Community District
Find the planning projects in your community district.
Brooklyn CD06 Projects
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Brooklyn Community District 06
250 Baltic Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Phone: 718.643.3027
Fax: 718.624.8410
Email: info@brooklyncb6.org
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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
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
City Planning's Website on the Gowanus Canal Corridor
Gowanus Development
With Park Slope having been developed to capacity, nearby Gowanus is seeing a significant increase in commercial and residential development. Most prominently, Shaya Boymelgreen plans to build Gowanus Village, a 375,000 unit, mixed-use development with 350 apartments and condominiums stretching from Carrol Avenue to Third Street, and from the Gowanus Canal to Third Avenue. Boymelgreen is not alone in targeting Gowanus, as Toll Brothers and numerous other developers are buying land in the area as well. Unlike much development of this nature, in this case many environmentalists support Gowanus development insofar as it would help clean the canal. Separately, the Gowanus Canal Community Development Corporation has developed a plan to turn the area into a “green zone,” with low-rise energy efficient buildings lining the canal.
In February 2007 the city announced a new rezoning plan for Gowanus which includes designations for affordable housing and retail use in what was traditionally an industrial area. In the proposal, Gowanus has been divided up into five sub-areas, all of which are being targeted for development. It is expected that three of the sub-zones will still contain industrial areas, even outside the Industrial Business Zone. The city must still conduct an environmental impact statement and no development has yet been planned.
Residents remain concerned that the proposed plan did not directly address the clean-up of the polluted Gowanus Canal.
Recent headlines
"Sponge” Park Will Help Eliminate Gowanus Canal Contaminants and Odor
July 3, 2008
New York Sun
City Planning Approves “Narrow Streets” for Carroll Gardens
July 2, 2008
Curbed
Hotel Development in Gowanus Continues
June 16, 2008
Brooklyn Eagle
Quick Links
Public Place
Public Place is a heavily contaminated 6-acre brownfield located on the Southeast corner of Smith and 5th Streets stretching up to the Gowanus Canal in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn. The contamination dates back to a former manufactured gas plant that operated on the site until 1959. KeySpan, which is responsible for contamination on the site after acquiring Brooklyn Union Gas (former owner of the plant), entered into a Voluntary Cleanup Agreement with the State of New York in 2002.
On July 12, 2007, the City released a Request for Proposals (RFP) from developers interested in developing the Public Place site. The City envisions a mixed-use development with the ground floor being dedicated to “active-use.” The development would include a community facility and a variety of housing types, including senior and affordable. Finally, the City anticipates a “significant portion” of the site being reserved for open space.
Responses from interested developers were due on October 11, 2007. Five proposals were chosen from those submitted in November 2007. Since then the City has narrowed down the choices to two similar proposals one from the developer Related Companies and the other by Hudson Companies. The proposals were released in February 2008 and include mixed-use developments, as requested by the City, with approximately 1000 units of housing including the affordable and senior housing options and a public esplanade along the Gowanus. The proposals also include community space and some retail, however the Hudson proposal includes almost triple the amount of this space that Related has envisioned. There are also still opportunities for the project to grow because the owner of adjacent property is said to be potentially interested in joining with one of the proposals.
There is still some concern about contamination on the site and the appropriate cleanup. It is said that in order to sufficiently cleanup the entire site it would cost over $700 million and take 12 years, however the current plan is to remove top layers of contaminated soil and use a “membrane” layer to provide protection against seeping contamination. Some groups believe this is not sufficient for people to live there and the City should not take such “shortcuts”. Site cleanup is expected to start Summer 2008.
Once a final proposal is decided upon through continued community hearings the ULURP process will begin. The City and interested developers are aiming to have people inhabit the site by 2012.
Recent headlines
Warehouse Owner Ready to Join Winning Public Place Bid Project
April 26, 2008
Brooklyn Papers
Hudson Companies Wins Public Place Development Bid
April 16, 2008
New York Observer
Site Cleanup Begins in Anticipation of Development at Public Place
April 5, 2008
Brooklyn Papers
Red Hook Cruise Terminal
Mayor Bloomberg and Governor Pataki have announced the signing of a long-term lease agreement with the Port Authority that will allow the city to move forward on its plans to create a modern cruise terminal on the Brooklyn waterfront. This is part of a larger $200 million plan to renovate and expand the city’s cruise facilities. The initial 5-year lease of Piers 11 and 12 will cost around $560,000 a year in rent plus $47 million for design and construction of the terminal. It is estimated to create at least 600 new jobs.
Norwegian Cruise Lines and Carnival Corporation have signed agreements to use the terminal to dock the largest cruise ships in the world. Local residents’ main concern is the increased traffic and the ability of the area to accommodate it. Opponents are also concerned whether the industrial area will meet the needs of the thousands of tourists and employees that will pass through. Recently, opponents have complained the promised economic development has not materialized as tourists are quickly bussed out of the area. Presently, only 300 part-time jobs have been created.
Plans to expand the cruise terminal into the adjacent cargo piers and build new luxury housing, marinas and other uses, however, have failed. In April 2008, the Port Authority renewed its lease with American Stevedoring, the cargo terminal operator, for 10 years. This decision was heralded by many in Brooklyn as helping to retain jobs and maintain the borough's identity.
Recent headlines
Lease Signed for Cargo Docks in Red Hook
April 25, 2008
New York Times
Red Hook Port to Stay; Luxury Waterfront Development Plans Ousted
February 15, 2008
New York Daily News
Politicians Received Campaign Cash from Red Hook Operator
October 8, 2007
New York Post
Quick Links
Portside Matters Community Info and Calendar
New York Economic Development Corporation Project Description
Red Hook Development
The Red Hook waterfront is undergoing significant development concurrent with the new cruise line terminal, and a clash has emerged between those pushing for more commercial development and others attempting to build more residential complexes. On a large scale, the battle is playing out in an Economic Development Corporation proposal to convert 120 acres of currently industrial piers to residential developments, a proposal the long-time industrial users fiercely oppose. This conflict is also playing out on the smaller scale, most notably in the fight over the old Revere sugar refinery. Thor Equities plans to build residential housing, stores, and a marina on the property, which is surrounded by industrial activity like the nearby Erie Basin Bargeport. While the owners of that Bargeport claim its noisy 24-hour operation make the area suitable only for commercial use, Brooklyn Community Board 6 exempted the site from the surrounding Industrial Business Zone, and the project’s developers claim such mixed neighborhoods have worked well in other cities and will work in Red Hook.
Similar battles have been fought in Red Hook over developments like the new Fairway store and proposed residential development on a currently vacated lot on Conover Street. None of these conflicts has been nearly as visible, however, as the proposed IKEA store. Proponents of the project say the project will create more than 500 new jobs, and that the construction of a new public esplanade will return the waterfront to the surrounding neighborhood. Opponents argue the project will adversely impact traffic and destroy historic structures.
Recent headlines
Loss of Graving Dock to Ikea Parking Lot Problematic for City
June 23, 2008
New York Post
Red Hook Residents Await Ikea Opening with Mixed Feelings
June 16, 2008
New York Times
Ikea Will Draw Other Big Boxes to Red Hook
June 15, 2008
New York Daily News