Final Press Release 7.18.2014 3-30 PM
-
Upload
brooklyn-heights-blog -
Category
Documents
-
view
3 -
download
0
description
Transcript of Final Press Release 7.18.2014 3-30 PM
People for Green Space Foundation, Inc. 1 Metrotech, Suite 1704, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Contact: Lori Schomp
(917) 627 0754 [email protected]
**********FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE **********
PARK ADVOCACY GROUP WINS COURT ORDER TO HALT HOUSING PLAN ON PIER 6 WITHIN THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE PARK
Victory reflects the community’s reasonable request for a responsible planning process Friday, July 18, 2014 – People for Green Space Foundation, Inc., a not-‐for-‐profit park advocacy group, secured a Kings County Supreme Court temporary restraining order (TRO) today to halt any final approval of the housing development planned next to the playground on Pier 6 of the Brooklyn Bridge Park. In Judge Lawrence Knipel’s decision, Brooklyn Bridge Park personnel are restrained and enjoined from approving by final action proposals submitted by developers in response to a request for proposals (RFP) to develop a 315 foot high tower and a second, 155 foot high story tower on Pier 6 within the Brooklyn Bridge Park. The RFP was issued in May and is due back on Monday, July 21st. The suit was brought by Abrams, Fensterman, Eisman, Formato, Ferrara & Wolf, LLP, led by partner Frank Carone, on behalf of People for Green Space Foundation, Inc. Lori Schomp, a petitioner in the legal action, said, “We need a smart planning process. The decade old data behind the park’s original plan does not reflect Brooklyn’s tremendous transformation or the park’s new status as a destination for all of Brooklyn, all of New York City. Old data only makes for bad decisions.”.” “Planning must take into account current circumstances, and new consideration must now be given to what Brooklyn needs in terms of park space and services to accommodate park visitors as well as school, traffic and other infrastructure challenges faced by local residents. We also need to understand the park’s role and potential for fostering healthy communities.” Schomp continued, “I support the mayor’s visionary efforts on affordable housing; however, putting additional luxury housing—even with an affordable component—
in the Brooklyn Bridge Park takes away public green space from all of the people of Brooklyn. Parks are different. Public green space becomes ever more precious as we build a higher, denser and more affordable city everywhere else.”
Martin Hale, Chairman of People For Green Space Foundation, Inc., said, “We are encouraged by the Judge’s order because it validates what community associations throughout the area have been saying for over a decade. That is, we need open space for our children as much as we need schools, libraries, and hospitals. Parks need to be parks, first and foremost, and we need to get back to planning a great park.” Hale continued, “The 2000 master plan for the Brooklyn Bridge Park had no housing on pier 6, and instead included a ‘major promenade and gateway’ where a ‘signature vertical element, such as a water fountain, helps define the gateway.’ There is a tremendous opportunity to create an entrance befitting this iconic park and to leave a legacy for all of the kids of Brooklyn and of the broader metro area today and in the future.” People for Green Space Foundation, Inc. is a newly formed not for profit that will seek 501C status as a park advocacy group committed to open, public green space in New York City.
Community group "Save Pier 6" Sign the online petition: bit.ly/SavePier6
Twitter @BilldeBlasio #SavePier6
###
Attachment: Rendering of Planned New Development