Saving ‘Domino Sugar’ Sign Under Discussion
By Linda Collins
Brooklyn Daily Eagle
WILLIAMSBURG — “Higher and deeper” is the theme for the affordable units at the proposed Domino Sugar Refinery development on the waterfront in Williamsburg.
“That’s the key,” said Michael Lappin, president of the Community Preservation Corp., adding, “We have pledged both a higher percentage of units and a deeper income level” than other developments in Brooklyn.”
“Higher” means that 30 percent, or 660 of the planned 2,200 total units, will be affordable as opposed to the 20 percent required by the Greenpoint-Williamsburg rezoning.
“Deeper” means they will be affordable to those whose income levels are in the $21,000-$22,000 range (110 units), as well as to those in the $41,000 range (330 units), and the $90,000 range (120 units) for the home ownership option. Additionally, 100 units will be reserved for low-income senior citizens, according to Lappin.
“Our goal is to mix them in throughout all the buildings, but not in the refinery because it will be so expensive to convert that building.”
Lappin was speaking at a meeting with the Eagle at the organization’s headquarters in Manhattan on Nov. 29. He was accompanied by Susan Pollock, senior vice president of CPC Resources Inc. (CPCR), a subsidiary of CPC and the project’s actual developer, in partnership with the Brooklyn-based Katan Group. Their goal was to provide an update as they prepare for their second scoping session before the City Planning Commission.
Lappin and Pollock believe the project will be certified in February or March and then will go through the ULURP (Uniform Land Use Review) process, which takes seven months.
Then the developers will start on a back lot to build the first group of affordable units.
“That is what the community asked of us so we pledged to do that,” he said. “A front [waterfront] lot next to Grand Ferry Park will be next.”
Other highlights of the meeting include the following:
• Three architectual firms are now cooperating on the proposed development with Rafael Vinoly as the master designer of the site and of the massing, placement and design of the buildings. Beyer Blinder Belle has been selected to handle the conversion of the now landmarked refinery buildings; and Quennell Rothschild is the landscape architect.
• An effort is being made to preserve the distinctive neon “Domino Sugar” sign, even though that was not required by the the Landmarks Preservation Commission.
“We are looking into possible ways to keep it on the site, possibly on the roof of one of the new buildings,” said Lappin. “The problem is it’s six stories high and would block windows and deprive residents of light and air if it was anywhere else.”
• Approximately 550 permanent jobs will be created (not including construction jobs), and the developers “will work very hard to employ local people.”
• More than four acres of open space, in addition to the 40-foot wide promenade, and a community or cultural facility are part of the plan for the 11-acre site.
“We are talking to various arts groups and the Brooklyn historical Society to come up with some kind of a community facility for the refinery buildings. There aren’t really any cultural centers in the area.”
• An estimated 120,000 square feet of retail is planned, mostly along Kent Avenue, “And, yes, a grocery store will be absolutely necessary. The sidewalks along Kent will be widened to make that side more pleasant and pedestrian-friendly.
Domino Site as Polyglot
“We feel we are creating a community here, a mix, a polyglot, reflecting what New York City is all about — not just rich, not just poor, not just young, not just old,” he said.
It’s also all about balance, according to Pollock.
“We believe we’ve got a great balance here,” she said.
“And with great architecture, a new look for the waterfront,” added Lappin.
© Brooklyn Daily Eagle 2007
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