The Clarett Site at 340 Court Street
360 Smith Street Stein/Boom, LLC
333 Carroll Street
Toll Brothers' Bond Street Site
I received an email from a PMFA reader yesterday. I am posting it here as an op-ed piece, because I thought that it contained some very interesting and valid points that we, as a community need to address. Let's start the dialogue....
Seeing the Stein building today actually has me upset all over again. It is not what our neighborhood needs. And to think that a few blocks south and a few west, 12 story and 8 story buildings are planned at Public Place and Toll Brothers. A few blocks west and north is Clarett's 8 story building on Court St.
These developments alone could forever change the character of Carroll Gardens. In today’s N.Y. Times, there was an article about thriving local small business, most of which is right here. It said the character of our neighborhood (small/local) makes this type of business very successful and that local small business success is the best thing for our economy. Bigger development/ more density will lead to box stores and national chains, not a good thing.
We just had the election of, for all practical purposes, our new City Councilman, Brad Lander. Brad has made it no secret that he is in favor of buildings in these areas that are out-of-scale 12 or 14 stories, as long as they have an affordable housing component. Is it possible that he would be in favor of the Stein building and the Clarret buildings as well if they were given more height and density to accommodate affordable housing?
I think our whole neighborhood needs to re- enter this debate, about the use of Public Place and the current fashion for affordable housing via private luxury development. Is it really the only/best way, does it have a serious downside for Carroll Gardens? What is the need for affordable housing in Carroll Gardens? Will greater development just drive up housing cost more and force more people out vs. the affordable it will provide? There are several building owners I know who rent to people because of their character or relationship at less than market rates therefore providing affordable housing.
There is a big human side and quality of life side to this issue that needs more attention. More than anything, I am calling on all the Lander supporters to enter the debate on development their candidate embraces. Do you want to see these buildings rising in Carroll Gardens or are you safely in land-marked and zoned Park Slope? John Heyer supporters were clearly against cleaning the Gowanus via Superfund so as not to stop the big building down there. Other supporters of John think the Stein building is great for us, I know you have your heart in the right place about CG but how do you feel about these “outsider” cashing in and the buildings they will leave behind? Any concerns at all? It is becoming a fact these buildings are rising. Gary Reilly and Bob Zuckerman ran on righteous platforms. I hope their concerns have not faded. The race for City Council is over but there is a lot more to do and to understand about the election and the implications for development.
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4 comments:
I have always thought that the affordable housing was a red herring which allows our politicians to get developer support and dollars. Being a liberal district with liberal "leaders", such as Bill de Blasio, it wouldn't go over well for them to support luxury development. It also has the added benefit of making the community look like a-holes if they oppose large scale, out of context development which includes affordable and senior housing.
As for 333 Carroll Street, had Bill D. returned one of the numerous phone calls he received it might not have gotten as far as it did. Instead he ignored his constituents until he couldn't.
I can't wait to vote Mark Green next Tuesday.
Yes, a 12 story building is out of context in this neighborhood. But we can't try to close the barn door after the horse has been let out; those developments are approved, vested, whatever you want to call it.
And, as for the letter writer, he (or she) shows complete lack of respect for others and less fortunate people by questioning whether or not Carroll Gardens needs affordable housing. If anyone does not own, or have a family which owns, in the neighborhood, they are looking at outrageous rents. Some of us can afford those. Others, not so much.
You can't rally against yuppies (as I certainly do) ruining the culture of the neighborhood, and then question whether or not the neighborhood needs affordable housing. It's precisely because the housing is so unaffordable that no normal people can move here anymore.
Take a look at the old-time shop keepers in the neighborhood. Caputos. Espositos. Giardini. You think they live in the area? Nope.
Dear Batman
You bring up good points. We need to make living here more affordable, the popularity and great qualities of CG have driven up the cost ridiculously. I was told by the developer of 340 Court St we should all be happy they are building a luxury building as it will raise our property values and help us get higher rents. So the formula is get a few "afforbale" units in a luxery building while property and rent, food cost restaurant cost ect go up for everyone. Also give these same developers 421A tax breaks so they pay NO property taxes while we do. Bring greater density into the neighborhood, more school kids, more subway riders more sewer and water and infrastructure problems and then the city says someone needs to pay for this... raise taxes and it is even less affordable. My main point and you have good ones too is that this formula for affordable housing needs to be questioned and we should not get a guilt trip for doing so.
still not sure why the successful carroll gardens movement to keep the neighborhood height at 55' doesn't work outwards to gowanus/court street, etc. so as to help prevent these.
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