City Council Approves Dock Street Development

The Observer reports that the City Council has approved the controversial Dock Street development 40 votes to 9. The project raised concerns among residents near the planned site at the base of the Brooklyn Bridge, plus a renowned historian and some celebrities, who argued views of the Bridge would marred. Others countered that a middle school and affordable would be included—and said the views were only an issue to the immediate area. The Observer notes, "In the end, it showed the savvy of developers David and Jed Walentas, who, with lobbyists Yoswein New York and attorney and former Councilman Ken Fisher, were able to convince the Council to buck its custom of deferring to the local member. (The Walentases pulled their application in a previous attempt in 2005 when it was clear that [Councilman David] Yassky, and the Council, would not approve the building)." Besides Yassky, the no votes were Charles Barron, Tony Avella, Bill de Blasio, Vincent Gentile, Alan Gerson, Eric Gioia, John Liu, and Peter Vallone Jr.