Community District
Find the planning projects in your community district.
Brooklyn CD02 Projects
Quick Links
Brooklyn Community District 02
350 Jay Street, 8th Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Phone: 718.596.5410
Fax: 718.852.1461
Email: cb2k@nyc.rr.com
Quick Links
Historic Districts Council Newstand
Families United for Racial and Economic Equality - Downtown Brooklyn Campaign
Albee Square Mall Tower
The Albee Square Mall has been sold for $125 million, and the new owners plan to tear it down to build 1,000 rental units -- 20 percent of which would be for tenants of moderate income. Underneath this giant apartment complex, which will become one of the tallest buildings in Brooklyn, will sit three stories of office space and four stories of new retail. The plans call for a million square feet of retail space, up from 50,000; and about 125,000 square feet of Class A office space.
All of this can be done as of right, thanks to the comprehensive downtown Brooklyn upzoning passed by the city council in 2004. The city’s Industrial Development Agency is expected to approve $3.2 million in tax breaks related to the sale for the new owners, a coalition including a nationally prominent firm, MacFarlane Partners of San Francisco. The project, to be known as the Center at Albee Square, still must go through several layers of government approval, but the new zoning allows more than 1 million square feet of development on the site. The city owns the land under the mall and a tentative deal calls for the new owners to pay $28 million in rent over the next four years.
While the city promises that the development will provide hundreds of jobs and affordable housing, opponents are fearful that a "big-box chain" such as Wal-Mart might enter the retail section of the development and further question the use of subsidies on the valuable piece of land.
Recent headlines
Deconstruction Begins at Albee Square Mall
November 25, 2007
Brooklyn Eagle
Another Target for Brooklyn
November 5, 2007
New York Daily News
Downtown Brooklyn to Get New Park
August 15, 2007
New York Post
Quick Links
PICCED: Preliminary Planning Analysis of the Atlantic Yards Project (PDF)
Zimbalist economic impact report (PDF)
Kim/Peebles economic impact report (PDF)
Develop Don't Destroy - Brooklyn
Community Benefits Agreement (PDF)
ACORN/Ratner Memorandum of Understanding (PDF)
Forest City Ratner Companies NYC Website
ACORN Report on Brooklyn Housing
EIS Final Scope of Analysis (PDF)
Draft EIS and General Project Plan from ESDC
University of Miami Design Studio--Atlantic Yards Example Plans
Eminent Domain Federal Lawsuit Complaint (pdf)
Eminent Domain Federal Lawsuit Documents
Report and Recommendation of U.S. Magistrate Judge Levy Regarding the Use of Eminent Domain (PDF)
Eminent Domain Challenge -- Dismissal Ruling
U.S. Supreme Court Response to Petition for Certiorari (6_23_08)
Atlantic Yards
Forest City Ratner Companies is developing the 22 acre site known as Atlantic Yards in Brooklyn. The site is at the intersection of Atlantic and Flatbush Avenues and much of the site consists of a current open-air rail yard controlled by the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA). The development plan includes an 18,000-seat basketball arena; over 6,400 units of housing; 748,000 square feet of office and retail space, including a hotel; eight acres of open space; and, parking for approximately 3,800 cars. The developer also negotiated a community benefits agreement (CBA) with a group of community stakeholders, covering a number of issues including affordable housing and local hiring. On March 3, 2005 the City and the State signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the developer. On December 20th, 2006 the Public Authorities Control Board approved the project, the last official approval needed to begin construction.
For supporters, the project would bring jobs, housing, a world-class sports and entertainment complex and economic development to the affected neighborhoods and the borough. For opponents, it is an ill-conceived, out-of-scale proposal that would squander taxpayer dollars, displace existing residents and businesses, bring few benefits to the area, and swamp adjoining neighborhoods with traffic.
Opponents of the plan have filed several lawsuits seeking to stop the development and/or change the way it is being implemented. These include:
1) A Federal lawsuit concerning the appropriateness of the Empire State Development Corporation's (ESDC) use of eminent domain. The suit contends that the use of eminent domain is almost exclusively for private benefit, rather than public benefit. While a federal circuit court has ruled in ESDC’s favor, opponents are appealing that decision;
2) A State lawsuit challenging the environmental review of the project based on the contention that the review did not fully address traffic and security issues; and,
3) A State lawsuit claiming ESDC did not provide proper compensation for residents being displaced by the project. This suit was dismissed by a State panel, but the residents are planning on appealing that decision.
Recent headlines
Prospect Heights Historic Designation Seen as Protection from Further Development
July 13, 2008
New York Sun
Opponents of Atlantic Yards Bring Environmental Concerns to Court Again
July 8, 2008
Curbed
Supreme Court Won’t Hear Atlantic Yards Case
June 23, 2008
New York Times
Brooklyn Academy of Music Cultural District
City officials are planning to transform the area between Fulton and Lafayette streets near Fort Greene Park, Brooklyn into a cultural haven for artists and performers, as part of the greater Downtown Brooklyn improvements being made. The $650 million BAM Cultural District will be built around the existing Brooklyn Academy of Music and will include a library, dance studio, public park between Fort Greene and Willoughby Square, museum and gallery, underground parking and a residential high-rise. The project will also include the 299-seat, Frank Gehry-designed Theater for a New Audience, which is supposed to start construction in 2008 and will be located on Lafayette Street across from the existing BAM opera house. The dance studio is slated to be inside the 20-story residential tower, half of whose apartments are supposed to be affordable. The new Visual and Performing Arts Library will be part of the Brooklyn public library system and will be located on Flatbush Avenue. These new additions and improvements are designed to help improve the street level amenities in the area, which is notorious for poor pedestrian accessibility. The city will submit a request for bids on the projects in February 2007.
The first completed segment of the BAM Cultural District is the 30,000 sq ft. office space named 80 Arts located on Hanson Place and South Portland Avenue. 80 Arts houses local non-profit art organizations with affordable office space and shared amenities such as gardens and rehearsal space. A specific focus was placed on selecting organizations run locally by women and minorities.
In November 2007, developer Carlton Brown of Full Spectrum was chosen to build the multi-income residential building and cultural center, Danspace. He has gained support from many locals as well as city councilwoman Leticia James because of his long-standing ties with Brooklyn and his African-American background. Many believe that bringing diversity to the development process will help to build a more well-rounded community for everyone. The unusual design will allow for increased air-flow and light in the units, half of which are to be low-income or affordable. Construction of Danspace is not set to begin until 2009, however with the developer chosen forward progress is expected as part of the second phase of development in the area.
Also part of the second phase of development are the Theater for a New Audience, renovations of the Strand Theater, the BAM Annex (an addition of performing and community space on the already existing BAM facility) and an ongoing streetscape and community design initiative. A big component of the design aspect is the Visual Arts Plaza, located on Ashland Place linking these cultural facilities together and creating a public outdoor space for the community. The first of these projects are expected to begin construction in early 2008.
Recent headlines
Brooklyn Cultural Groups to Move into Restored Historic Theatre
July 21, 2008
The Real Deal
Renovations at Strand Theater Provide Additional Cultural Space
July 2, 2008
New York Times
Plans for BAM Culture District Change
June 18, 2008
Gothamist
Quick Links
Brooklyn Greenway Initiative site
Draft Greenway Plan for CB2 & CB6 (PDF)
Brooklyn Bridge Park NYC Wired Forum
NYCEDC Development Studies of Brooklyn Piers 7-12
Brooklyn Greenway Initiative’s Vision for the Greenway at Piers 7-12
Van Valkenburgh Architects: Brooklyn Bridge Park Plans (flash site)
Brooklyn Greenway
In 1993, the Brooklyn Waterfront Trail was identified as a priority route in the Department of City Planning's Greenway Plan for New York City, which outlined a vision for a citywide 350-mile network of greenways. The Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway project area now spans 14 miles of Brooklyn waterfront.
When completed, it will provide a human scale connection between numerous waterfront communities now divided by highways and transit infrastructure. Benefits will include more waterfront access, better quality of life, healthier lifestyles, more diverse transportation options, and increased economic development, as more people find Brooklyn a desirable place to live or relocate their business.
The proposed Greenway will stretch from Sunset Park to Newtown Creek in Greenpoint. Within the 14 mile Greenway will be the Brooklyn Bridge Park and other large-scale redevelopments. In addition to the planning for the Brooklyn Bridge Park and the Brooklyn Navy Yard, the New York City Economic Development Corporation has recently focused on the planning and redevelopment initiative to help guide the future of Brooklyn Piers 7-12. On May 31, 2006, ownership of Piers 1, 2, 3, and part of Pier 5 was transferred from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to the Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corporation (BBPDC), a significant step in the completion of the project. A map of the greenway is linked on the right.
Opponents have filed suit against the Empire State Development Corporation for including shops, restaurants, a hotel and 1,210 condos to the Brooklyn Bridge Park plan. The ESDC insists that private fund are needed to maintain the project.
Recent headlines
Parts of Brooklyn Bridge Park to be Operational in 2009
July 11, 2008
Brooklyn Papers
Renderings of Brooklyn Bridge Park Released
July 2, 2008
Brownstoner
Small Section of Brooklyn Bridge Park to Open This Summer
June 12, 2008
Brooklyn Eagle
Quick Links
"Downzoned, But Still on the Uprise"
"Wallabout is high over low-rise rezone victory"
NYC Department of City Planning Zoning Proposal Certification
Clinton Hill/Ft. Greene Rezoning
At the request of Community Board 2, local civic groups and elected officials, the Department of City Planning proposed contextual zoning map changes and a zoning text amendment for 99 blocks located within the Fort Greene and Clinton Hill neighborhoods including the Wallabout area of Brooklyn. Under the current R6 zoning, construction of tall apartment buildings without a height limitation is permitted and has resulted in buildings that are inconsistent with the typical brownstone character of the neighborhood and historic districts. Much of the community’s concern stems from the massive, 22-acre Atlantic Yards basketball arena and high-rise development approved at the intersection of Flatbush and Atlantic avenues. Residents fear that Atlantic Yards (which is not subject to city zoning) will encourage more high-rise development in the quiet, low-rise brownstone neighborhoods. Already, a number of out-of-scale, 11- to 13-story tower developments are proposed or have been constructed that are inconsistent with the low-rise, row house neighborhood character. The proposed contextual zoning districts -- R5B, R6B, R6A, R7A -- would protect and preserve the predominantly brownstone character of the neighborhood's residential core and provide opportunities for apartment house construction and inclusionary zoning incentives for affordable housing on Myrtle Avenue, Fulton Street and Atlantic Avenue within the rezoning area. Specifically it would allow six- to eight-story mixed-use apartment and commercial buildings along Atlantic Avenue, while allowing mixed retail and residential buildings along the commercial corridors of Myrtle Avenue and Fulton Street. The proposed rezoning was approved by the City Council in July 2007.
Recent headlines
Residents and Leaders Rally Against Redevelopment in Fort Greene
October 14, 2007
New York Post
Myrtle Avenue Partnership Plans Pedestrian-Friendly Street
September 30, 2007
Crain's New York Business
Two Brooklyn Neighborhoods Rezoned
July 30, 2007
Brooklyn Eagle
Downtown Brooklyn
On May 10, 2004, the City Planning Commission unanimously approved all of the actions of the Downtown Brooklyn Development Plan. On June 28, 2004, the City Council adopted this comprehensive development plan to facilitate the continued growth of Downtown Brooklyn. The plan recommends a series of zoning map and zoning text changes, new public open spaces, pedestrian and transit improvements, urban renewal, street mappings and other actions that would foster a multi-use urban environment to serve the residents, businesses, academic institutions and cultural institutions of Downtown Brooklyn and its surrounding communities. Critics of the plan are concerned that new, more upscale retailers coming to the area will drive out existing businesses.
Recent headlines
Opponents of Brooklyn Jail May Go To Court
July 2, 2008
Brooklyn Papers
Local Leaders and Activists Fight Detention House Expansion in Downtown Brooklyn
June 23, 2008
Brooklyn Eagle
Downtown Brooklyn Site Appears Ready for Construction of Tower
May 16, 2008
Brooklyn Eagle
DUMBO Rezoning
The NYC Department of City Planning received a petition for comprehensive rezoning in October 2003. The plan would rezone Brooklyn's DUMBO neighborhood from M2 & M3 to mixed use. The details are still emerging, but key community concerns include: ensuring new developments fit into the neighborhood; preserving waterfront access; retaining some light industry; and encouraging affordable housing.
Recent headlines
DUMBO Residents Urging City Planning To Expand Plans
March 8, 2008
Brooklyn Papers
Residential Rezoning in DUMBO Supported by Community
March 4, 2008
New York Observer
City Releases DUMBO Rezoning Earlier Than Planned
March 4, 2008
Brooklyn Eagle