Eric N. Vitaliano of Federal District Court issued a ruling that essentially nullifies a set of decisions by the federal, state and city governments over the last several years that led to approval of a new home for the St. Ann’s Warehouse. Back in April, the judge ruled that the National Park Service (“NPS”) violated federal law by removing two historic landmarks from federally protected parkland. The new ruling essentially ends St. Ann’s chances of finding a home in Dumbo. The New York Times notes: Citing environmental protection and conservation law, Judge Vitaliano ruled that it was “crystal clear” the park service acted outside its authority by removing both the Tobacco Warehouse and Empire Stores, another waterfront structure in Dumbo, from classification as federally designated parkland.
This is a sad decision for St. Ann’s Warehouse, Dumbo, and its supporters who enjoy one of the most innovative programming in theatre.
(Photo from Museum of the City of NY. The Tobacco Inspection Warehouse (right), the skeletal structure of the Department of Purchase Storehouse, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the Manhattan skyline beyond. by Berenice Abbott.)
Previously on DumboNYC:
{Tobacco Warehouse Transfer Broke the Law, Says Judge, 18Apr2011}
{St. Ann’s Warehouse Given The Go at Tobacco Warehouse, 16Feb2011}
{Neighborhood Associations Sue to Stop Development of Tobacco Warehouse, 19Jan2011}
{Why Did NY State Parks Claim That Tobacco Warehouse is Not Used for Public Recreation?, 12Jan2011}
{Tobacco Warehouse, 17Apr2009}
The court decision didn’t force St. Ann’s warehouse to move. Two Trees kicking out St. Ann’s (again) is the reason why St. Ann’s has to move. How about we stop allowing Two Trees to use Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park as their personal playground? Isn’t it bad enough they didn’t want to give space for their own personal merry go-round and grabbed that from the park? Once again, Two Trees is attempting to disguise their naked land grab as a “gift”
The court decision didn’t force St. Ann’s warehouse to move. Two Trees kicking out St. Ann’s (again) is the reason why St. Ann’s has to move. How about we stop allowing Two Trees to use Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park as their personal playground? Isn’t it bad enough they didn’t want to give space for their own personal merry go-round and grabbed that from the park? Once again, Two Trees is attempting to disguise their naked land grab as a “gift”
This has little to do with Two Trees. Yes, St Anns has to move because of their dreadful and dreaded Dock Street building. And yes, the carousel is an eyesore and a blight on the park. But this was about something else – it was a mugging by BHA and their stooges at FFLA, who want to control the zoning process throughout the Brooklyn Bridge Park corridor so that they can keep undesireables from coming up the hill and into the BBP. Remember how they fought access to the Park? Really, why else would BHA care about what happens in the Tobacco Warehouse? And why on earth did FFLA follow them like little puppies? While FFLA plays their political game to build some cred (with whom, exactly?) and win a narrow legal process for zoning the Park, the endgame is that the space will be used for low art (like last weekend’s hip hop festival), weddings and fundraisers, and other culturally empty happenings. It is sad to think what might have been in that space had there been a bit of problem-solving instead of childish kabuki politics (see, for example, the Manhattanville Project solution after the state’s high court struck down Columbia’s eminent domain petition). And where was DNA In all this? They disappeared like Obama in a budget negotiation. It’s all sad. When St Anns leaves, we can all say “there goes the neighborhood.”
I am not a stooge, but you sir or madam, are a whack job.
I am not a stooge, but you sir or madam, are a whack job.
This has little to do with Two Trees. Yes, St Anns has to move because of their dreadful and dreaded Dock Street building. And yes, the carousel is an eyesore and a blight on the park. But this was about something else – it was a mugging by BHA and their stooges at FFLA, who want to control the zoning process throughout the Brooklyn Bridge Park corridor so that they can keep undesireables from coming up the hill and into the BBP. Remember how they fought access to the Park? Really, why else would BHA care about what happens in the Tobacco Warehouse? And why on earth did FFLA follow them like little puppies? While FFLA plays their political game to build some cred (with whom, exactly?) and win a narrow legal process for zoning the Park, the endgame is that the space will be used for low art (like last weekend’s hip hop festival), weddings and fundraisers, and other culturally empty happenings. It is sad to think what might have been in that space had there been a bit of problem-solving instead of childish kabuki politics (see, for example, the Manhattanville Project solution after the state’s high court struck down Columbia’s eminent domain petition). And where was DNA In all this? They disappeared like Obama in a budget negotiation. It’s all sad. When St Anns leaves, we can all say “there goes the neighborhood.”
I am not a stooge, but you sir or madam, are a whack job.
I am not a stooge, but you sir or madam, are a whack job.
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