BHB’s Sarah Portlock tells us that the New York City Council’s Land Use Committee overwhelmingly gave its OK to Two Trees’ Dock Street DUMBO project today. The plan will go before the full City Council for approval on June 10.
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DNA Asks 70 Washington Residents for Donation in Dock Street Fight
As the New York City Council prepares to give a likely thumbs up to Two Trees’ Dock Street DUMBO project today, BHB has obtained documents that say the DUMBO Neighborhood Alliance (DNA) has solicited a donation of $25,000 from the building fund of 70 Washington Street to fuel their campaign.
The letter, which was forwarded to BHB by a resident, begins:
The Board of Managers has recently received two requests from community groups asking that 70 Washington contribute to their causes using money from building funds. As a matter of policy, the Board of Managers has decided to put these requests to all building residents to decide upon via referendum. Accordingly, please review the two requests, and the attached supporting information that the respective groups have provided. The Building currently has approximately $1.14 million available, including the Reserve Fund and Working Capital. The groups’ supporting materials should be deemed as a matter of opinion only, and are not representative of the Board.
Please note, for the Board of Managers to consider this referendum binding, the response must be comprised of at least 51% of unit owners (132 of the total 259 units). Votes returned without unit number/s and signature will be considered invalid…
As a further note, regarding Dock Street and DCP rezoning, 42 Main has assessed residents and contributed $10,000 to the DUMBO Neighborhood Alliance. [Full PDF of letter]
In addition, this email was sent to members of the DUMBO Neighborhood Alliance on Monday: Continue Reading →
DNA on Dock Street DUMBO: Investigate “Possible Criminal Activity” by Two Trees, SCA and DOE
The DUMBO Neighborhood Association (“DNA”), which has opposed the Dock Street project proposed by developer Jed Walentas of Two Trees Management, today sent a four page letter to the Inspector General of the New York City School Construction Authority (“SCA”), and to the Inspector General for Lobbying Activities, demanding “a thorough investigation into the activities of the SCA, the Department of Education (‘DOE’), and Two Trees Management, its principals, lobbyists and attorneys.” According to DNA’s press release, this letter was prompted by “stunning testimony” given at a recent City Council hearing concerning the Dock Street project, which is pending Council approval. Continue Reading →
Yassky, Gioia Protest Dock Street DUMBO
BHB contributor Matthew Parker sent in these photos of our man in the NYC Council, David Yassky, and fellow councilmember Eric Gioia of the 26th District at this morning’s rally in Brooklyn Bridge Park to protest Two Trees’ Dock Street DUMBO project. Also in attendance project opponent Christian Roebling the great-great grandson of Washington and Emily Roebling who built the Brooklyn Bridge.
CB2 Member Comes Out Swinging Against Dock Street DUMBO
CB2 Land Use Committee member/DUMBO resident Andrew Stengel has written an open letter regarding Dock Street DUMBO. It’s posted on DumboNYC.com:
Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandies wrote that “sunlight is the best disinfectant.” Unfortunately, much of the process around Dock Street Dumbo has proceeded mostly when the only light is that of the moon.
NYT on Dock Street
The New York Times ran a story on the opposition to Two Trees’ Dock Street DUMBO project in its online edition on Friday (it ran in print yesterday), along with a nifty Flash graphic showing before and after views from the Brooklyn Bridge:
New York Times: Mr. Walentas maintains that the opposition is being driven by people who would lose views from their condominiums and who are using hyped-up claims about the bridge to whip up sentiment against the project.
For his part, Mr. [Kristian] Roebling, who lives in Brooklyn and is the father of two young children, said the view from his apartment would not change. The proposed building, he said, is just too tall.
“It’s practically touching the bridge,” Mr. Roebling said.
Mr. Walentas said he needed the height of the building to pay for the school below.
“Sometimes we make what even I would agree is an obscene amount of money on certain projects,” Mr. Walentas said. “I think this project is the antithesis of that.”
Thanks to BHB contributor T.K. Small for pointing this piece out to us.
Dock Street Drama
((City Councilmen l>r Simcha Felder, counsel, Tony Avella, and Eric Gioia listen to testimony for and against the proposed Dock Street development project in DUMBO)) (BHB/Sarah Portlock)
The City Council zoning and franchises committee hearing about Dock Street lasted five hours today, with three hours of public testimony and two of the council members grilling the School Construction Authority and developers about the plan.
The hearing marked the beginning of the end for the project, a proposed 17-story residential tower and 43,000-square-foot middle school on Dock Street in DUMBO by Two Trees Management.
The public testimony portion was a rehashing of many of the same arguments already presented for and against the project, but the real drama came during a discussion of the project’s promised school. We have video footage of what went down, and will post it ASAP.
(Update: Here‘s the Brooklyn Paper’s take on the hearing)
City Council Hearing Dock Street Arguments Today
BHB’s Sarah Portlock is on the scene today at the New York City Council Land Use Committee hearing on the Dock Street DUMBO project.
Curbed posts a fascinating “open letter” from Jed Walentas to the celebrity opponents of the project. It cites “an independent investigation by the Brooklyn Paper” which found “no substantial impact” on public views of the bridge. Take that, celebrities!
Councilman Yassky’s fierce press machine sent us this quotsky from the meeting:
“The Dock Street proposal would fundamentally alter the enriching experience of the millions of visitors and New Yorkers who come to enjoy one of our nation’s greatest landmarks – the Brooklyn Bridge,” Council Member Yassky said. “Absent a truly diligent site search by the School Construction Authority, Brooklynites are being presented with a false choice between a much-needed school for Downtown Brooklyn and a disastrous development project. Given this moment of economic uncertainty, I urge the Council Land Use Committee to reject this proposal.”
The DUMBO Neighborhood Association press juggernaut has serviced a few clever bon mots from opponents including this from filmmaker Ken Burns that was “entered into the record”:
“In unexpected and wonderful ways, the Brooklyn Bridge captures the essence of the human spirit and it has become an enduring symbol in American culture of strength, vitality, ingenuity and promise. Especially in times like these, NOTHING, literally, should get in the way of that beautiful work of art.”
DEVELOPING….
Yassky on Dock Street’s 11th Hour
On the eve of the City Council’s public hearing about the Dock Street DUMBO development project (Thursday at 10 am at City Hall), we asked Councilman David Yassky what he’s doing to rally support against the project and how he’d feel if the city council voted for the project.
“I think my arguments are getting some traction. I don’t know how hard the administration will lobby for it, but I or a member of my staff has called every single office and said, ‘I’m opposed and here’s why.’ We’ve sent a copy of [Brooklyn Bridge historian] David McCullough’s statement.”
This week’s community meetings
(BHB/Sarah Portlock)
It’s a big week for local government!
First and foremost, the New Kings Democrats will host its debate for the 33rd district city council race in Williamsburg tonight at 7 pm, at Harry Van Arsdale High School Auditorium (257 North 6th St. at Havemeyer Street). All seven candidates have promised to show up, and North Brooklyn reporter/blogger Aaron Short is asking the tough questions to keep things lively.
On Thursday, the City Council will hold its public hearing for Dock Street at 10 am at City Hall. Here’s a link to the full agenda.
Ana Ortiz Speaks Out Against Dock Street DUMBO
Ugly Betty star and Brooklyn Heights resident Ana Ortiz has come out against Dock Street DUMBO according to a press release from the DUMBO Neighborhood Association:
“I am a native New Yorker, born and raised in this magical city of ours,” states Ortiz. “Little by little, we watch as what is wonderful and unique about the city is paved over and homogenized. We all need to stop that from happening here, with Dock Street, and preserve something so beautiful to create a great and important legacy of your own.”
The DNA press release claims that Ortiz lives in DUMBO. Recent reports confirm that. Last year, she identified herself as a Brooklyn Heights resident in interviews published by the NY Daily News and People Magazine.
Roebling Descendant Lends Voice to Dock Street Opposition
According to information received from the DUMBO Neighborhood Alliance, Kristian Roebling, a Brooklyn resident and descendant of John Roebling, designer of the Brooklyn Bridge, and of Washington and Emily Roebling, who supervised the Bridge’s construction, has joined historian David McCullogh and others in opposing Two Trees Development’s proposed Dock Street project, which would place a seventeen story building adjacent to the north side of the Bridge’s Brooklyn ramp. DNA’s press release quotes Roebling: Continue Reading →
Two Trees Snail Mail Spam
Click for full sized version. WARNING: It's a large file.
A tipster sent us this unsolicited letter they received today, from Two Trees Management, asking for support for their Dock Street Dumbo plan. Yelling “IT’S NOW OR NEVER FOR A NEW MIDDLE SCHOOL IN DUMBO AND OUR NEIGHBORHOOD’S FIRST EVER AFFORDABLE HOUSING!”, they ask the recipient to contact David Yassky immediately, and attend a hearing hosted by the NYC Council Subcommittee on Zoning & Franchises on Thursday, May 14th at 11am.
Sound intriguing? Would you like to subscribe to their newsletter? Contact Nora Mattingly at 718-222-2500 or at nmattingly@twotrees-dumbo.com.
Anyone else out there receive this mailing?
Dock Street opponents rally at City Hall
(BHB/Sarah Portlock)
Dock Street opponents took the steps of City Hall today, and brought out their biggest gun — Brooklyn Bridge historian David McCullough — to rally for the cause.
McCullough, who published a column in this week’s Newsweek explaining his views against the controversial proposed Dock Street project, said on Tuesday that the bridge should be left alone.
“We wouldn’t let a 17- or 18-story building go up next to the Washington Monument or the Statue of Liberty — of course not,” he said. “The bridge should be preserved, protected, and respected.”
BHA to Members: Mobilize Against Dock Street DUMBO
The Brooklyn Heights Association sent out an email blast to its membership on Friday urging members to speak out against Two Trees’ Dock Street DUMBO project. In the email, the BHA points to historian David McCullough’s Newsweek article “Paving Over History” as “inspiration” to urge City Council members to vote against the plan.
The BHA’s full email after the jump. Continue Reading →
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