A few of the approx. 70 buildings in proposed Historic District (Photos: DumboNYC.com)

Simeon Bankoff of the Historic Districts Council reported that the public hearing at the Landmarks Preservation Commission yesterday went “astonishingly well” where over 30 people spoke in favor of landmarking Dumbo as a Historic District, including Jed Walentas, owner and real estate developer of Two Trees Management. Mr. Bankoff writes in the HDC blog:

“…Two representatives of a property owner of seven buildings requested that his buildings be designated as “no style” or “non-contributing” in the designation report that they could be redeveloped appropriately. HDC spoke after them and requested that if LPC was going to do that, they should be serious about their role in design review and also designate the parking lots and vacant lots next to the district to help guide appropriate development there. LPC is is keeping the record open for a week, but it feels like the designation is definitely fast-tracked.”

Although Mr. Walentas supports landmark designation, according to an article by Brooklyn Daily Eagle, other real estate developers concede that landmarking is ‘inevitable’ but also want upzoning to allow for highrise development outside of the Historic District boundary.

We asked Mr. Bankoff what he thinks his expected timeframe for a vote. “Usually it takes months and months…but I have a strong feeling that this will happen by the end of the year – then we’ll have City Planning and City Council so if LPC acts by Dec 31 (which I really think it will), it will be completed by March 2008.” Looks like a Dumbo is on the fast track to becoming a Historic District.

{Report from the LPC DUMBO hearing, 30Oct07, Historic Districts Council Newsstand}
{DUMBO Developers Say Landmarking Is ‘Inevitable,’ But Also Want Upzoning, 30Oct07, Brooklyn Daily Eagle}