Two Trees and NYC School Construction Authority Formalize Agreement on Dock Street Dumbo


(Photo rendering of Dumbo middle school)

Two Trees Management, the developer of the proposed mixed-use Dock Street Dumbo building in Dumbo, Brooklyn, today announced the completion of an agreement with the NYC School Construction Authority (SCA) for the creation of a new, 300-seat public middle school at Dock Street Dumbo. This is a requirement for there to be a public school on this site. According to a press release, the “signed agreement legally formalizes the commitment made by Two Trees to area families, residents and elected officials during the land use approval process that the project would include the approx. 45,000 square foot school and that the developer would donate the cost of the construction of the school’s core and shell”.

In June 2009, City Council made the decision to approve the rezoning of the development project on Dock Street (between Front and Water Street) in Dumbo. The Dock Street project has been controversial when oppostion uncovered evidence of the School Construction Authority’s alleged corruption and argued that the 17 story building design was not contexual to its surroundings and will overshadow the Brooklyn Bridge. The press release references a pending lawsuit: “A construction schedule for Dock Street Dumbo has not yet been formalized, pending the resolution of a potential legal appeal. While a lawsuit by two Dumbo residents against the project was dismissed in October 2010 by a State Supreme Court judge, the plaintiffs have filed a notice of appeal and it unclear at this point whether they plan to follow up with the filing of the actual appeal.”

The McBrooklyn blog notes that the agreement has long been approved and budgeted for by the SCA, so why is this announced now? Is it related to the letter-writing campaign and petition started by P.S. 8’s PTA to extend their school through the 8th grade?

“Principal Seth Phillips is about a week away from turning in the required paperwork and support for a P.S. 8 middle school is building in the community.

Could this be the SCA’s way of killing P.S. 8’s expansion plans?

If so, SCA is wrong. P.S. 8 alone holds more than 500 kids. The Dock Street middle school — if it is ever built (note lawsuit appeals have not yet been heard) — would serve 300 kids coming from all over District 13. About 20 schools would be feeding into Dock Street middle school, not just P.S. 8.

Meanwhile, P.S. 8 kids have nowhere to go after they leave elementary school. It’s time for a P.S. 8 middle school.

Brooklyn Heights Blog notes that Two Trees hopes to “break ground at Dock Street by spring of 2012 and to have the school ready for use by the school year beginning in 2014.”

Press Release (PDF)
Prior posts on Dock Street

24 Comment

  • Ugh the building on the right belongs somewhere else not in Brooklyn! What an eye sore. The Police repair shop looks better.

  • Ugh the building on the right belongs somewhere else not in Brooklyn! What an eye sore. The Police repair shop looks better.

  • This building will be one that tourist will love to take pictures of as it blocks there view from the bridge. Oh, the memories!

  • This building will be one that tourist will love to take pictures of as it blocks there view from the bridge. Oh, the memories!

  • If that isn’t a big “F you” to all the families writing letters on behalf of PS 8, nothing is. Nice one Walentas.

  • If that isn’t a big “F you” to all the families writing letters on behalf of PS 8, nothing is. Nice one Walentas.

  • would this destroy the St Ann’s Warehouse? what else is impacted? seems like a stupid place for this building.

    • Yes.

      The development site for the Dock St project includes St Ann’s Warehouse, the parking garage, the lot next to the parking garage (which used to be the Zerega building) plus the building housing the Carousel. St Ann’s is expected to move to the Tobacco Warehouse space if/when the legal disputes get resolved in their favor. Unclear what happens to St. Ann’s if the TW space doesn’t become available to them.

      • And in oder to get the special zoning required to build this parcel 17 stories, Walentas bundled the Galapagos and Almondine buildings in with this parcel (across and down the street) to qualify for size requirements. Notwithstanding that these two buildings are landmarked and protected waterfront and not contiguous. This is why there is a suit, from what I understand, and rightly so.

        • Why does Walentas need to build this eyesore and destroy some of the charm of this community he helped create? What is wrong with him? Isn’t he rich enough? Or is it the insecurity and relentless need for ego stroking of a little man? I just don’t get it. I no longer defend him when his name comes up in discussions with my neighbors and fellow property owners. I just say he’s a wanker. I don’t care that he made a lot of people in this community rich with real estate. I think he’s a little wanker.

  • would this destroy the St Ann’s Warehouse? what else is impacted? seems like a stupid place for this building.

    • Yes.

      The development site for the Dock St project includes St Ann’s Warehouse, the parking garage, the lot next to the parking garage (which used to be the Zerega building) plus the building housing the Carousel. St Ann’s is expected to move to the Tobacco Warehouse space if/when the legal disputes get resolved in their favor. Unclear what happens to St. Ann’s if the TW space doesn’t become available to them.

      • And in oder to get the special zoning required to build this parcel 17 stories, Walentas bundled the Galapagos and Almondine buildings in with this parcel (across and down the street) to qualify for size requirements. Notwithstanding that these two buildings are landmarked and protected waterfront and not contiguous. This is why there is a suit, from what I understand, and rightly so.

        • Why does Walentas need to build this eyesore and destroy some of the charm of this community he helped create? What is wrong with him? Isn’t he rich enough? Or is it the insecurity and relentless need for ego stroking of a little man? I just don’t get it. I no longer defend him when his name comes up in discussions with my neighbors and fellow property owners. I just say he’s a wanker. I don’t care that he made a lot of people in this community rich with real estate. I think he’s a little wanker.

  • Are they still going to built this ugly, stupid thing? How can anyone in their right mind build in the current economic climate. But I guess the moron Walentas, like the Wall Street morons who have no clue, believe that people will magically become rich and buy their crap.

  • Are they still going to built this ugly, stupid thing? How can anyone in their right mind build in the current economic climate. But I guess the moron Walentas, like the Wall Street morons who have no clue, believe that people will magically become rich and buy their crap.

  • This is what its all about folks, Greed, profit for profit’s sake. Well perhaps someone should inform dumbass that if people have no money his ass will go broke from spending and throwing money down a whole. THIS IS WHY OWS exists.

  • This is what its all about folks, Greed, profit for profit’s sake. Well perhaps someone should inform dumbass that if people have no money his ass will go broke from spending and throwing money down a whole. THIS IS WHY OWS exists.

  • This building really is a travesty. It makes no sense and it is ugly. Why cant he just build a brink building that is the same size as st anns warehouse. There is an old saying in real estate…”always buy the house that looks like the rest of the neighborhood” This looks nothing like anything on water st. It is UGLY!! and he is Destroying an American Landmark!!! The whole city and country should be outraged. What a little greedy bastard Walentas is..

    I once had respect for the Man…

  • This building really is a travesty. It makes no sense and it is ugly. Why cant he just build a brink building that is the same size as st anns warehouse. There is an old saying in real estate…”always buy the house that looks like the rest of the neighborhood” This looks nothing like anything on water st. It is UGLY!! and he is Destroying an American Landmark!!! The whole city and country should be outraged. What a little greedy bastard Walentas is..

    I once had respect for the Man…

  • Can we Occupy two Trees? This building has to be Stopped!!

  • Can we Occupy two Trees? This building has to be Stopped!!