Council Committee Approves Skyscraper District
Yesterday the the City Council’s landmarks subcommittee voted to approve the Borough Hall Skyscraper Historic District, which means the 21-building district is almost certain to be approved by the full Council. Councilman Brad Lander, who heads the subcommittee, and Councilman Stephen Levin, who represents the district, issued a joint statementmsaying “we believe that this new…
Yesterday the the City Council’s landmarks subcommittee voted to approve the Borough Hall Skyscraper Historic District, which means the 21-building district is almost certain to be approved by the full Council. Councilman Brad Lander, who heads the subcommittee, and Councilman Stephen Levin, who represents the district, issued a joint statementmsaying “we believe that this new historic district will strengthen the character of Downtown Brooklyn, allowing for new development and growth, like the new retail space planned for the Municipal Building, while preserving the graceful, historic, early-generation skyscrapers that make it Brooklyn’s civic center.” The district was controversial with landlords in the area, and the Real Estate Board of New York lobbied against its creation. City Room quotes from a mailing REBNY sent out that said, in part: “In these economic times, when every dollar counts, landmarking threatens to send Court Street back to the ‘bad old days’ of empty storefronts and dirty streets.” The full Council will vote on the district next week.
Council Panel Upholds a Historic Skyscraper District in Brooklyn [City Room]
Brooklyn Skyscraper District Moves Forward [WSJ]
Landmarks Grow in Brooklyn [NY Post]
….awaiting stargazer’s rebuttal that these are crappy buildings and that he hopes they all burn down.
….awaiting stargazer’s rebuttal that these are crappy buildings and that he hopes they all burn down.
I second Montrose’s comments. Bravo to Steve Levin in particular for not caving in to bullies. At a time when new highrises are sprouting up like weeds due to city planning’s Downtown upzoning, it is fitting that we landmark what is left of the historic skyline. This little grouping is really very unusual and significant to the Boro’s history. If these are not historic landmarks, I don’t know what are.
Fultonist, I doubt that is true but it did come to pass that it would be the tallest for many decades. It has only recently been surpassed by one of the bland condo towers to go up near Downtown. No real competition except in terms of feet and inches.