2 Furman Street in Brooklyn seen from the Brooklyn Promenade. Image credit: CityLaw.

Development corporation constructed buildings in Brooklyn Bridge Park that blocked view of the Brooklyn Bridge from the Brooklyn Promenade. In 2005 Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corporation and Empire State Development Corporation adopted a general project plan for Brooklyn Bridge Park that included the development of a hotel, restaurant, and residential units upland of Brooklyn’s Pier 1. Community members demanded during the initial environmental review that the new buildings not block the view of the Brooklyn Bridge from the Brooklyn Promenade.  The final environmental impact statement limited the northern building to a height of 100 feet and the southern building to a height of 55 feet.  (read more…)

Artistic Rendering of Pier 3. Image Credit: Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates.

City enters final stretch for the completion of the Brooklyn Bridge Park. On October 19, 2016, the conversion of Pier 3 in Brooklyn Bridge Park began. Currently ninety percent of the park, which opened in 2010, is either under construction or completed. When opened, Pier 3 will offer a central lawn, a recreation and programming area, and a play “labyrinth” which will highlight historic elements salvaged from the reconstruction—namely salvaged rail ties and bollards.

Mayor Bill de Blasio called the park the “front lawn of Brooklyn,” adding that Pier 3 would “add more space for kids to play and for families to enjoy this incredible place.” The City has slated $26 million in capital funding in the Mayor’s FY17 budget for the project. (read more…)

Architect rendering of the Pierhouse development. Image credit: Toll Brothers

Save The View community group argues new evidence shows rooftop bulkheads are not mechanical.  On July 22, 2015, community group Save The View Now filed to renew their motion for a preliminary injunction against construction of the Pierhouse development in Brooklyn Bridge Park.  The group’s initial challenge, arguing the development’s rooftop mechanicals violated an agreed-upon height cap, was dismissed on June 10.

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