Dock Street Dumbo Opposition Rally at City Hall

April 29th, 2009


(Photo Credit: William Alatriste on Flickr)

A group of elected officials, historic preservationists, neighborhood associations, and residents went to the City Hall yesterday to protest the Dock Street Dumbo development near the Brooklyn Bridge. The proposed property is not located in a historic district, sandwiched between the Fulton Ferry Historic District and the Dumbo Historic District, but historic preservationists say the proposed tower will crowd the historic Brooklyn Bridge, the Tobacco Warehouse and Empire Stores. According to a story published by the Brooklyn Daily Eagle, the common arguments against the Two Trees plan were:

  • That it would ruin the view of and from the Brooklyn Bridge;
  • That the bridge is a historic monument that shouldn’t be compromised;
  • That the School Construction Authority hasn’t seriously investigated other sites for the much-needed school;
  • That Two Trees has allegedly used the power of money to lobby and influence public officials;
  • and that This administration shouldn’t be responsible for making a decision that will be regretted for generations.

David McCullough, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Great Bridge spoke at the rally as well as actor Skipp Sudduth, a Dumbo resident who said that “We all own the Brooklyn Bridge, not just Brooklyn, not just the city, but the entire country … The developer [Two Trees] has spent years trying to influence people.” The Brooklyn Eagle article pointed out that:

“Toward the end of the rally, a representative of Two Trees Management distributed material challenging many of the points made by the opponents of Dock Street Dumbo. The developer says that hundreds of local parents and residents have pledged their support; that the project is actually in scale with existing high-rise DUMBO buildings such as the Gair Building and One Main St.; and that the “the bulk of the building is concentrated to the east of the project site, away from the bridge and its view corridors.””

Also the New York City Council posted a photo set on Flickr of the event.

Filed in Brooklyn Bridge, Celebrities, Dock Street, Dumbo Residents, Dumbo in Media at 12:00 am
View Comments
  • Carlo Trigiani
    I am supporter of public education and in the case of this reasonable development, a supporter of the proposed Dock Street project. I encourage all supporters to contact their city council representatives and ask for the school in writing.

    Thanks.
  • Publius
    Since the School Construction Authority scandal has been exposed, it's clear that Two Trees and elements of our city government have been colluding together to prevent a proper due diligence of all possible sites for a middle school in District 13.

    Why would Yassky want to participate in this type of governmental corruption?

    The majority of his constituents don't want Dock St. DUMBO to diminish the Brooklyn Bridge, and there are other, more preferable sites together to build a proper school with more than 9 classrooms.

    Since you're such as big Two Trees supporter, Carlo, and have allowed your name and quotes to be used in their paid newspaper print advertising, why don't you leverage that relationship with the developer to draft a binding letter of agreement with serious penalties for non-performance. Since you're such a strong advocate for the zoning change, you do it.
  • Carlo Trigiani
    Yassky claims to be a public servant and pro education. If so, he should get the TT commitment in writing for the good of the public.

    Sincerely.
  • No2Walentas2Trees
    DaVoyager-

    "I think the 35k sq ft area will be deeded to the city on contract. If the city does not own the space the contract is not signed and the building is not built. This is how it was presented to me as a member of the community. I argued for 40k sq ft and roof area for labs and experiments. People said: we can think about that. Anyway it is up to Yassky, Markowitz and others to ensure we have legally binding agreements. During the Giuliani years they would have built The Office of Emergency Preparedness there; I’m hoping Mayor Mike will build a school there."

    Presented to you? Well that is not how it was presented to the decision makers.

    Hoping Mayor Mike?

    After wailing about the Gowanus Canal, I wouldn't put much faith on Mayor Mike.

    It is time Mayor Mike goes back home to Boston.
  • dumbostreets
    At least negotiate instead of accept W's plan (more or less) at face value. As much as supporters may roll their eyes at opponents, it is scrutiny over the site that lead this plan to be amended with a school in the first place.

    40k sq ft for a school, 17-18 stories, whatever...
    Where are these numbers coming from???? Why can't it be 60k sq ft for a school and 8,6 or even 4 stories??

    Has anyone actually looked at the kind of return W is trying to make? I simple do not believe that the building needs such bulk to make an excellent return... Can a supporter demonstrate otherwise ?
  • davoyager
    I think the 35k sq ft area will be deeded to the city on contract. If the city does not own the space the contract is not signed and the building is not built. This is how it was presented to me as a member of the community. I argued for 40k sq ft and roof area for labs and experiments. People said: we can think about that. Anyway it is up to Yassky, Markowitz and others to ensure we have legally binding agreements. During the Giuliani years they would have built The Office of Emergency Preparedness there; I'm hoping Mayor Mike will build a school there.
  • Publius
    DuhVoyager:

    The only one "sabataging" anyting is your boy Jeb & Co. and his smokey backroom scandal with the heavily lobbied SCA officials.

    And let's not neglect today's Scandal Du Jour--the "donations" made to City Councilmembers from Two Trees "employees" to skirt political contribution laws. So corrupt, so shameful, and possibly illegal.

    $29,300 to Councilwoman Katz, and $19,800 to Councilspeaker Quinn. See NY Post article: http://tinyurl.com/djt5h8

    This needs to be vigorously prosecuted. I call on the DA (not Voyager), to investigate these cynical circumventions of political contribution laws.

    Rational people applaud Yassky's work to uncover the active sabatage that Jeb, his lobbyists, and the SCA have done against the community and their attempt to "put the fix in."

    This project should be rejected on that basis alone.

    But of course, there are many other reasons--including:

    --over 10,000 people stating they reject it.
    --the majority of speakers at the various public hearings have been against the project.
    --the lack of anything binding in writing from the developer (much like Toll Bros in Gowanus, who when pressed for a binding agreement backed off). You'd think that if anyone at the SCA, while in bed with Two Trees in the smokey back room had a brain in the collective head, they would have asked for guarantees in writing.

    The process is corrupt. Thank you David Yassky for again showing NYC how $$$ controls our political process.
  • davoyager
    There's Yassky front and center failing our community again with his record of lip service to the cause of public education and absolutely zero accomplishments. The wunderkind golden boy has brought us nothing but bad ideas on this issue and now stands in irrational opposition to the best chance we've had in years to address the historic lack of public middle school choice in his district. Instead of sabotaging this opportunity his energy would be better spent in securing iron clad contracts to hold this developer to his promises.
  • Anon, corrected. Skipp's name is incorrect in the Brooklyn Daily Eagle article.
  • Anon
    Skip Sutter?...C'mon guys! A local celebrity is standing up for what's good for the community and all who visit. Let's get his name right.
  • dumbostreets
    I frequently walk over the bridge and there is no doubt this would compromise the view and crowd the bridge.

    The structure, as designed, essentially wraps around the walkway, starting underneath it, running along beside it, and then towering over it.

    Can't the city swap lots with Walentas somewhere ? Surely there is a deal that would make both sides happy.
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