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A proposal to increase a Greenpoint waterfront building from 30 stories to 40 stories was approved by Community Board 1 last night. Curbed is a little stunned, noting that "the vote was practically unanimous" and "that no one from the community showed up to object." The developer argued for the extra 10 stories because the lot (which he paid $84 million for) has limitations, due to a sewage line; the city's upzoning law had previously only increased the maximum height to 30 stories. Though there are more approvals needed, Curbed just adds, "the real issue is who is going to finance a 620-unit rental building in this part of Greenpoint right now."
Community Board Okays 40-Story Tower for Greenpoint
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the difference between a 30 story tower and a 40 story tower is minimal. It's the first 10 stories that make the difference in a neighborhood like this. It's going to look like LIC in a couple of years. Or it will be an abandoned city, a la Brasilia. Which might be kind of cool.
"Noone from the community showed up to object", because noone in N. Greenpoint knew about the project. And CB1 made no attempt to learn what N.Greenpointers thought about the project. Brooklyn CB1 reaches out to folks ONLY when they are looking for support to serve their agenda. I'm very active in the neighborhood and do recieve notices about the "Finger Building", landmarking issues in Williamsburg as well as other issues. However, I DO NOT recieve notices about issues that the CB wants to push through that may be contraversial or come up against opposition.
The CB knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that folks object to 40 story towers here. How do I know? Because I chaired the Parks & Open Space Subcommittee during the Williamsburg/Greenpoint Rezoning and I heard a great deal of testimony, community imput and so on.
The CB itself voted against the rezoning. The final "deal" was cut with the City & our local City Council Reps. The community NEVER had a chance to weigh into that deal making process.
It's clear. Our electeds. Our City officials. Everyone knows. That we are opposed to the residential towers. Particularly at 40 stories! They just don't care. CB1 doesn't care.
Laura Hofmann
Former Community Board 1 Rezoning Task Force Parks & Open Space Sub-Committee Chair.