed that out. One CB member called the BoE school building process “rotten.”

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  • Publius

    Just got home from the meeting.

    Congratulations to the other side. There were merits to both side of this debate. Most on both sides carried themselves very well (with the exception of the few pro-Dock St. folks who in the final week trotted out the race card. Dispicable.)

    Let’s hope that the blank check that was given over to Two Trees tonight will be properly filled out and cashed. Their latest shenanigans on Atlantic Avenue gives me pause.

    The motion next goes to Marty Markowitz, and onto the City Council.

    Go Brooklyn!

  • Fletcher

    There were pros and cons, but in the end. the pros clearly outweighed the cons. A brand-new public middle school centrally located within the school district, many affordable units included among the market-rate ones, new retail, a new garage, a topnotch architectural firm, -all helped the proposal gain approval. I think the CB did the right thing, The opposition primarity consisted of people who would lose their open views from apartments nearby, a shame, but views are not protected, and this is NYC.
    I think the building will be an asset to the community. Let’s hope that the current financial meltdown does not put a halt to all new building and re-investment because if it does, our goose is cooked for sure.

  • No One Of Consequence

    “they unanimously passed a resolution saying that nothing taller than the roadway would be approved in the future.”

    “I truly hope that Two Trees lives up to all of its commitments to the middle school.”

    If they don’t I think the precedent is set that no one will do anything about it.

  • davoyager

    What a wonderful opportunity has dropped into our laps. Now we get to build a school for generations of kids. I’ve been touting my idea of the Emily Roebling school for the environment but perhaps in light of recent events in the financial community we should consider creating the Bernie Madoff school for ethical business practices.
    See we make the school something real and get 2 trees and the city to commit to the vision before shovel hits the dirt. It’s the job of the Yasskys, and the Avellas of this world to make sure the contracts between city and developer are ironclad.
    That’s the discussion that should be going on.

  • Beavis

    The school could be called the Mike Bloomberg School for Overdevelopment, Developer Gimmes and the Lobbying Arts.

  • pachumama

    Two Trees past performance IS an indicator of FUTURE performance. HELLO, Elected Officials are you aware of what they are doing in violation of the 50 foot limit on Atlantic/Court? The empty threats they used like ‘If you deny us we’ll go commercial’ is typical of their contempt of the community.

    A middle school is certainly a plum for parents but WHY do they have to violate the Brooklyn Bridge roadway height limit? The argument that they can’t make ENOUGH profit if they abide by the CB2 former height ruling is PURE & SIMPLE GREED. Hasn’t 2008 taught us anything about the lies of finance/RE moguls? When is enough $$$$$$ for the Walentases?

    All Brooklynites should know that it’s NOT OVER YET. Their plan has to go to the City Council for approval. We have to get out there and say we’re not willing to sell our precious Brooklyn Bridge for a Middle School. We can have both if the Walentases abide by the height limits.

  • No One Of Consequence

    Yes, and no offense to local papers covering the story, but this also needs some big media attention. Someone must have some contacts…?

  • nabeguy

    As a grade school parent, I fully recognize the need for a middle school, but I just don’t see this location as a viable one. The fact that Two Trees was able to buy up an area of industrial buildings at bargain rates, do a cheap-ass conversion to them (paper-thin walls e.g.) and slap a cutesy acronym to the whole shebang does not qualify this as a “residentail” neighborhood. It is, however, an area with limited pedestrian access, incredible noise and air pollution from the cars going over the bridges, and just happens to sit in one of the lowest flood points in the city. DUMBO indeed.

  • Carlo Trigiani

    At some point in the not too distant future, after the public process has run its course, the City Council will either approve or disapprove. Either way, if all stakeholders remain involved in the public discourse, the greatest possible good for the community will be served.

    Sincerely.

  • Chester

    Should Homer rename DUMBO to something more appropriate like Walentaville?

  • nabeguy

    Carlo, cynic that I am, my fear is that no matter how vociferous or persuasive the public discourse may be, in the end. it will be the private interests that rule the day and benefit the most. That being said, those on either side of this issue should shoulder on with their respective opinions, and give them full throat in the interest of democracy.

  • http://selfabsorbedboomer.blogspot.com Claude Scales

    Given the increasing average height of buildings in the area, how about JUMBO?

  • Carlo Trigiani

    Nabeguy, as a supporter of the project, let me assure you that if promises aren’t kept I’ll be the first to scream. And if the DOE and SCA don’t do the right thing, I’ll let them know what I think.

    Sorry if I’m repetitive, but I sincerely think that when we as individuals participate and speak up, we are heard. And I think that is part of the reason PS 8 is improving. Call me an idealist but maybe if we keep pushing for more resouces for schools and stay active in the system, we can collectively improve it.

  • dd

    When is the middle school scheduled to be opened?

  • Carlo Trigiani

    3, maybe 4 years.

  • No One Of Consequence

    Scream all you want. If it comes to that do you think they’ll give a sh*t anymore?
    3-4 years? The zoning hasn’t been approved yet. The financing is not in place. There are existing structures to be demolished. Are the plans completed? Or are there just fancy elevations showing how the bridge won’t be compromised?

  • davoyager

    If the neighborhood denies the children of Brooklyn this wonderful school, it should be named SCUMBO.

    in my opinion

  • Beavis

    Thanks for your opinion, Jed.

  • davoyager

    Red, Ned , Ted or Ed,
    I should be so lucky ****head.

  • Carlo Trigiani

    Zoning should be approved in six months. Detail design/plans/permitting/financing would then take 9-12 months. After that, construction would take no more than 18 months. Total time 3-4 years.

    The only structure to be demolished is a one story cinderblock building, shouldn’t take a week.

    Obviously the willingness of lenders to make loans is an important factor.

    And before I’m accused of being a tool of the Walentases, I learned this timeline by attending their presentations and asking questions.

    Sincerely,

    Carlo Trigiani

  • Beavis

    Control your rage davoyager. Are you the same da who accused most of your neighbors of being racist?

  • davoyager

    I am enraged by the easy class bias many of my neighbors seem unconscious of. Somebody needed to point out it’s pernicious influence in this debate. Denial aint just a river in Egypt dude.