It seems like one step forward and two steps back for a proposal to develop two residential towers at Pier 6 in Brooklyn Bridge Park.
"A plan to construct two residential towers at Pier 6 in Brooklyn Bridge Park, a priority for Mayor Bill de Blasio's administration, has cleared two hurdles but is about to face a new, multi-pronged legal challenge," reports Sally Goldenberg.
Goldenberg details the political debate that led to the vote of approval by the board that oversees the riverfront park earlier this week. Adding to the political intrigue are donations by the developer of the project to the election campaign of Mayor Bill de Blasio, whose fundraising operation is under federal investigation. The article includes verbatim accounts of exchanges of the board hearing that led to the approval.
"Following the vote, an attorney for the Brooklyn Heights Association said he intends to file a lawsuit to block to project," reports Goldenberg in shifting the focus of the article to next steps. The legal controversy surrounding the project focuses on the project's revenue estimates, because a "plan for the waterfront area stipulates that residential development could only be constructed to pay for maintenance needs of the park." Also potentially t odds in a lawsuit are questions about the contract for the builder, RAL Development Services, the project's study into impacts on infrastructure, and the level of below market rate units included in the project.
FULL STORY: Lawsuit expected as controversial housing plan clears vote
Coming Soon to Ohio: The Largest Agrivoltaic Farm in the US
The ambitious 6,000-acre project will combine an 800-watt solar farm with crop and livestock production.
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
U.S. Supreme Court: California's Impact Fees May Violate Takings Clause
A California property owner took El Dorado County to state court after paying a traffic impact fee he felt was exorbitant. He lost in trial court, appellate court, and the California Supreme Court denied review. Then the U.S. Supreme Court acted.
Divvy Introduces E-Bike Charging Docks
New, circular docks let e-bikes charge at stations, eliminating the need for frequent battery swaps.
How Freeway Projects Impact Climate Resilience
In addition to displacement and public health impacts, highway expansions can also make communities less resilient to flooding and other climate-related disasters.
California Grid Runs on 100% Renewable Energy for Over 9 Hours
The state’s energy grid was entirely powered by clean energy for some portion of the day on 37 out of the last 45 days.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.