Community District
Find the planning projects in your community district.
All Projects
- 125th Street Corridor
- 2nd Avenue Subway
- 421-a tax incentive program
- 980 Madison Tower
- Access to the Region's Core (ARC)
- Albee Square Mall Tower
- Atlantic Yards
- Bayside Rezoning
- Bayswater/Far Rockaway Rezoning
- Bedford Stuyvesant Rezoning
- Briarwood Rezoning
- Bricktown Centre
- Brig Redevelopment, Wallabout Brooklyn
- Brooklyn Academy of Music Cultural District
- Brooklyn Greenway
- Brooklyn Navy Yard
- Bush Terminal Park
- Clinton Hill/Ft. Greene Rezoning
- College Point Police Academy
- Columbia University Expansion
- Columbus Circle
- Con Ed Site Redevelopment
- Coney Island Development
- Cooper Square Urban Renewal Area
- Cross Harbor Freight Tunnel
- Domino Sugar Factory
- Downtown Brooklyn
- Downtown JFK-LIRR Link
- DUMBO Rezoning
- Dyker Heights/Fort Hamilton Rezoning
- East River Plaza
- East River Science Park
- East River Waterfront
- East Side Access
- Far Rockaway and Mott Creek Rezoning
- Far West Village Rezoning
- Federal Housing Policy
- Fieldston Landmark Designation
- Flushing Development
- Fordham Expansion
- Forest Hills Rezoning
- Fresh Kills Master Plan
- Fulton Street Transit Center
- Gansevoort Marine Transfer Station
- Garment District Rezoning
- Gateway Center at Bronx Terminal Market
- General Theological Seminary Tower (Chelsea)
- Governors Island
- Gowanus Development
- Greenpoint-Williamsburg Rezoning
- High Line Redevelopment + Whitney Museum
- HUB Retail and Office Center
- Hudson Railyards
- Hudson River Park
- Hudson Yards Rezoning & Development
- Hunter College Health-Professions Tower
- Hunts Point Vision Plan
- Inwood/Sherman Creek Waterfront Rezoning
- Jamaica, Queens Development and Rezoning
- Javits Convention Center Expansion
- JetBlue JFK Terminal
- Kingsbridge Armory
- Kissena Park Rezoning
- Lincoln Center Redevelopment
- Long Island City
- Lower East Side Rezoning
- Lower Manhattan Development
- Maspeth - Woodside Rezoning
- Mets Stadium Construction
- Middle Village-Glendale Rezoning
- Midwood Rezoning
- Mott Haven School Campus
- Moynihan Station
- Museum for African Art
- New Madison Square Garden
- New Rego Park, Queens Mall
- New York City Building Code
- New York City Hospital Redevelopment
- New York Diamond Tower
- New York Historical Society Tower
- No. 7 Line Extension
- North Brother Island
- North Tribeca Rezoning
- NYC 2012 Olympic Bid
- NYU Development
- One Madison Ave Clocktower
- P.S. 64 Redevelopment
- PlaNYC 2030
- Plaza Hotel Redevelopment
- Policy Developments - Landmarks
- Public Place
- Queens Botanical Garden
- Queens Plaza
- Queens West
- Randalls Island Water Park and Playing Fields
- Red Hook Cruise Terminal
- Red Hook Development
- Renaissance Ballroom and Renaissance Casino
- Seventh Regiment Armory (Park Ave.)
- Silvercup West
- SoHo Sanitation Garage
- Solid Waste Management Plan
- South Bronx Jail Plan
- South Ferry Terminal Project
- South Street Seaport Redevelopment
- South Village Historic District
- Springfield Gardens Rezoning
- St. Vincent’s Expansion
- Stapleton Waterfront District
- Starrett City
- Staten Island NASCAR Track
- Staten Island North Shore Light Rail
- Stuyvesant Town and Peter Cooper Village
- Sunnyside Yards Platform
- The Caledonia (Chelsea)
- Trump Soho Hotel Condominiums
- Union Square Redesign
- Union-Utopia Rezoning
- United Nations Renovation
- Upper West Side Rezoning Proposal
- Uptown New York (East Harlem)
- Van Cortlandt Park Filtration Plant
- Via Verde - New Housing New York Legacy Project
- Washington Square Park Redesign
- West-Park Presbyterian Church Tower
- White Plains Courtyard
- Whitestone Rezoning
- Willets Point Development
- World Trade Center Redevelopment
- Yankee Stadium Construction
QUICK LINKS
Domino Sugar Factory
The Community Preservation Corporation (CPC), a nonprofit organization, and Isaac Katan, a private developer, are in the planning stages for a project combining market-rate, moderate-income and low-income housing in the former Domino Sugar refinery in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. They purchased the site in 2004 for $55,831,875. Initial plans call for four towers of approximately forty stories to replace the Domino Sugar Factory buildings. Community Preservation Corporation Resources, the development arm of the CPC, is seeking a zoning change for the unused space. While the city initially committed itself to finding an industrial use for the site, Deputy Mayor for Economic Development Daniel Doctoroff has recently admitted that the city is involved with the project.
Fearful that residential development will destroy the architectural significance of the site, the Waterfront Preservation Alliance of Greenpoint and Williamsburg, the Municipal Arts Society and the Landmarks Conservancy formally asked the city's Landmarks Preservation Commission to consider the old sugar factory for landmark status in September 2006. The preservationists, supported by City Council member David Yassky, want any development to conform to the factory. The CPCR said it is waiting for the results of the historical and structural studies prior to revealing the scope of work publicly and have thus far denied requests by Brooklyn Community Board 1 Zoning Committee to present such plans.
Domino Sugar Sign to Stay
Monday, July 14, 2008 | Brooklyn Eagle | Topic: Historic Preservation & Landmarks
Developers of the New Domino, the 2,200-unit mixed income housing complex that will occupy the renovated and expanded old Domino Sugar refinery, have committed to refurbishing the refinery’s old sign and including it in their design. The refurbished sign will sit atop a new steel structure affixed to the top of the planned rooftop expansion. Plans for the redevelopment of the refinery were approved by the Landmarks Preservation Commission two weeks ago.
Local Church Group Shows Support for Domino Sugar Factory Redevelopment
Tuesday, July 01, 2008 | Brooklyn Eagle | Topic: Economic Development
Churches United, an organization of over 20 churches in the Williamsburg area, rallied on Sunday to demonstrate their support of the Domino Sugar factory redevelopment project. Several hundred people assembled in front of the waterfront factory, calling for local leaders to also support this project so that it can move forward in the City's Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP). Father Jim O’Shea expressed his enthusiasm for the factory to be redeveloped because he believes it will have long-term benefits for the community through the jobs it will create and the construction of 660 affordable units of housing.
LPC Approves New Domino Sugar Plans
Tuesday, June 24, 2008 | New York Observer | Topic: Housing
The newest plans for the Domino Sugar Refinery Building were approved this morning by the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC). The modified plan keeps the famous Domino Sugar sign as part of the complex, moving it to the roof of the Refinery Building. Incorporating recommendations from the LPC, the architecture firm, Beyer Blinder Belle, scaled back the size of the project resulting in a decrease of more than 20,000 square feet of residential space. Michael Lappin, the CEO of CPC Resources, a partner developer of the project, believes that this loss of residential square footage could affect their ability to develop the promised 660 affordable units.
Calls for Greater Transparency at Domino Sugar Development
Friday, May 30, 2008 | Brooklyn Papers | Topic: Housing
Assembly Member Joe Lentol (D-Williamsburg) is asking Community Preservation Corporation Resources, developer for the site surrounding the historic Domino Sugar plant in Brooklyn, to produce its financing plan for the development. The plan, which includes two thirty-story and two forty-story towers, raised Lentol's suspicions because of the project's magnitude. The developer defends the project's scale, citing the number of affordable housing rental units available.
Landmarks Commission Sends Domino Plans Back to Drawing Board
Tuesday, March 04, 2008 | Curbed | Topic: Historic Preservation & Landmarks
The Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) expressed concern with plans to add a glass addition to the Domino Sugar Factory, forcing the developers to reconsider their plans. The LPC felt that the design didn’t suit the Factory and was “too tall”. Many of the commissioners felt that it needed to be more industrial and “visionary.” No decision was made on the plan.
Domino Sugar Refinery Plans Draw Criticism at Hearing
Wednesday, February 06, 2008 | New York Times | Topic: Historic Preservation & Landmarks
The plans for the Domino Sugar Refinery renovations and additions were analyzed at a Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) meeting yesterday. Several preservationists criticized the plan’s addition of five glass floors on top of the existing structure as being too large and not in harmony with the current building. The developers argued that the addition was necessary to offset the costs of creating large numbers of affordable housing units and a waterfront park. Community groups spoke in favor of the project because of the inclusion of affordable housing. LPC members were also concerned with the lack of the famous sign in the current plans, and urged the developers to include in the final design.
Hearing to be Held Today to Review Domino Sugar Development Plans
Tuesday, February 05, 2008 | New York Sun | Topic: Historic Preservation & Landmarks
The Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) will consider plans for a development on the site of the former Domino Sugar Factory at a hearing today. The refinery, which was officially shut down in 2004, was designated a landmark last year. The developer, Community Preservation Corporation Resources (CPCR), hopes to construct a five story glass building on top of the Domino building. Another issue of concern will be the fate of the iconic Domino Sugar sign. The developer has yet to make a decision on the use of the sign. CPCR did not oppose the effort to landmark the building and now must get major changes to the building approved by the LPC.
Development Plans Unveiled for Domino Sugar Site
Friday, February 01, 2008 | New York Daily News | Topic: Land Use
Plans for redevelopment of the Domino Sugar Factory site were unveiled before Brooklyn’s Community Board 1 this week. CPC Resources Inc is developing the site and is planning 2200 residential units, of which 30% will be reserved for affordable housing. Parking spaces and retail opportunities were also included in the plan. Some members of the Community Board were concerned with the boxy design for the site. Plans will be examined by the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) since the factory was designated a landmark in 2007.
Domino Sugar Condo’s Gear Up for Landmarks Approval
Thursday, January 24, 2008 | Curbed | Topic: Historic Preservation & Landmarks
Since the Domino Sugar Factory was designated a landmark last year by the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC), development plans for new condos and other retail and commercial space must be approved by the Commission The plan for the site include building 2200 new apartments in buildings up to 40 stories high. The developer will present to the Community Board first before its hearing in early February with the LPC.
Domino Sugar Refinery May Set Precedent for Future Development
Wednesday, December 26, 2007 | The Real Deal | Topic: Land Use
The $1.2 billion Domino Sugar Refinery development, which will include historic preservation, affordable housing, and park space, is the first of its kind to take place in Brooklyn. Many believe that the success of this project could set the precedent for future development. Developers CPC Resources and Isaac Katan have indicated that they will set aside 30% of the units for affordable housing while preserving the character of the historic building. In addition, according to the city’s Department of Parks and Recreation, CPC and Katan have planned an esplanade and parkland along the water making it the “biggest swath of open parkland in Williamsburg.”
City Council Approves Domino Sugar Plant Landmarking
Tuesday, December 11, 2007 | Newsday.com | Topic: Historic Preservation & Landmarks
The City Council approved the landmarking of Brooklyn’s 1856 Domino Sugar Plant. The three buildings were recently slated for preservation by a unanimous vote by the Landmarks Preservation Commission and Planning Commission. The City Council decision officially protects the buildings from exterior alterations by the current owner, CPC Resources, which plans to renovate the buildings for market and affordable housing.
Domino Sugar Factory Will Exceed Affordable Housing Requirements
Monday, December 03, 2007 | Brooklyn Eagle | Topic: Economic Development
Michael Lappin, the president of the Community Preservation Corp., announced that the affordable housing in the Domino Sugar Refinery development will be more extensive than current levels required by zoning. Thirty percent of the units will be affordable (20% is required by the zoning), and the minimum income level will be lower than in other developments in the borough. The project will begin the seven-month ULURP process after it is certified in February or March.
Lobbyists Used By Domino-Site Developers
Monday, October 01, 2007 | New York Post | Topic: Finance
CPC Resources and Isaac Kataan, developers of the Domino Sugar Refinery site, paid roughly half-a-million dollars to lobbyists since 2005 in an effort to make their case for rezoning of the area. Lobbyists were retained to help influence the city's Planning Board, the City Council, and community boards to rezone the site for new residential development. Some question why developers do not have the resources to maintain the legendary Domino Sugar sign but are able to afford lobbyists. There are mixed feelings about the proposed development. Some support the additional affordable housing that will be built while others believe that the area cannot support a large influx of new residents.
Domino Sugar Refinery in Brooklyn is Designated a Landmark
Wednesday, September 26, 2007 | New York Times | Topic: Historic Preservation & Landmarks
The Landmarks Preservation Commission voted unanimously yesterday to approve the landmark status of the refinery, which consists of three joined buildings. The famous Domino Sugar sign and the building on which the sign is suspended were not granted this status. Plans to build 30 and 40 story apartment buildings on the land surrounding the site of the refinery will proceed, taking into consideration yesterday’s decisions.
Artists Hope to Create Art Mecca Out of Domino Sugar Factory
Tuesday, July 31, 2007 | New York Press | Topic: Economic Development
Brooklyn artists are eager to create an art museum out of the defunct Domino Sugar Factory similar to London’s Tate Modern, an art museum located in a former power plant in London. They believe that like the Tate, which is credited with creating hundreds of jobs and enormous economic benefits for London, the Domino Sugar Factory could bring similar prosperity to Williamsburg. Despite the talk, there have been no plans or funding proposed for the project.
Plans for the "New Domino" Revealed
Wednesday, July 25, 2007 | New York Sun | Topic: Housing
Plans for the “New Domino” were revealed yesterday. The 11.2-acre proposal includes 2,200 housing units, of which 660 (30%) are to be affordable housing available below market rate. The proposal also includes 120,000 square-feet of retail space and 100,000 square feet of communal space. The redevelopment is expected to take up to eight years to build, cost up to $1.3 billion, and generate 550 new jobs.
Draft Plans for Domino Sugar Factory Revealed
Tuesday, July 03, 2007 | Curbed | Topic: Land Use
Initial plans for redevelopment of the Domino Sugar Plant in Brooklyn have recently been revealed. “The New Domino” would include nine new residential towers, five of which would be over 300 feet tall. The main Domino Refinery building would be surrounded by the residential towers and likely renovated for mixed use. All other buildings on the site are expected to be demolished to accomplish the developers plans. The primary form of transportation for residents is expected be a water taxi, although shuttles would likely be provided to the closest subway stations.
Affordable Housing at Domino Sugar Apartments Gains Support
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 | New York Times | Topic: Housing
Plans for “The New Domino” appeared to be largely accepted by residents at yesterday’s public hearing, according to the New York Times. The project’s plan calls for preservation of the old Domino Sugar refinery’s exterior walls, while transforming the interior into apartments. Demolishing some smaller exterior buildings will provide space for 2,200 apartments, about 660 of which will be for families of low to moderate incomes, meeting what residents said was their top priority for the project. Some preservationists however are calling for an extension of the landmark designation beyond the main building. The Landmark Preservation Commission will be voting on the site’s landmark status at a later meeting.
Brooklyn Waterfront One of Nation's Most Endangered Historic Areas
Friday, June 15, 2007 | New York Daily News | Topic: Historic Preservation & Landmarks
The northern waterfront of Brooklyn, including the Greenpoint Terminal Market and the Brooklyn Army Terminal, has been placed on the list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places. The National Trust for Historic Preservation has called for efforts to combine historic preservation with development, mimicking efforts in TriBeCa and SoHo where historic factories are either still in use or the buildings are preserved but used for other purposes. With increased freight traffic expected for the New York Harbor the waterfront area may be in high demand for redevelopment, leading to additional concern about the loss of historic sites.
Domino Sugar Factory a Historic Landmark?
Monday, June 04, 2007 | Gowanus Lounge | Topic: Historic Preservation & Landmarks
Preservationists and developers are arguing whether or not the Domino Sugar Refinery in Williamsburg should be landmarked as a historic building. Community Preservation Corporation Resources is supposed to develop the property along with Isaac Katan and supports a landmark designation for the property. However, preservationists want a much broad designation, including a building which the developer is likely to try to rezone for housing.
Concert To Protect Domino Sugar
Wednesday, May 30, 2007 | Brooklyn Downtown Star | Topic: Historic Preservation & Landmarks
A free concert aiming to raise public support for the preservation of the Domino Sugar Factory in Williamsburg is taking place this Sunday, June 3rd. The factory is targeted for demolition for the further development of the Brooklyn waterfront, and an effort to get landmark status for the factory is underway.
Life After the Sugar
Sunday, October 01, 2006 | New York Times | Topic: Economic Development
The Waterfront Preservation Alliance of Greenpoint and Williamsburg formally asked for Landmark status for the Domino Sugar Factory, setting the stage for Brooklyn's next big historic preservation fight.
Yet More Change In WIlliamsburg
Friday, September 15, 2006 | Brooklyn Rail | Topic: Economic Development
Community Preservation Corporation Resources, Inc. (CPCR), is seeking a zoning change for the unused space, similar to that which was approved farther north on the waterfront. The developer’s intent is to construct an enormous mixed-use complex and incorporate the least amount of historic preservation for which it can lobby successfully.
Residential Developer Buys Domino
Thursday, July 01, 2004 | New York Times | Topic: Finance
C.P.C. Resources, the development arm of the Community Preservation Corporation, a lending consortium of banks and insurance companies, and Brooklyn developer Isaac Katan, have bought the land and the buildings at the former Domino Sugar factory in Williamsburg. However, city officials said they were committed to finding an industrial reuse for the site.