Bklink: Park Troubles

Does Brooklyn Bridge Park have more trouble on its hands? Yes, it does. The latest issue, revealed in today’s Post, is objections from the Department of Environmental Conservation to many of the park’s water features. DEC says they could harm aquatic life. Negotiations are underway.–Curbed

Bklink: Greenpoint Wall

What sort of park is built with a twelve-foot wall on the East River that could block views of Manhattan? Well, it’s a possibility at the weird temporary park that is going in at the foot of India Street in Greenpoint. “They are going to pave over with colored concrete, remove the chain link fence and replace it with concrete barriers (similar to what is along highways). This might be topped with steel fence. It could be up to 12 feet high.”–New York Shitty

Upcoming: Workshop on Brooklyn Bridge Park

We don’t know a lot about the session that’s being planned to talk about Brooklyn Bridge Park, but we do know that it sounds like it’s going to be interesting. Groups that are working to develop the park in a manner that is different from the official Empire State Development Corp. model are holding it. Here’s the info:

You’re urged to attend the Brooklyn Bridge Park workshop on plans for Pier 6 and the Atlantic Avenue gateway, which will be held at Long Island college Hospital on Thursday, February 28, 2008, between 7 and 9 PM. in the main floor conference rooms B & C. The meeting, sponsored by the Atlantic Avenue Betterment Association in collaboration with the Cobble Hill Association, the Sierra Club, the Willowtown Association, Brooklyn Vision and the Brooklyn Bridge Park Defense Fund, will be moderated by Ethan and Fred Kent of the Project for Public Places, internationally known architects and urban planners. This will be an opportunity for you to hear a variety of views and to present your opinions in a representative and unfiltered forum. Come at 6:30 PM for refreshments and sign-in.

For those that have only casually followed the long running saga of the big real estate development and open space project, there have been bitter disagreements about how to develop the park and the amenities that it should include. (The image here is a rendering showing the bulk of the luxe condo towers that would be built at the foot of Atlantic Avenue as part of the development.)

Upcoming: Another J.J. Byrne Park Discussion Session

Another session to discuss possible renovations to J.J. Byrne Park on Fifth Avenue in Park Slope is taking place tomorrow (Tuesday, January 22) from 7PM-9PM. Two sessions were held last week. Kim Maier, who is director of the Old Stone House sent an email via the Park Slope Parents group:

Play space, open space, green space – what do you imagine?!? Join us for a group discussion hosted by the Old Stone House and Brooklyn Parks to get your input on potential renovations to the 5th Avenue side of the park between 3rd and 4th streets. Please RSVP and let us know if you are planning to attend –oldstonehouse@oldstonehouse.org or call 718-768-3195. This is a wonderful opportunity for community input, and we look forward to hearing from you.

It will take place at the Old Stone House in JJ Byrne Park, on Fifth Avenue between Third Street and Fourth Street. Hopefully, the organizers will widely distribute a summary of the meetings and of the conclusions to share with the broader community.

GL Cold Weather TV: The Floating Pool

In the summer, when it gets blazing hot, we will occasionally post a photo or video of Brooklyn in winter. So, during this little cold snap, we bring you the Floating Pool. Ah, summer.

Greenpoint’s Transmitter Park Coming Soon

This is a conceptual plan for “Transmitter Park,” which is one of the parks that was discussed at the Greenpoint Waterfront Association for Parks and Planning meeting the other night at Warsaw. The rendering has been around for a while, but New York Shitty reports that work on the park, which would be on the former site of WNYC’s transmitter at the end of Greenpoint Avenue, would begin soon and that the park will be ready at the end of 2009 or in early 2010. The plan shows that it would include a cafe in the building that was once WNYC’s transmitter building. The 1.8 acre park is budgeted at $10 million. Miss Heather writes: “Of all the plans presented last night this one was by and far my favorite. Not only is the location fantastic, but I suspect I speak for many when I say quality park space in north Greenpoint is long, LONG overdue.” A final plan is due in June. To see the full conceptual planning document, which is a PDF, you can click here. (WARNING: Clicking will OPEN A PDF.)

A significant amount of open space and parks were promised as part of the 2005 Williamsburg/Greenpoint rezoning that allowed development of buildings up to 30-40 stories tall on the East River waterfront. Residents have been frustrated by the slow progress on the city’s parks commitment versus the relatively quick pace of development that has followed. The rezone, which was not embraced by everyone locally, and was on one of the most significant neighborhood makeover attempts by the Bloomberg Administration. The open space component and “inland” downzone that was part of the bigger package were intended to create neighborhood support for the highrise part of the plan.

Upcoming: Williamsburg Parks & Open Space Meeting Today

We’ve posted before about the “Town Hall” meeting sponsored by the Greenpoint Waterfront Assocation for Parks & Planning at Warsaw on January 17 at 7PM (261 Driggs Ave.). But, it’s important enough to note again. (There’s a small article in Metro today about it as well.) Here’s a bit from the original email announcing it:

The neighborhoods of Greenpoint/ Williamsburg are at a point of crisis and opportunity. Crisis because rampant development threatens what little open space and parks we have. Promises of additional open space made in the 2005 rezoning have never materialized. However, opportunities abound. We have promises made for terrific park facilities all over the neighborhood. We just have to make it happen….Here’s a sneak peak at the agenda:

* What is GWAPP? * TGE power plant fight *Sludge tank status * India Street End Park Project * Transmitter Park (end of Greenpoint Ave) *Bushwick Inlet park plans * McCarren Park Pool renovation* State Park at N7th * Tree Planting

All important topics.

Bklink: More About JJ Byrne Park Upgrade

“The Old Stone House will open its doors to the community tomorrow and Saturday to discuss conceptual plans for renovating the Fifth Avenue side of the park. Plans for the Fourth Avenue side are underway.” A $2 million phase will include a large synthetic turf field by 2009.–Metro

Upcoming: Session on Redesigning JJ Byrne Park

Some possible renovations to JJ Byrne Park in Park Slope, which is the home of a big playground and the Old Stone House among other things, are in the works. The Parks Department and the Old Stone House will be hosting two sessions for group discussions about possible renovations to the Fifth Avenue side of the park. One session is on Friday, January 11 from 7PM-9PM. The other on Saturday, January 12 from 10AM-Noon. Here’s an email from Kim Maier, the Old Stone House’s Executive Director:

Play space, open space, green space – what do you imagine?!? Join us for break-out group discussions hosted by the Old Stone House and Brooklyn Parks to get your input on potential renovations to the 5th Avenue side of the park between 3rd and 4th streets. On Saturday, January 12 from Noon – 12:30 pm we’ll host a special session for kids to get their ideas as well.

Please RSVP by Thursday, January 10 and let us know which session you are planning to attend — oldstonehouse@verizon.net or 718-768-3195. This is a wonderful opportunity for community input…

Friday night or Saturday morning for those who are interested.

[Photo courtesy of Bridge and Tunnel Club, which has an excellent page of J.J. Byrne Park Photos]

Brooklyn Bridge Park Work to Start with Demolition of Historic Building?

[Photo courtesy of Dana F/flickr]

Work on the big Brooklyn Bridge Park development, which has been stalled and steeped in controversy, could get underway by next month. If so, it will start with a wrecking ball. Jotham Sederstrom reports in today’s Daily News that the first construction phase, which could be approved today, will include the demolition of the historic Purchase Building under the Brooklyn Bridge and the removal of portions of five piers. Mr. Sederstrom reports:

The Purchase Building, built with federal Work Projects Administration funds in 1936, had been used as a temporary headquarters for the Office of Emergency Management following 9/11, when its Manhattan office was destroyed.

Supporters of the $150 million park plan believe the landmarked building would bisect the park, interrupting its continuity and blocking views of the river. But despite protests from preservationists bent on saving the Art Deco building, the Landmarks Preservation Commission voted in favor of demolishing it in 2006.

“It’s further evidence that the [Empire State Development Corp.] cares so little about what the community thinks,” said Judi Francis, president of the Brooklyn Bridge Park Defense Fund. “All parties, for and against the project, have wanted to preserve it because it’s a landmark.”

A shed on Pier 1, meanwhile, is also expected to be demolished during the construction phase as well as the partial removal of four other sheds on piers 2, 3, 5 and 6.

It would appear to be safe to presume the huge project is no longer “stalled.”