Amidst Lingering Controversy, BBP Construction to Begin
Construction on Brooklyn Bridge Park is likely to begin next month, according to an article in today’s Daily News, and the first phase of the project will involve the demolition of the landmark Department of Purchase building. “It’s further evidence that the [ESDC] cares so little about what the community thinks,” said Judi Francis, president…
Construction on Brooklyn Bridge Park is likely to begin next month, according to an article in today’s Daily News, and the first phase of the project will involve the demolition of the landmark Department of Purchase building. “It’s further evidence that the [ESDC] cares so little about what the community thinks,” said Judi Francis, president of the Brooklyn Bridge Park Defense Fund. “All parties, for and against the project, have wanted to preserve it because it’s a landmark.” Others, however, have argued the building needed to come down because it would interrupt the park’s continuity, and the LPC approved its demolition last year. Meanwhile, some neighborhood watchdogs are concerned about other aspects of the project as it gets off the ground: “I’m happy that the process is moving forward, but I hope there is a comprehensive plan for financing the park,” said BBP critic Roy Sloane.
New Waterfront Park Coming Soon [NY Daily News]
Brooklyn Bridge Park Meeting: The Morning After [Brownstoner]
Brooklyn Bridge Park: Your Input, Please [Brownstoner]
Thank goodness for the Historic District Council that has long protected historic buildings throughout the city. They helped champion landmark districts, and create them, like DUMBO. And if they think, which they do, that the Purchase Building is good and should be kept and reused for the park, it should. Dumbo residents should be grateful and should work to protect the other structures designated to be demo-ed for this residential complex – the Cold Storage buildings are also endangered in this non-park. Let’s reuse these buildings for an honest to goodness park. We sure do need indoor recreation. We don’t need more luxury housing. It is a damn shame what has happened to our park.
I can’t say I feel too much attachment to that building. The photo above paints it nicer than it actually appears up close and in person… it is sort of an early/mid century utilitarian number shoved under the bridge. It impedes a line of sight from the park to the water… although I guess if the ugly astroturf fences were removed and people could at least walk directly around it from the park to the landing it wouldn’t be as obtrusive as it is now.
That said I am surprised about all the other crap residing under the area bridges that could be removed or relocated to improve the vibe of the neighborhood. The manhattan bridge has a bunch of city equipment shoved under it and fenced off, and a huge, ugly one-story city iron workshop of some sort. Why not also consider clearing all that mess out for better views of the historic bridge and better public spaces and foot traffic flow in the area??? Just opening up the arch that divides Water Street would make for a beautiful walk and continuation of the recent public plaza addition…
I like what they did in that new Will Smith movie – really opens up the views from DUMBO across to south st. seaport, where that pesky middle of the span had been blocking the view before.
Judy Francis would have been a favorite of Stalin. Until of course one day he would have gotten suspicious of her and had her murdered in one of his purges.
8:24 I agree with you.
The prior posting (7:39) is perhaps the most asinine run-on sentence I have ever read on this blog and that includes things written by “the What”.
The most Soviet style thing I detect is the “big lie” crafted and repeated ad nauseum by Judy francis and her little gang of four or whatever. Lying to people and crafting propaganda is the old Soviet style, building new parks and funding their maintenance by PILOT funds is extremely un-Soviet, it is actually smart new thinking.
Can we give out a trophy for that one? That is quite possibly the most asinine, and completely unrelated, comment of the day. Kudos to you!!
…and anyone who thinks state-forced private housing in public parks is a good thing should move to a soviet-styled state where they can be told when to eat and when to do all other bodily things, too. no doubt comforting for them.
Anyone who is willing to contest what will be an amazing 85 acre PUBLIC park, with or without housing included, needs a good beat down.
Dear demolition crew,
Block the view of the bridge? The bridge is 100 feet above! The bridge blocks the waterview if that’s what’s so goddam pprecious to you. Plus the Parks Department is going to put something in its place. Plus things fall from the bridge ALL THE TIME.
Talk about something you know.
xoxo
Preservation Girl