Judge Rules Developer Can Build Controversial Complex That Blocks Some Brooklyn Bridge Views
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A judge has ruled construction can proceed on a hotel and condominium complex that blocks some views of the Brooklyn Bridge.
Justice Lawrence Knipel said the panorama is a "world-class view worthy of the maximum protection,'' but ruled developers were within their legal rights in blocking portions of it from people on the Brooklyn Heights Promenade.
Judge Rules Developer Can Build Controversial Structure In Brooklyn
The construction of Pierhouse, which is on land controlled by the Brooklyn Bridge Park Corp., is nearing completion.
The New York Times reports the judge concluded in his ruling Friday that the government made "a conscious decision'' to allow the project at its current height for reasons of economic sustainability. He also said opponents failed to file their challenge within the allotted time.
Developers Toll Brothers and Starwood Capital Group released a joint statement saying they are pleased with the decision.
"Toll Brothers and Starwood are proud to be a part of the historic redevelopment of Brooklyn Bridge Park, which has been transformed from dilapidated piers and industrial buildings into an urban oasis with enormous long-term benefits to New York City and its residents," the statement read. "We are equally proud that Pierhouse will serve as a model of environmental sustainability while also helping to generate the revenue necessary to sustain this world-class public amenity for decades to come."
Opponents say they're reviewing their legal options.
Steven Guterman, spokesman for the group Save the View Now, said the decision is a blow to both residents and visitors.
"There was a family who had come here from Chicago to see the same view that they saw in 'Moonstruck,'" Guterman said. "They were devastated that view doesn't exist."
"Living in this city and enjoying things like this is only going to be for the privileged," visitor Laura Maloney said. "You got to preserve the view."
Gutterman said Mayor Bill de Blasio, who controls the Brooklyn Bridge Park Corp., didn't seem to care about the view and "decided to let Toll Brothers and Starwood Capital Group oversize the building by 30 percent so they can reap hundreds of millions of dollars of profit."
Save the View Now will challenge the decision, claiming the judge ignored an agreement with the community to limit the structure's height, 1010 WINS' Sonia Rincon reported.
The group claims the developer built three stories higher than it agreed to.
In January, the mayor's pick for park president said the Pierhouse is just 3 feet higher than originally planned due to changes forced by Superstorm Sandy, and no more obstructive than a warehouse torn down on the site.
"There's no bait and switch. The building that is under construction now is exactly the building that was approved," said Regina Myer of the Brooklyn Bridge Park Corp. "This was all according to the plan for this beautiful park."
Some neighbors are torn.
"It'd be nice to have our cake and eat it, too, and not have the building there. But the fact of the matter is it supports the operations of the park," resident Steve Fahmie said. "Fantastic park, love it, and if the price is some development that's fine with me."
Preservationists and the Brooklyn Bridge Park Corp. have tangled over the issue for months.
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