June 19, 2008
Community Backlash Against "The New Seaport"
The South Street Seaport redevelopment plan, released yesterday, is unsurprisingly being met with immediate backlash. Councilman Alan J. Gerson, who the NY Times reports has a significant voice in the approval, has stated with confidence that the plan is “certainly not going to pass in its present form.”
The developers, General Growth Properties, told Gerson of their “willingness to work with him” and have mentioned refining the plan, though have not mentioned to what extent. Meanwhile, Community Board 1 members are also voicing their concerns, mainly their demands for parks and community centers.
In the other corner, however, is the Bloomberg administration, who are in favor of the GGP plan. Since the property is city-owned, this could be the thorn in the side of those opposing the plans, which include a high-rise blocking the waterfront.
The Times breaks down the square footage for the future look; it would include "423,815 square feet of retail space, 375,140 square feet of hotel space, 247,950 square feet of open space, 176,575 square feet of residential space and 32,000 square feet of space for a community center." Earlier this year a 30,000 square foot community center was proposed, to be housed on the second floor of the former Fulton Market building (currently where the “Bodies” exhibit is on display), and the community deemed it too small. The next monthly scheduled meeting for CB1 is next Tuesday.




[ report this ]
It's ugly...
WHAT A SURPRISE!
The landlord is letting the building turn to shit to get the tenants out...
WHAT A SURPRISE!
Mayor White Bread thinks this is all just fine...
WHAT A SURPRISE!
Pier 17 was a dump six minutes after it opened. I remember going there for a drink in '85 and wanting to run home and take a shower.
But why is it so f***ing hard to do anything imaginative and to scale and in the public and community interest?
[ report this ]
The overwhelming consensus here yesterday was that it was ugly. Funnily enough, commenters at Curbed were just the opposite. Most there liked it. I guess Curbed and Gothamist cater to different audiences.
[ report this ]
Yet another reason this city is going to hell. Soon enough there will be no reason, or affordable way to live in or visit this town. The Bloombergs of the world and there subordinate love of corporations are the death nell if this great city and this country.
[ report this ]
If That stupid 'scaffolding tower' was turned into a giant waterfall, I'd hate it even more. Why this design? Who asked for this?
[ report this ]
As I live directly across from it on Pearl Street, I find this design way too obnoxious and obstructive. Why does everything need apartments and hotels these days? Why cannot we have straight retail and community space? Just another location for rich foreigners and yuppies to move into. Mind you, I do like modern architecture but this is debauchery. Why does everything need cubes and lattice? If it is a Historical District, why remove the history from it? That is my two cents and I am definitely hope I am free for the CB1 meeting.