'New Domino' Project Gets Big Thumbs Down from Councilman

post-free's Flickr

After receiving a resounding rejection from the local Community Board last week, another blow was dealt last night to an ambitious $1.2-billion plan to turn the landmark Domino Sugar Refinery site in Williamsburg into a residential complex with 2,200 apartments and four acres of public park on the waterfront. At a public hearing held by Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, freshman City Council member Steve Levin came out against the project, which could spell much bigger trouble for developers than the Community Board's vote, because Council members typically defer to the local councilmember on land-use issues. At last night's hearing, an aide read from a statement explaining Levin's objections:

The project is simply too big. Too big, too high, too many people. The plan would introduce over 6,000 new residents to the neighborhood, a nearly 25-percent population increase for the half-mile area surrounding the site. How does everyone get to work? [The L] train is over capacity during morning rush hour as it is.

An environmental impact study found the development would increase rush hour subway ridership in the area by 1,350 people and have a "significant adverse impact" on the transit system. Domino developers insist that increased ferry service to Manhattan would reduce that impact, as would a potential MTA plan to replace the M train with the V, theoretically giving Domino residents a direct link to midtown from Marcy Avenue and alleviating pressure on the L.

Susan Pollock, who represents the developers through the Community Preservation Corporation Resources [CPCR], claims that CPCR can't reduce the number of apartments because they need revenue to not only pay for the project but to finance the 660 promised affordable apartments—30% of the total units. Pollock also tells the Daily News, "The refinery is extravagantly expensive," because rehabbing the old building will cost an estimated $40 million more than tearing it down and building something new.

According to the Brooklyn Paper, Markowitz did not reveal his position yet, but he will issue a recommendation within a month, at which point the project will go to its next step in the review, the City Planning Commission, which is expected to approve it. After that, it will go before the City Council, which now looks like a big problem for CPCR. Levin says he will not support the plan "unless the issues of height and density, transportation, and open space, among others, are addressed."

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By John Del Signore in News on March 18, 2010 2:49 PM

Comments [rss]

jasonparke

As a resident on Kent Avenue, I have to say the idea of acres of open space and the concept of an increased population bringing more services to the waterfront is highly appealing. Right now the factory is really cool looking, but completely prevents any access to the river for several blocks. There isn't a deli for blocks and blocks. I understand the train thing (oh, do I) but increased ferry service is a MUST for this area and will be spurred by this development. It should be noted that ferries served Brooklyn-Manh connections for a century right right here...we need it again. The train is pretty far from here, anyway.

LaliP

yeah, but for the neighborhood to accomodate the influx of people, BIGGER stores will have to open (chains!) like cvs, whole foods, target, etc. maybe that's just inevitable, but i like the charm and character of the neighborhood as it is. i don't even mind the hipsters. they're cute. the domino factory is historical and it really ought to be preserved, regardless of what they re-fashion it into. there's plenty of other space for waterside parks.

LaliP

markowitz makes an excellent point about the L train and adding so many people to the neighborhood. it really would create a huge burden.

on the OTHER hand, i hate to see the domino factory just sitting there. it's so cool looking!! and i'd really REALLY hate for it to be torn down just to be replaced by some ugly boring "luxury" infastructure.

my solution: destroy all the other ugly, boring, "luxury" apts/condo's that have sprung up in willyb and gp, and the people who are displace can move into the domino factory :)

ganghiscon

That was Levin's aide, not Markowitz.

"According to the Brooklyn Paper, Markowitz did not reveal his position yet, but he will issue a recommendation within a month, at which point the project will go to its next step in the review, the City Planning Commission, which is expected to approve it."

LaliP

oops, well, good point levin. (er.. levin's aide)

BDS=(Boycott.Divest.Sanction)

the decision they make now will haunt the area for the next 100 years.

You look at the waterfront surrounding Manhattan - a park stretches from the botton to the top. Look at the waterfront access in brooklyn? Bay ridge has had it some for a while, but north of that...nothing.

one public pier in redhook, one private...the rich folks had their overlook in BH and now they are getting the decent DUBMO park...then nothing..greenpoint used to have a couple of piers you could go on, they've fallen into the water, and now these scum of the earth developers wanting to build luxury condos there.

people got to stand up to these developers. you're living on top of each other in north brooklyn. waste tranfers stations. s*it factories (literally), oil seeping up from the ground (literally) and all the rest. the waterfront in North Brooklyn from wburg to greenpoint should be a park. it doesnt have to be fancy, give us an empty lot, but for god sake dont give us any more godless condos....and to hell with anyone who disagrees with me.