Small Protest Over Glassy PLG Tower
Hawthorne Street has an item on a protest held this weekend over a developer’s plan to build a 20-story tower in Prospect Lefferts Gardens. The blog takes a dim view of the proceedings, saying that while protesters claim they’re against the tower because it might increase rents in the neighborhood, their main concern with the…
Hawthorne Street has an item on a protest held this weekend over a developer’s plan to build a 20-story tower in Prospect Lefferts Gardens. The blog takes a dim view of the proceedings, saying that while protesters claim they’re against the tower because it might increase rents in the neighborhood, their main concern with the development is actually its height: “The real objective behind the formation of CRGPLG seems to be stopping a tall building from going up near Lefferts Manor. If that means shifting blame for the basic economics of supply and demand, exaggerated warnings about the coming avian holocaust, or stoking fears about gentrification, so be it. It may all be moot anyway. As the protest was going on, a backhoe was busily moving about the site.” Anyone on the ground in PLG who can tell us more about what neighbors are thinking about the tower?
Saturday’s Tower Protest Weak and Misguided [Hawthorne Street]
Glassy Tower Planned for PLG [Brownstoner]
“They conveniently ignore the fact there are two 17 story buildings only one block away from this building site. Nice, doorman buildings at that.”
Thats a joke, right?
Yes, the Patio Gardens buildings are 17-feet high but they certainly do not have doormen. We have a security booth that buzzes EVERYONE into the front gates and completely unlocked front doors on both buildings. There is no actual “security” nor is there a doorman. Residents cannot buzz guests in. Its rediculous and unsafe.
As for the new building, while I do think it is too high and hideous I will be pleased if it means more ammenities for residents of the neighborhood. Since we already have two groccery stores I’d personally prefer a gym or a restaurant on the ground floor.
I live right behind the building site, and have literally watched this decaying old building being disassembled brick-by-brick over the last 6 months or so, and the remaining detritus dozed away within the last two weeks. Understandably, I’m not super psyched about the noise coming from the site. Also, I’m concerned about the influx of commuters with whom I’ll be jockeying for space on the Q/B in the mornings; and, I think many of us are agreed that the design of the new building is… well, a little bit much for the neighborhood.
I think many of my neighbors share these sentiments, but we all tend to agree that the negatives are outweighed by the good which this building will bring to the neighborhood. More people will bring more money, will be a boon to businesses in the neighborhood, and will ultimately benefit everybody. It’s as simple as that.
And, I agree with 12:58 — it would be quite nice if residents did not treat Lincoln Road like a big trash can. Please put your chicken bones and other assorted refuse in a garbage pail, thank you very much. Perhaps the new building will help clean things up a bit. I’m not wealthy, and I’ll probably never be able to afford to live in this shiny new tower, but I certainly take pride in where I live.
I live a block away, and I am thrilled about this new building. It’s replacing a moldy, abandoned building. This is a huge improvement. Hopefully, there will be a great grocery or restaurant at street level.
the williamsburg bank building is out of context with its surroundings. victorian flatbush is out of context with its surroundings. prospect park is out of context with its surroundings.
This building is for the birds. NEXT!
This developer bought a piece of land on which he is building something that is fully within the zoning and yes, in context too, of this busy commercial street right next to a subway. He made a decision about the investment based on the knowledge he could develop the property in a certain way to recoup his investment and yes (the horror!) make a living at it too.
THAT is my biggest reason for defending this building. In my view, it’s not about what I want or think personally about a design. I can and would weigh in of course, but please, I’d never in a million years feel I had the right to halt construction of something based on my personal tastes. It’s so arrogant and meglomaniac to feel entitled to strip somebody of their private property rights. I really can’t grasp it. Well maybe because I’m not a socialist.
3:53, you are a moron, or a bitter renter, or both.
3:53,
I know these bloggers and although I sometimes disagree with Carrie and Charles, I’m absolutely certain that is NOT their motivation (and that your characterization of their intelligence is wrong).
No 11:24, most of the people protesting the building do not live in Lefferts Manor but outside the Manor in PLG. Almost all the Manor residents that have commented on this building on the blogs ave been in favor of replacing the old rat infested shell of a building. There has been one vocal opponent from the Manor but that person opposes everything.