Markowitz In Support of Dock St Dumbo Project

[UPDATE 2: The BP office has released a statement “recommending that the City Planning Commission and the City Council support the concept of residential, retail and parking at this site as proposed by Two Trees Management—however, I reject the building as currently configured and seek modifications based on certain conditions.” Read full release in PDF format.]

[UPDATE 1: The Brooklyn President’s office contacted us to make the correction that Mr. Markowitz’s recommendation is not necessarily to build higher, but as of right, Two Trees can build up to 25 stories on the site (though CB2’s stated previously that “As of right they can only build a 2-story building on the entire sight, 4 stories on half, 8 stories on a quarter, etc.”). Mr. Markowitz is speaking from the concern for the iconic views from the Brooklyn Bridge, and proposes that the developer narrow the building, which in effect will improve the views and increase the height of the building if the square footage is maintained. Also, the BP office is considering the school issue a separate issue outside of the zoning proposal. We will be receiving an official statement from the Brooklyn President’s office in the next few days.]


The NY Times has reported today that Marty Markowitz, the Brooklyn borough president has decided to support the Dock Street Dumbo project, after reassuring some opposition groups that he will ‘lean towards’ his decision to reject the proposal that was submitted in 2004 but will consider all the options. This is a big boost for Two Trees Management. However, his views are advisory only and the proposal goes before the City Planning Commission.

According to the NY Times City Room blog posting, Mr. Markowitz wrote to the Department of City Planning in support of the proposed tower and suggested to Two Trees Management that the tower be made taller, 25 stories instead of 18, and more slender.

“He also asked the developer to move the building, which is bordered by Dock, Front and Water Streets, about 70 feet farther away from Front Street. He also urged that the developer cut two stories off a nine-story wing of the building along Water Street. Those measures, Mr. Markowitz asserted, will protect views of the bridge.

“The views of the iconic and, I think, the world’s most celebrated bridge must be preserved,” Mr. Markowitz said in an interview. “There will be those that will celebrate this and there will be those that obviously have other views.”

This comes after Councilwoman Letitia James’ statement yesterday on her blog that a private-public partnership of Dock St Dumbo is a ‘no brainer’. The Dumbo Neighborhood Association, which opposes the proposal is shocked at the decision made by Mr. Markowitz and stated “We have never seen a politician change so dramatically from a promise he made to the community. We now get a 25 story tower, a 500 car garage [ed: BP Office will confirm this], and no school [ed: see above update].”

The City Planning Commission hearing on the proposed Two Trees Dock Street development will take place next Wednesday, March 4, 2009 at 12pm at 22 Reade Street, NYC. (See page 159 of the hearing schedule (PDF)). Is Marty’s decision shocking or expected?

48 Comment

  • Funny how a guy who claims to represent Brooklyn always manages to sell out to the developers. Whether endorsing Two Trees horrid proposal to destroy a neighborhood and overshadow the Brooklyn Bridge or Ratner’s equally horrid Atlantic Yards fiasco, he’s an embarrassment. Shame on you Marty.

  • Funny how a guy who claims to represent Brooklyn always manages to sell out to the developers. Whether endorsing Two Trees horrid proposal to destroy a neighborhood and overshadow the Brooklyn Bridge or Ratner’s equally horrid Atlantic Yards fiasco, he’s an embarrassment. Shame on you Marty.

  • Marty Markowitz sells the Brooklyn Bridge.

  • Marty Markowitz sells the Brooklyn Bridge.

  • Markowitz, you suck.

  • Markowitz, you suck.

  • Marty will be sorry when election day arrives. Remember Martin Connor’s fate.

  • Marty will be sorry when election day arrives. Remember Martin Connor’s fate.

  • What a loser Marty has turned out to be.
    To think that I actually once liked this guy.

    Build it taller but slimmer?
    25 Stories beside the Brooklyn Bridge, adjacent to the elevated/suspended span?

    The Verizon building is adjacent to the ENTRANCE RAMP on the NYC side. It is so much further back than this building will be.

    A horrific mistake that can never be fixed once that thing goes up.

  • What a loser Marty has turned out to be.
    To think that I actually once liked this guy.

    Build it taller but slimmer?
    25 Stories beside the Brooklyn Bridge, adjacent to the elevated/suspended span?

    The Verizon building is adjacent to the ENTRANCE RAMP on the NYC side. It is so much further back than this building will be.

    A horrific mistake that can never be fixed once that thing goes up.

  • The rest of Brooklyn is for development “downtown”. Hardly anybody cares what a bunch of limp wristed whiners living by the river worried about “The View” think. Same with the Atlantic Yards. Having a national team of any kind makes old Dodger fans wet. It is inevitable.

  • The rest of Brooklyn is for development “downtown”. Hardly anybody cares what a bunch of limp wristed whiners living by the river worried about “The View” think. Same with the Atlantic Yards. Having a national team of any kind makes old Dodger fans wet. It is inevitable.

  • Marty you sleazebag

  • Marty you sleazebag

  • You heard it here first. The building as recommended by Marty Markowitz will never be built. At 250′, it will block some lower Manhattan skyline views from the Clocktower penthouse.

  • You heard it here first. The building as recommended by Marty Markowitz will never be built. At 250′, it will block some lower Manhattan skyline views from the Clocktower penthouse.

  • hilarious. the movement did such a great job that they’re getting an even bigger building now.

  • hilarious. the movement did such a great job that they’re getting an even bigger building now.

  • Pingback: DUMBO Dock Street Project Update - Brooklyn Borough President Says Yes . . . But « The ‘Not-So-Rough’ Guide

  • Pingback: DUMBO Dock Street Project Update - Brooklyn Borough President Says Yes . . . But « The ‘Not-So-Rough’ Guide

  • This outcome is neatly explained in two words: lobbyist money.

  • This outcome is neatly explained in two words: lobbyist money.

  • Lobbyist money? All Two Trees had to do was tell Marty that his darling wife could have dibs on any unclaimed gift bags from the next benefit and take home all the leftover half-eaten trays of baked ziti and chicken marsala from the topping party…

  • Lobbyist money? All Two Trees had to do was tell Marty that his darling wife could have dibs on any unclaimed gift bags from the next benefit and take home all the leftover half-eaten trays of baked ziti and chicken marsala from the topping party…

  • Bravo Marty, putting Brooklyn’s good ahead of narrow self interest.
    I think there should be a school included in every high rise development.
    This perfectly reasonable project dwarfed by Trump or Rattner and many others has faced an irrational opposition.
    I have walked over that wonderful bridge on more days than many in the opposition have lived in this neighborhood and in my opinion the building as planned improves the view rather than damages it.
    Seriously, let’s hope they secure the finances and actually get to build this thing during this ongoing economic disaster. We need this school and more. We need more green buildings built so old polluting inefficient buildings can be replaced. We need affordable housing. We need the jobs.
    A great decision deeply considered. Well done Marty.

  • Bravo Marty, putting Brooklyn’s good ahead of narrow self interest.
    I think there should be a school included in every high rise development.
    This perfectly reasonable project dwarfed by Trump or Rattner and many others has faced an irrational opposition.
    I have walked over that wonderful bridge on more days than many in the opposition have lived in this neighborhood and in my opinion the building as planned improves the view rather than damages it.
    Seriously, let’s hope they secure the finances and actually get to build this thing during this ongoing economic disaster. We need this school and more. We need more green buildings built so old polluting inefficient buildings can be replaced. We need affordable housing. We need the jobs.
    A great decision deeply considered. Well done Marty.

  • Nice cut and paste dude.

  • Nice cut and paste dude.

  • oh u mean I quoted myself? Thank you for noticing.
    I’m proud of what I said. Would u like a signed copy?

  • oh u mean I quoted myself? Thank you for noticing.
    I’m proud of what I said. Would u like a signed copy?

  • A big thanks to Marty for his support. His suggestions have merit and should be seriously considered. In the end, this will be a positive for DUMBO and the bordering communities.

    Sincerely,

    Carlo Trigiani

  • A big thanks to Marty for his support. His suggestions have merit and should be seriously considered. In the end, this will be a positive for DUMBO and the bordering communities.

    Sincerely,

    Carlo Trigiani

  • Why is everyone misconstruing Marty’s recommendation to be great news for Dock Street DUMBO and Two Trees? His letter basically says he supports the concept of having something built on the site (including residential, retail and parking), but rejects the building that Two Trees has proposed. He wants it reduced by 35,000 square feet and reconfigured to preserve public views and respect the open “bowl” effect around the Brooklyn Bridge anchorage.

  • Why is everyone misconstruing Marty’s recommendation to be great news for Dock Street DUMBO and Two Trees? His letter basically says he supports the concept of having something built on the site (including residential, retail and parking), but rejects the building that Two Trees has proposed. He wants it reduced by 35,000 square feet and reconfigured to preserve public views and respect the open “bowl” effect around the Brooklyn Bridge anchorage.

  • Again King Marty Markowitz is only watching out for his own best interests & his own ass. He doesn’t want to spoil HIS VIEW of the Brooklyn Bridge. If he was so interested in the peoples viewpoint why isn’t he concerned about the view of the residents of Seaside Park where he wants to build a 110 foot Potato Chip ” Marty Markowitz Amphitheater” in the only open space Park in Brighton Beach& ruin their view of the Ocean & the Park? He’s a self serving, self centered political hack. Why we in Brooklyn can’t get a another pol to run against Marty is beyond me. Why are so many people intimidated by him? Brooklyn WE Can Do Better ! Dump Markowitz in 2009… look for the bumper stickers.

  • Again King Marty Markowitz is only watching out for his own best interests & his own ass. He doesn’t want to spoil HIS VIEW of the Brooklyn Bridge. If he was so interested in the peoples viewpoint why isn’t he concerned about the view of the residents of Seaside Park where he wants to build a 110 foot Potato Chip ” Marty Markowitz Amphitheater” in the only open space Park in Brighton Beach& ruin their view of the Ocean & the Park? He’s a self serving, self centered political hack. Why we in Brooklyn can’t get a another pol to run against Marty is beyond me. Why are so many people intimidated by him? Brooklyn WE Can Do Better ! Dump Markowitz in 2009… look for the bumper stickers.

  • who cares anyway. it’s just a “recommendation.”

  • who cares anyway. it’s just a “recommendation.”

  • Shame on you Marty, when I hear you speak with such pride re our new president and “change is here”, well if this is the type of change we are going to be seeing, gives me very little faith in our public officials. You have lost a tremendous amount of respect, from fellow Brooklynites. Call me naive, but how can you flip so quick from 2004, when you rejected the first plan, charging it was out of context with its surroundings, and then suggest a 25 story tower. I do not accept the “as of right” claim more like “as of right cop out”. Not only are you supporting the rezoning, you are not requiring Two Trees to include the middle school, only the affordable housing so they can house more staff members families and friends.. it just makes the whole process a total farce

  • Shame on you Marty, when I hear you speak with such pride re our new president and “change is here”, well if this is the type of change we are going to be seeing, gives me very little faith in our public officials. You have lost a tremendous amount of respect, from fellow Brooklynites. Call me naive, but how can you flip so quick from 2004, when you rejected the first plan, charging it was out of context with its surroundings, and then suggest a 25 story tower. I do not accept the “as of right” claim more like “as of right cop out”. Not only are you supporting the rezoning, you are not requiring Two Trees to include the middle school, only the affordable housing so they can house more staff members families and friends.. it just makes the whole process a total farce

  • the best thing that will come of this building getting built is an end to this intrusive, smear spewing, conspiracy theory ridden campaign of selfishness. this group is so blinded by its own thick headedness that they can’t bear to consider that they’re failing b/c their desires are not shared by a reasonable thinking majority. for the love of god, take a breath, and listen to yourselves. you’re an embarassment to the boro. the building is getting built b/c it makes sense, and you’re failing b/c you don’t.

  • the best thing that will come of this building getting built is an end to this intrusive, smear spewing, conspiracy theory ridden campaign of selfishness. this group is so blinded by its own thick headedness that they can’t bear to consider that they’re failing b/c their desires are not shared by a reasonable thinking majority. for the love of god, take a breath, and listen to yourselves. you’re an embarassment to the boro. the building is getting built b/c it makes sense, and you’re failing b/c you don’t.

  • +1 Brooklynlove. Especially that last line.

  • +1 Brooklynlove. Especially that last line.

  • Pingback: Dumbo NYC, Brooklyn » Archive » Reminder: City Planning Hearing for Dock Street Today (DumboNYC.com)

  • Pingback: Dumbo NYC, Brooklyn » Archive » Reminder: City Planning Hearing for Dock Street Today (DumboNYC.com)

  • Meh- I think Marty is playing chess with all you pawns.

    Once more time we learn that voting is for suckers.

    But this building will never get built. Watch and see. The economy is in the tank and the corporations are still behaving like they always do. Greedy, corrupt and without any regard for what the community wants except ‘what is your credit card number?’

    You think you will get ‘affordable housing’ DREAM ON

    You think you will get a School?
    DREAM ON

    and perhaps if you click your feet together and say ‘there’s no place like home’ you will be transported to the perfect utopia.

  • Meh- I think Marty is playing chess with all you pawns.

    Once more time we learn that voting is for suckers.

    But this building will never get built. Watch and see. The economy is in the tank and the corporations are still behaving like they always do. Greedy, corrupt and without any regard for what the community wants except ‘what is your credit card number?’

    You think you will get ‘affordable housing’ DREAM ON

    You think you will get a School?
    DREAM ON

    and perhaps if you click your feet together and say ‘there’s no place like home’ you will be transported to the perfect utopia.