Compiled by Linda Collins
Brooklyn Daily Eagle

DUMBO — An estimated 75 people joined a rally in the bitter cold Sunday, protesting the development by Two Trees Management Co. of an 18-story building protesters believe is “too tall� and “too close� to the Brooklyn Bridge and would permanently block views of the bridge and from the bridge.

The proposed Dock Street DUMBO development — which also contains a public middle school, affordable units, a parking garage and green elements — comes before Community Board 2’s full board, Wednesday, Jan. 14, at 6 p.m. at Brooklyn Borough Hall. (CB 2’s Land Use Committee voted against the project in late December.)

The DUMBO Neighborhood Association (DNA), which is spearheading the opposition along with the Fulton Ferry Landing, Vinegar Hill and Brooklyn Heights associations, has said they don’t oppose a building on the site, which is the right of developers Jed and David Walentas, principals of Two Trees, but do oppose one so tall.

Prefer Building No Higher Than Bridge Roadway or 75-Foot Max

At the rally Sunday, protesters called for Community Board 2, Borough President Marty Markowitz and the City Council to reject the proposed tower unless the height is reduced to below the roadway of the Brooklyn Bridge.

“The proposed high-rise, at 212 feet, is even taller than a similar development proposed by the same developer at the same site in 2004. That proposal was defeated because of similar concerns about preserving views from and to the iconic Brooklyn Bridge,� said a DNA spokesperson.

They do agree with the Community Board Land Use Committee’s recommendation that the site should be zoned R7B, which would create a 75-foot height limit for Dock Street, she said. This would allow for sensible development to fit in contextually with the surrounding buildings in DUMBO, rather than overwhelm them.

Council Member David Yassky, whose district includes the proposed tower, said, “When the Land Use Committee of Community Board 2 voted down the Dock Street proposal, they did the right thing. While I have always been a strong advocate for affordable housing and environmentally sustainable development, as well as the dire need for a middle school in this area, it is our responsibility to weigh the long-term effects of this high rise development project.

“This proposal is out of scale with its surroundings and will forever change the natural view of and from the Brooklyn Bridge, which is a National Historic Landmark and an important monument. Even more, the School Construction Authority has other options for creating a Middle School, including the expansion of P.S. 8, which will allow us to preserve the character of our neighborhood.�

Tony Avella, chairman of the council’s Zoning and Franchises Subcommittee, has also registered his opposition to the proposed Dock Street development: “In 2004, Two Trees came to my office with their proposed tower and at the time I said ‘It’s too tall, it’s too wide and it’s too close to the Brooklyn Bridge.’ “Now, they’ve come back with an even taller, wider proposed building which is still too close to the Brooklyn Bridge. The benefits that Two Trees is offering — the middle school, affordable housing units and ‘green’ building, which are all good things, were they not connected to this proposal — do not outweigh the burdens that an oversized project like this will create.

“Additionally, I will not support a proposed development that will negatively impact not only the Brooklyn Bridge, but two New York City landmark historic districts — DUMBO and Fulton Ferry Landing — and one of the most important state parks in the whole state of New York.�

Simeon Bankoff, executive director of the Historic Districts Council, said, “To propose a building of this height in this location is a slap in the face to one of New York City’s most important historic structures. This project is inappropriate and unacceptable. All the needs of the community — affordable housing, a new school — and all the desires of the developer can be satisfied by a lower building which respects its historic surroundings and doesn’t block the bridge.�

Right Project, Right Place, Right Time

Two Trees, in an e-mailed statement received by the Eagle Monday, wrote, “Numerous land use and design professionals and hundreds of community members have stated that Dock Street Dumbo is well-designed and contextual. We believe that it is the right project in the right place at the right time.� Council Member Letitia James, concurred.

“I feel strongly that the Dock Street Dumbo project and its proposed public middle school will be positive additions to our community and I certainly don’t believe for a minute that this is something the Brooklyn Bridge needs to be ‘saved’ from,� she said.

“Not only is Dock Street Dumbo a well-designed, contextual building, but we simply cannot afford to miss out on the opportunity to secure new affordable housing and a state-of-the art school for our families. The project has my full support and I’m urging my neighbors, the Community Board and my fellow elected officials to support it as well.�

After Wednesday’s vote, the project will be submitted for review by the borough president, Department of City Planning, the City Council and, finally, the mayor’s office.

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