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NYguy

Apr 4, 2017 1:33 PM

NEW YORK | 80 Flatbush (2 Towers) | 840 FT / 510 FT | 74 & 38 FLOORS

http://ny.curbed.com/2017/4/3/151693...oy-80-flatbush

Massive Downtown Brooklyn project will include 900 apartments, schools, cultural space
The two-tower development will pierce the skyline but bring needed public infrastructure to the neighborhood

https://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/qlh...ush_Avenue.jpg

BY ZOE ROSENBERG
APR 3, 2017

Quote:

Alloy Development has revealed a plan to bring two schools, a cultural institution, office space, retail, and 900 mixed-income apartments to a full-block site at the confluence of Boerum Hill, Downtown Brooklyn, and Fort Greene. The project, known as 80 Flatbush, was conceived of by the development company as a response to a critical need for new public infrastructure in the area, and is also a reaction to the booming local real estate market. “Downtown Brooklyn has been growing quickly but there hasn’t been a lot of public infrastructure,” Jared Della Valle, CEO of Alloy, told Curbed. “This is an opportunity to be critical of what’s built and its specific context.”

The triangular site that’s bound by Third, State, and Schermerhorn streets and Flatbush Avenue will be built out over two phases. In addition to a 38-story residential building, the first phase will include two schools—a 350-seat elementary school and a new 350-seat location for the site’s existing Khalil Gibran International Academy, which currently holds 260 seats in a building constructed in 1860 as a Civil War infirmary. The schools are expected to welcome students by 2022.

The former Civil War infirmary, however, will not be razed for the new development. “The idea that we would start fresh and wipe out the whole block was not a good proposition,” Della Valle told Curbed. He says that Alloy has been quietly approaching neighbors of the site for months, gathering intel on what kind of change they would, and would not, like to see in the neighborhood. “In order to build to this scale, there needs to be a public benefit that comes with that,” Della Valle says.

One of the biggest expressions from neighbors the firm noted is preservation of the site’s historic structures. To that end, Alloy plans to convert the existing Khalil Gibran Academy—the former Civil War infirmary—into a 15,000-square-foot cultural facility that Alloy hopes will act as an extension of the BAM Cultural District across Flatbush Avenue. An RFP will determine what will eventually come to the site, but Della Valle notes that what will be chosen will be “nothing that’s competitive with, but something that’s synergistic to” the surrounding cultural institutions.

The second of the site’s buildings that will be preserved in the new complex is at the corner of Third Avenue and Schermerhorn Street. The late 19th-century building will give way to retail space for the neighborhood and amenity space for the residential occupants. “It's rare for a developer to come to us for feedback in the earliest stages of a project,” Peg Breen, president of the New York Landmarks Conservancy, said in a statement. “This project shows that development and preservation can work together and that investing in historic buildings makes economic sense.”

To bring 900 mixed-income apartments and 200,000-square-feet of Class A office space to the neighborhood, Alloy will have to build up. In addition to the 38-story, 480-foot tower of phase one, the plan calls for a 74-story, 920-foot tower that will be home to market rate apartments, the complex’s 200 below-market rate apartments, and office space. This will be part of the project’s second phase, which is expected to be complete by 2025.

Alloy is working with the Educational Construction Fund, a state-run entity that helps fund the development of new schools in New York City, to develop the properties. Della Valle notes that the city will not be funding this project. Instead, revenue created by the non-school portions of the project will pay for the bonds floated by the state to build the schools.

“This is a meaningful investment for our students, their families and the entire school community,” Khalil Gibran’s principal Winston Hamann said in a statement. “The new state-of-the-art facilities will provide an incredible opportunity for students to learn, grow and thrive, and allow us to remain devoted to serving this wonderful community for many years to come."

Similarly, the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership is on board with the development. “This is exactly the type of project Downtown Brooklyn needs: one that delivers critically needed schools, along with cultural facilities, affordable housing and Class A office space," Regina Myer, President of the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, said in a statement. "Downtown Brooklyn should grow intelligently, and I hope this project sets a template for the future.”

https://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/KKL...h_Avenue.0.jpg

NYguy

Apr 4, 2017 1:38 PM

Website:

http://www.80flatbush.com/

http://www.80flatbush.com/images/Aer...ush-Avenue.jpg

Crawford

Apr 4, 2017 1:43 PM

Wow, another huge project for downtown BK. Looks good, and nice to see schools and cultural facilities as part of the project.

As a nearby resident with a baby, there is serious school overcrowding in this part of BK.

NYguy

Apr 4, 2017 1:53 PM

Resized images...

http://m1.i.pbase.com/o10/06/102706/...FUrWJQK.r2.JPG

http://m3.i.pbase.com/o10/06/102706/...PFRMv1C.r1.JPG

http://m4.i.pbase.com/o10/06/102706/...qkPtYSa.r3.JPG

This will be bigger than the 590 Atlantic proposal, building a nice closter along Flatbush.

http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/164941143

NYguy

Apr 4, 2017 1:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crawford (Post 7761925)

http://m5.i.pbase.com/o10/06/102706/...TbG.school.JPG

Because I like aerials, a larger expanded view. At the very bottom is the site of 590 Atlantic Avenue, another major development for BK.
If they could add that to the rendering, as well as the towers that will rise just accross the Manhattan Bridge, you get another idea of just
how much the skyline is expanding.

http://m6.i.pbase.com/o10/06/102706/...wV.r1Large.JPG

TREPYE

Apr 4, 2017 3:54 PM

Another boxy square top that is hundreds of feet tall. With regards to its façade, I could not think of a worse muse than 432 Park Ave; the low standard in supertall design.

NYguy

Apr 4, 2017 4:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TREPYE (Post 7762097)

Another boxy square top that is hundreds of feet tall. With regards to its façade, I could not think of a worse muse than 432 Park Ave; the low standard in supertall design.

I don't think it looks anything at all like 432 Park Avenue. I do like the facade of the smaller tower better. The taller tower looks more office than residential (both will have a small office component).

I love that this development is so close to transit (multiple subway lines and the LIRR), so no need for bulky parking podiums at the base. It really is a small footprint for everything involved, keeping with the density of the area..

Zerton

Apr 4, 2017 5:31 PM

I love it. Sometimes with a simple move like that angled wall a building becomes so much more interesting. The materials look quality also.

vandelay

Apr 4, 2017 5:35 PM

Downtown Brooklyn's architecture is creeping slowly out of the bargain basement. Still an uninspired design, but better than the garbage of the past decade.

NYguy

Apr 4, 2017 9:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vandelay (Post 7762225)

Downtown Brooklyn's architecture is creeping slowly out of the bargain basement. Still an uninspired design, but better than the garbage of the past decade.

I agree with that also. The design is not something to make me jump out of my seat, but the development as a whole is something to be excited about. The maturing of the area into something it should have been all along is exciting to see. I do like the twist of the tallest tower, which is what grabs the eye when you look at it.

http://www.politico.com/states/new-y...rooklyn-110965

Massive, mixed-use development planned for Downtown Brooklyn
Schools, housing, retail and office space, cultural center proposed

By SALLY GOLDENBERG
04/03/17

Quote:

A massive, mixed-use project that would reshape the Brooklyn skyline is being proposed along Flatbush Avenue, adjacent to Atlantic Terminal.

Brooklyn-based Alloy Development plans to build two new schools, 900 housing units, 200,000 square feet of Class A office space, 40,000 square feet of retail and a 15,000 square-foot cultural center. If the project is approved as proposed, one of the residential towers on the 61,400-square-foot site would stand at 920 feet, making it one of the tallest in the borough.

The project, known as 80 Flatbush, was unveiled to reporters Monday afternoon ahead of a public meeting at Brooklyn Borough Hall, where City Councilman Steve Levin and a group he convened were being briefed on the plans. The developer will need Levin's support to rezone the site.

Levin did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Alloy's proposal sprung from a city request seeking plans to redevelop the Khalil Gibran International Academy on Schermerhorn Street.

Recognizing an opportunity to do more than just rehabilitate an aging school building, the company bought up surrounding sites as it drew up a far more dramatic blueprint for the area.

The school would be replaced by a more modern building that could hold 350 students, more than the 260 or so who attend Khalil Gibran, Alloy representatives said. A second elementary school on State Street would house another 350 students. Both are expected to be in operation by 2022, assuming the lengthy approval process for the rezoning gets underway this fall as planned.

Alloy CEO Jared Della Valle said the existing buildings housing Khalil Gibran students were built in the late 1800s and do not have a gymnasium or auditorium.

"It's so important that KGIA (Khalil Gibran International Academy) has the facilities that it needs for students to thrive, and we're deeply appreciative that this project will provide that," Rawaa Nancy Albilal, president and CEO of the Arab American Family Support Center, said in a statement released by Alloy.

The housing units would be rented to tenants earning a range of incomes: 700 would be rented at market-rate and 200 would be restricted to those earning, on average, 60 percent of the area median income, Della Valle said. He said he does not expect to receive any city subsidy for the rent-restricted units, but is banking on the revival of the 421-a property tax break.

The Educational Construction Fund, an arm of the city's Department of Education, is the applicant for the project.

"We remain dedicated to identifying opportunities to support aging schools and helping to create additional capacity for New York City public school students without using capital dollars," Jennifer Maldonado, executive director of the fund, said in a statement.

Alloy would not release the project's overall price tag, but Della Valle said the schools would cost about $100 million.

The city would turn over the portion of the site it owns to the developer in a 99-year ground lease, and Alloy would pay rent and other tax-equivalent fees to the city to support bonds for the construction of the schools. Della Valle did not disclose the amount in rent or other payments, saying he is "under a confidential agreement with the city."

The project would appear to meet a number of community needs, though nearly every major rezoning in the city is met with some measure of community resistance.

"There's always anxiety about development and change and all those things, but our feeling is, if every public project came with a public school or a hospital or some other need, we wouldn't be talking about that," Della Valle said. "If not here, where? It's not like we're in the middle of nowhere. We're at the intersection of Flatbush and Atlantic."

Letter from Alloy:

http://m7.i.pbase.com/o10/06/102706/...7olNRCk.l1.JPG
http://m8.i.pbase.com/o10/06/102706/...jvPbDcu.l2.JPG
http://m9.i.pbase.com/o10/06/102706/...wfN9p2q.l3.JPG

The Plan:

http://m9.i.pbase.com/o10/06/102706/...14pGxFL.r4.JPG

http://m0.i.pbase.com/o10/06/102706/...85wWsZa.r5.JPG

chris08876

Apr 4, 2017 10:07 PM

Now this is a project that can help build the community. Has a hell of an offer with schools, culture space, 900 apartments, infrastructure improvements, and Class A space. :cheers:

A lesson to other developers hint hint!

Schools and infrastructure improvements are like seroquel to a NIMBY. It just makes them happy.

NYguy

Apr 4, 2017 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris08876 (Post 7762527)

Schools and infrastructure improvements are like seroquel to a NIMBY. It just makes them happy.

I'm sure some will still come out against it when they start the approvals process. They'll make a little noise. Complain about the tower's height, etc. But like the massive tower on the Upper Eastside, its a big win for the city.

I think the tallest tower strikes a balance with 9 DeKalb. I wouldn't want a similar tower at this site. The difference in designs allows the two towers to play well off each other.

citybooster

Apr 4, 2017 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYguy (Post 7762539)

I agree totally... and kudos to the developers for beating the NIMBYs to the punch with an awesome educational/infrastructural element. Saving the old infirmary building too as a cultural destination... the taller one balances out with 9 DeKalb so well and great that both are not just meant for the superluxury end. It adds a little flair even if it is still kind of conservative with that twist on the taller one.Another thing to look forward too... Brooklyn isn't playing anymore!

dumbo

Apr 5, 2017 12:36 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7L21uZPAeBk

atlantic and flatbush is the most under utilized space in the city. Fantastic transit access, close to prospect park, lots of beautiful tree-lined brownstone-y streets and great restaurants and pubs.

chris08876

Apr 5, 2017 1:02 AM

Remember back in the day the whole Atlantic Yards debate regarding the Williamsburg Bank Tower and how ONLY it should be the tallest in the borough. Fast forward 6 years and look at whats to come, and... what has risen. Borough continues to climb the ladder.

NYguy

Apr 5, 2017 1:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dumbo (Post 7762723)

I agree. I always consider it to be like Penn Station in that regard.

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris08876 (Post 7762757)

A lesson on why you don't listen to knee-jerk NIMBYism.

sbarn

Apr 5, 2017 2:28 AM

This is a great project. However, it is a little concerning that it will need to go through ULURP to rezone the site.

NYguy

Apr 5, 2017 4:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbarn (Post 7762841)

This is a great project. However, it is a little concerning that it will need to go through ULURP to rezone the site.

Keep in mind this is a public project, and they've already been working with Landmarks. The affordable housing is there, as well as schools. There's nothing for NIMBYs to fall back on. There will be the usual noise, but they're already getting what they could reasonably ask for.

NYguy

Apr 7, 2017 3:18 AM

Knew these guys would be on it sooner or later...

http://atlanticyardsreport.blogspot....ject-huge.html

Proposed 80 Flatbush project a huge increase in bulk over Downtown rezoning; harbinger of Site 5 project?

https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Utkv3hiD1...00/80FBMap.jpg

https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CKHmANWVc...okingNorth.jpg

April 5, 2017

Quote:

Maybe the massive two-tower project proposed as 80 Flatbush, across from BAM, 300 Ashland, and Atlantic Terminal, a good idea. Maybe it's not.

It sure comes with velocity, a press release indicating support from the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, the Brooklyn Academy of Music, and even the New York Landmarks Conservancy.

But it's definitely a very big idea, 1.3 million gross square feet over two main buildings, one 920 feet tall, on a 61,000 square-foot plot of land bordered by Flatbush and Third avenues and Schermerhorn and State streets.

It would be the second-tallest building in Brooklyn. And the square footage means a Floor Area Ratio (FAR)--bulk as multiple of lot size--of 18. That would represent a dramatic increase from the current FAR of 6, which emerged from the 2004 Downton Brooklyn Rezoning, not to mention the maximum Downtown Brooklyn FAR of 12.

Given that dramatic shift--and some opacity regarding the financial aspects--it's not surprising this 80 Flatbush has been presented as a plan for a mixed-use development including two new public schools, market-rate and affordable housing, commercial and even cultural space.

The key elected official, Council Member Steve Levin, told Gothamist he's "eager to see what the public response is" and indicated his own leanings: "I would say that it is a somewhat different scenario than just a private development going for an 18-FAR because it has significant public benefit."

The site needs a spot rezoning, hearings under the Uniform Land Use Review Procedures (ULURP) and an environmental impact statement (EIS). Don't be surprised if the Council Member comes armed with some community "asks" and the developer pares back the proposal for a "win-win."

The headline in the press release was New York City Educational Construction Fund Selects Alloy Development to Build Two New Schools in Downtown Brooklyn. Indeed, the Educational Construction Fund, which finances and develops new public schools, chose Alloy after a response to request for expressions of interest.

What the press release didn't say is that Alloy was chosen to build the giant project announced. It hasn't. Rather, it proposed a project it believes economically viable.

Atlantic Yards echo?

For Atlantic Yards watchers, the development has echoes of the two-tower project floated--but not yet formally proposed--for Site 5, now home to P.C. Richard and Modell's, involving the shift of bulk approved for what's now the arena plaza across the street.

At 1.1 million square feet and up to 785 feet tall, the Site 5 project might be presented a slightly more modest than 80 Flatbush. Actually, given that the Site 5 project would be on a smaller plot, at 48,655 square feet, the FAR could exceed 22.

Both projects would, on one flank, border a narrow street with row houses: Site 5 bordering Pacific Street and 80 Flatbush bordering State Street. The Brooklyn Paper, identifying 80 Flatbush as "on the eastern edge of very low-rise Boerum Hill," suggested neighbors would oppose it.

“It’s a massive project,” Boerum Hill Association Howard Kolins said. “Virtually nothing (in the proposal) is a benefit for people living there. You have to brace yourself for a large high rise that you’d rather not be there.”

Actually, 80 Flatbush overlaps neighborhoods. While this New York Times article identifies the site as the northeast tip of Boerum Hill, it was included in the 2004 Downtown Brooklyn rezoning.

If the 80 Flatbush template proves successful, the developer of Site 5 might have to come up with some educational or cultural use to draw focus from the increase in bulk. While Site 5 is being promoted as an iconic office building--though some versions suggested would have more apartments--80 Flatbush would be predominantly residential, with 200,000 square feet of office space.

Structure of the deal

Such projects take a while. Alloy anticipates construction of 80 Flatbush starting no earlier than 2019, with Phase 1 (schools and smaller, triangular tower) finished by 2022 and Phase 2 (larger tower and rehabilitation of existing structures) not until 2025. There'd be 700 market-rate units and 200 affordable ones for low-income households earning 60 percent of Area Median Income, according to Politico.

ECF selected Alloy as the developer of the proposed project, and will be co-applicant with Alloy on the ULURP application. The proposal includes 120,000 gross square feet (gsf) of new schools, with the taller building 730,000 gsf and the smaller one 430,000 gsf.

(By the way, the 1,066-foot supertall tower planned near Junior's, the borough's tallest, would be relatively narrow and contain 556,164 square feet.)

Alloy, explained spokesman James Yolles, now owns about 75% of the site and New York City owns about 25%. Alloy has agreed to build two new schools (funded by bonds floated by ECF), build a 200,000 square foot residential portion--all market-rate--in the first tower, and lease that space for 99 years, with the ground rent and tax equivalency payments covering debt service on the bonds. The city would put up no capital funds.

Alloy CEO Jared Della Valle told Politico he would not disclose the amount his company would pay, saying he is "under a confidential agreement with the city." Yolles told me "Alloy is currently in active discussions with ECF around the project site."

The schools would be separate structures in the middle of the block. The lower school entrance would be on State State street, the high school on Flatbush Avenue, with shared facilities (cafeteria, gym) connecting them in the middle.

The obligation to ECF is satisfied once the schools and Non-School Portion are finished, Yolles said, but the "feasibility of the entire project is linked."

In a letter, Della Valle and colleague AJ Pires called "80 Flatbush is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to contribute to the borough’s identity," adding that talking with neighbors "helped us recognize that two existing buildings... merit preservation and incorporation into the master plan" and that a cluster of buildings would be superior to a "single building on a large podium." Easier to finance, too, I'd bet.

TREPYE

Apr 7, 2017 3:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYguy (Post 7762143)

I wasn't referring to the smaller tower I was referring to the taller one. The evenly-spaced square within a square is very much a 432 Park Avenue element and IMO its very unappealing and looks lazy no matter what material is used.

NYguy

Apr 7, 2017 4:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TREPYE (Post 7765617)

I know you were talking about the taller tower. I think that facade is no more similar to 432 Park than a typical glass facade building is to another. I think you're probably just used to that, so it's the first thing that comes to mind.

yankeesfan1000

Apr 8, 2017 6:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TREPYE (Post 7765617)

That tower won't be done until 2025, what we're seeing is most likely a place holder.

Crawford

Apr 8, 2017 6:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TREPYE (Post 7765617)

The taller tower doesn't look much like 432 Park.

In any case, I like 432 Park, and apparently so do buyers, and would be thrilled to see additional versions of 432 here in NYC.

NYguy

May 24, 2017 5:05 PM

https://ny.curbed.com/2017/5/24/1568...ce-80-flatbush

Downtown Brooklyn megaproject will include studio space for artists through BRIC partnership
The donated digs will allow BRIC to double the size of their visual arts residency

BY RACHEL SUGAR
MAY 24, 2017

Quote:

A rare bit of good news for artists in Brooklyn: in advance of its enormous project at 80 Flatbush—which also includes 900 mixed-income apartments, two public schools, and commercial space—Alloy Development is partnering up with BRIC to turn a vacant building at 505 State Street into free studio space for grantees of the arts organization’s visual arts residency program, BRICworkspace.

The program, now in its fourth year, provides a materials stipend, curator visits, and—most importantly here—gratis studio space for emerging and mid-career artists who “live, work, or were born in Brooklyn.” The newly donated digs will give the program space to double the number of artists in residence this summer, up to eight from the usual four, and will allow the program to take function year-round, according to a release announcing the year-long deal.

“As developers, we feel a responsibility to add to the cultural fabric of the neighborhoods we work in, which is why we’re excited to provide rent-free space on our site for BRIC's artist-in-residency program.” said Jared Della Valle, CEO of Alloy, in a statement. “BRIC has been a tremendous cultural asset to this neighborhood and borough for decades. We look forward to supporting their continued growth.” Regina Myer, president of the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, called the set up a “win-win for everyone.”

BRIC isn’t the only Brooklyn group Alloy has enlisted to “activate vacant spaces” on the 80 Flatbush site. Recess Assembly and Brooklyn Justice Initiatives are sharing the storefront at 370 Schermerhorn, which houses a workspace for local artists as well as classrooms for “an art-based diversion program for court-involved youth,” and last month, it was announced that local taco purveyor Jalapa Jar will be setting up a pop-up taqueria and “groceraunt” at 384 Schermerhorn in partnership with Brooklyn FoodWorks.

The developer also recently issued a call for submissions for a large mural project along Flatbush, and will be accepting artist proposals until June 12th.

chris08876

May 24, 2017 7:37 PM

Flatbush is becoming one of the most dynamic skyscraper canyon corridors in the whole city.

TREPYE

May 25, 2017 6:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crawford (Post 7766557)

The taller tower doesn't look much like 432 Park.

In any case, I like 432 Park, and apparently so do buyers, and would be thrilled to see additional versions of 432 here in NYC.

The buyers have the advantage of never having to look as that butt-ugly building. While the rest of us down here get our views of the skyline blemished with that frugal carptiteccture.

NYguy

May 25, 2017 9:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TREPYE (Post 7815228)

The buyers have the advantage of never having to look as that butt-ugly building. While the rest of us down here get our views of the skyline blemished with that frugal carptiteccture.

I'm sure many people feel the same way about 9 Dekalb, but to each his own I suppose. Personaly, I think this will be a nice balance to 9 Dekalb.

chris08876

May 25, 2017 11:04 PM

I'm wondering how much further the skyscraper canyon will expand from Dobro along Flatbush.

The avenue itself is blast to drive through, and take the Williamsburg Bridge onto the island.

Projects like this, outside of Manhattan excite me. They do more for the urban feel of the city than the current slew of skyscrapers u/c in Manhattan, because now, the towers are really sprouting outside the island and kinda make Manhattan seem like it expands over a larger area. I do hope to see a connection between DoBro and LIC along the waterfront and via Greenpoint. Essentially my hope of seeing skyscraper canyons flanking both the East and Hudson River on ALL sides.

NYguy

Jun 12, 2017 8:50 PM

https://www.cityrealty.com/nyc/downt...b-avenue/46911
https://img3.cityrealty.com/neo/i/p/...base_image.jpg

artspook

Jun 22, 2017 5:05 PM

wow ! Brooklyn's 2nd tallest is gonna be really tall ! . .
and it is a very nice one . . I'm not usually a fan of flattops . .
especially for the tallest peaks . . but it works fine on this one . .
(like with the old Twins, and Trump World Tower at (UN),
the UN Secretariat, Saarinen's CBS, and some others . . ) . .
the non-bulky proportions of the taller 80 Flatbush, . .
with that great angled midsection, . . and the punched individual windows,
which make the tower seem so traditionally "big-city" monumental . .
(like 30 Rock, 200 CPS, the PanAm/MetLife, etc) . .
But if the building gets value engineered like 2 & 3WTC, 3MW, CPT, . .
if the angle disappears, & individual windows give way to uniform curtain-wall glass . .
it'll be just more standard-issue intentional-negligence . .
but so far, in that dusky rendering, it looks pretty sexy . .

NYguy

Aug 28, 2017 9:16 PM

http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local...441766373.html

Brooklyn Residents Protest Huge Building Development

By Lori Bordonaro
August 25, 2017

Quote:

Residents in a quaint, townhouse-filled Brooklyn neighborhood are furious over a developer's plan to build the borough's tallest high-rise building in their backyard.

"The culture is gone," griped Boerum Hill resident Joseph Schneider, who's lived on his quiet tree-lined block for 40 years. Over the decades, he's seen many changes in his neighborhood -- the Barclays Center, new stores and new construction -- but a new proposal by Alloy Development to build a 74-story and a 38-story building across the street has shocked him.

"I knew it would happen sooner or later, but never expected something as massive as this is going to be," he said.

The development, being called 80 Flatbush, would take up a triangle block on Flatbush Avenue near State Street and Third Avenue, towering over part of the historic tree-lined neighborhood and blocking the view of the iconic Savings Bank clock.

The mixed-use space would also house a 350-seat elementary school and a new building for the Khalil Gibran International School.

"We believe that this is an opportunity to grow downtown Brooklyn responsibly, and to provide public benefits that will serve a diverse array of Brooklyn items in an area that is transit-rich and can support more density," Alloy said in a statement.

Under the NYC Educational Construction Fund, 15 private developments zoned for high-rises have been completed dating back to the 1970s. Earlier this year, the city teamed up with developer Avalon Bay to build a high-rise and three new high schools on East 96th Street.

The Department of Education said in a statement that the Educational Construction Find "is leveraging private funding to bring much needed public school seats to the area and provide the community with state-of-the-art school facilities to meet the needs of families."

But neighbors remained skeptical.

"Why the city needs to rely on corporate funds to finance schools boggles my mind," said Eileen Boxer. "What they are doing here is a political gesture to fill their pockets."

Dozens of Boerum Hill residents have signed a petition opposing the development. Alloy is expected to begin its official public review process at the end of the year.

The Department of Education says "community feedback is critical to this process and we will continue to engage with stakeholders throughout the course of the project."

chris08876

Aug 28, 2017 9:24 PM

At the end of the day, wouldn't corporate funds for things like schools, parks, and transportation work out better than via your own tax dollars?

Things typically involving government services draw upon tax dollars. The more private corps invest in your typical government services, the better!

So you give them schools, they complain. You give them parks, they complain. You reduce the height to allow for sunlight and increase their cancer risk, they complain.

They are miserable blokes and informal women at these protests.

binjakob

Aug 29, 2017 1:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris08876 (Post 7905803)

Give them gold, they complain.

Give them cash, they complain.

Give them eternal life, they complain.

It's no use to even trying to reason with them, they'll always complain.

NYguy

Aug 29, 2017 1:53 AM

Complain, complain, complain.

http://www.brooklynpaper.com/stories...-08-25-bk.html

The wrong fit: Super-tall, super-dense towers have no place in Boerum Hill, petition says

http://www.brooklynpaper.com/assets/...-07-bk01_z.jpg

BY LAUREN GILL
August 24, 2017

Quote:

The buildings are too damn high!

The developer planning to build two huge towers in Boerum Hill must downsize the high-rises to get city approval, a new petition that will be presented to officials in charge of greenlighting the project demands.

“It’s one tool in terms of communicating to our elected officials how people feel about this,” said Howard Kolins, president of civic group the Boerum Hill Association, which created the petition. “The consensus from most people is the project is just too big.”

The association plans to deliver the request, which had amassed 602 signatures by press time, to Councilman Steve Levin (D–Boerum Hill), Borough President Adams, and Community Board 2’s Land Use Committee — all of whom have a say in the development’s lengthy approval process — before each decides whether to allow builder Alloy Development to construct 74- and 38-story high-rises on a lot bounded by Flatbush Avenue, Third Avenue, and State Street, which is on the outskirts of the brownstone-lined nabe.

The super-tall towers are not in keeping with the low-rise enclave’s aesthetic, according to the petition.

“Any plan should be a ‘contribution to the neighborhood character,’ ” it reads.

The 80 Flatbush project also includes a new 350-seat elementary school and a new building for the Khalil Gibran International School, which already sits on the lot inside a crumbling structure that will be refashioned into a cultural center as part of the scheme.

But neighbors contend that they shouldn’t have to welcome skyscrapers to get new schools, arguing the additional seats won’t even put a dent in the area’s school-capacity crisis because the residential towers will just bring more families into the neighborhood.

The petition demands the education department identify more locations for classrooms that can accommodate the growing swathe of Brooklyn’s school-age population before the development moves forward. And Kolins said people are disappointed that it seems like the city can no longer fund schools without enlisting private help.

“The community feedback was a deep sense of regret that the city seems incapable of building schools without private support,” he said.

Residents are also calling for Alloy to remove loading docks on State Street from the plan, so locals don’t have to deal with truck congestion and trash. But a rep for the developer said they need to be installed to meet city zoning rules, and that Alloy is hoping it can convince officials to reduce the project’s loading requirements.

Locals also say the skyscrapers will block their views of the nearby Williamsburgh Savings Bank building, forcing neighbors who for decades have enjoyed picturesque views of the historic tower to hit the street just to catch a glimpse of it.

“That building is an icon and it now becomes more and more walled off and invisible for our neighbors looking that way,” Kolins said. “If you want to view it, you’ll have to stand in the middle of Fourth Avenue — and you’ll still see two towers.”

The civic group’s leader met with Alloy’s head honcho last week, and the developer has hosted several meetings with community members since announcing the towers, input from which will be used to shape the project, according to Alloy’s chief.

“We absolutely take the public input seriously and feel it will make for a better project,” said Jared Della Valle. “We continue to believe this is an opportunity to grow Downtown Brooklyn responsibly and provide a lot of public benefits in an area that is transit-rich and can support more density.”

But talking with the developer doesn’t mean his civic association is giving its seal of approval, according to Kolins, just that it wants a say in how the development ultimately turns out.

The city held a meeting in June to get locals’ feedback on the project’s environmental impact study, which examines how it will affect the surrounding community, and should be releasing the results of that assessment within the next week, Kolins said.

The public will then have time to respond before Alloy presents its plans to Community Board 2, which it plans to do in December, he said.

When are they holding the telethon for these people? Who will be the first to pledge?

Quote:

Locals also say the skyscrapers will block their views of the nearby Williamsburgh Savings Bank building, forcing neighbors who for decades have enjoyed picturesque views of the historic tower to hit the street just to catch a glimpse of it.

“That building is an icon and it now becomes more and more walled off and invisible for our neighbors looking that way,” Kolins said. “If you want to view it, you’ll have to stand in the middle of Fourth Avenue — and you’ll still see two towers.”

The horrors.

At least some of the people in the comments section get it...
http://www.brooklynpaper.com/stories...-08-25-bk.html

steyin

Aug 29, 2017 3:01 PM

They'll also have 570 Fulton down the block to worry about.

photoLith

Aug 29, 2017 3:05 PM

Skyscrapers don't belong in NYC!

Hamilton

Aug 29, 2017 5:13 PM

Bad news. Councilmember Steve Levin takes wealthy NIMBYs seriously. Has stopped much smaller projects with affordable housing in order to appease the rich NIMBY gentry:

https://therealdeal.com/2017/06/06/d...nity-backlash/

I would not be surprised if he sacrificed the new schools and hundreds of units of affordable housing in order to protect the views of a few brownstone millionaires.

yankeesfan1000

Aug 29, 2017 11:37 PM

I am always surprised that construction unions don't get on the opposite end of NIMBY push back. Is it just because there's so much work to go around already...?

chris08876

Aug 29, 2017 11:41 PM

I remember the Brooklyn Clock tower (One Hanson Place) arguement that it should be the tallest and remain the icon of Brooklyn.

Meanwhile, fast forward, and all of DoBro is a major skyscraper node. Back in the day, during the soft cost stage of Atlantic Yards aka Pacific Park, the NIMBY scum were spewing their Williamsburg Bank Tower rubbish. And they lost dramatically.

So in sum, lets not really worry. 9 Dekalb is rising, City Point Phase III (Tallest of the phases), and this will rise as well. Pacific Park is rising, and that was a major NIMBY war among developers. Again, they lost.

Just like they will lose with the LES towers.

NYguy

Aug 30, 2017 1:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hamilton (Post 7906514)

It's customary for the Council to side with the council member who's district any development would take place in.

Quote:

Tocci withdrew the application after local council member Steve Levin made it clear he would not back the project. The local community board and Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams had already rejected the proposal.

However, this is a different type of project, with different backing. The most they could hope for is a reduced height, similar to what went down on the upper eastside. The problem with that is the site is so small that the height is necessary to get the full development built. And there are already enough multiple developments going on nearby and planned that their arguments against anything tall have no merit.

chris08876

Aug 30, 2017 1:25 AM

Maybe they could bargain for a more affordable unit number in favor of the community. There is already a school being provided, and maybe a 10% increase in affordable units in exchange for the current height that is planned.

Or transit perks like investing in local transit or street improvements. Surely something to make the community "happy".

antinimby

Aug 30, 2017 7:08 PM

^ Those people don't care about affordable housing. In fact, they probably hate having more lower income people in their neighborhood.

These people are against the size and density of this project. Giving them anything else will not change that.

chris08876

Aug 30, 2017 10:19 PM

Hate to say it, but there are good NIMBYs. The ones who would be happy for fighting a development not because of the height, no, but because of the affordable component. The minute they pull that down sizing rubbish, they are now part of Chris's Axis of Evil. Ship them to Bikini Island, and then ratify the nuclear testing treaty of 1996 to allow for testing to occur.

Hint: Bikini Island use to be a testing ground

It's a win-win. Build towers that help our cities growth, and reduce NIMBY involvement. They always like to see sunlight, and what better way to see the sun than in a bright flash.

Just pitching ideas. My other one was to ship NIMBYS to Madagascar. That might be the environmentally, LEED friendly method.

aquablue

Aug 31, 2017 9:21 AM

They are against the size and density, but what's new. This is the same thing that most people are against in this country. Most people like small low-rise areas to live in and want to pretend they live in the country. Most people prefer the suburban life and that's why sprawl is rampant. Many people have a suburban mentality even when they live in megacities. They wouldn't last a second in Hong Kong which is far denser than even NY.

In some cases NIMBYS are useful and we could all be NIMBY's under the right circumstances, but come on, these towers are very impressive and must be built to give Brooklyn an architectural modern core.

NYguy

Sep 1, 2017 2:12 AM

https://thebridgebk.com/champion-dow...-all-together/

Downtown Brooklyn’s Champion Aims to Take It Up a Notch
How Regina Myer, president of the neighborhood's business partnership, plans to keep its remarkable growth on track

https://thebridgebk.com/wp-content/u...4200841846.jpg
Regina Myer, president of the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, photographed on the roof of The Gotham, on Ashland Place

By THE EDITORS
August 31, 2017

Quote:

3. What’s your position on big projects like 80 Flatbush Ave.?

I think the brilliance of that proposal is that the Alloy team realized the potential of that site. It’s a large site and it already has a school on the site, a 19th century school building, which is so charming. Alloy put together a proposal that really builds on those strengths, adding space for a second school, and respecting the historic nature the beautiful building on the corner. They also had the foresight to integrate Class A office space into the project, which, in addition to the other infrastructure the project will provide, will really meet a critical need downtown.

What I’d like to promote is that all these large sites should be developed to their potential in terms of mixed use. City Point leads in that way. The development team there also had a large site, a failing mall site. They understood the shopping potential, given its prominent location, but added residential and a modicum of office to that because they understood that this format makes sense.

4. Work has started on Brooklyn’s first supertall. What’s your take?

Well, for one, it’s a tremendously handsome building as designed right now. It’s wonderful to see that caliber of architecture, and to envisage it on Flatbush Avenue, obviously so careful in respecting the exterior and interior landmark of the Dime Savings Bank, the bedrock of Fulton Street. I think that the magic of that tower, though, is that it will be Brooklyn’s tallest. It really could be this phenomenal beacon on Flatbush Avenue. I’m a huge supporter of that project. I think we all feel that it will bring a lot of energy.

5. How hot is the business rivalry of Brooklyn vs. Manhattan?

I’ve lived in Brooklyn since 1991, so I personally think Brooklyn is a better place. [Laughs] But I don’t see this as a rivalry. I think the incredible strength of New York City is that we have great places and we have a lot of them, right? Even 20 years ago, we didn’t have Downtown Brooklyn the way we have it, but also we didn’t have a Flatiron District that was so active.

That’s the magic of New York City: this incredible evolution. But I do think Brooklyn is leading the nation in this idea of rebirth and this idea that coming back to the city can be an incredible, exciting thing to do. To continue to propel that is something that motivates all of us here at the partnership.

6. Not many big Manhattan firms have arrived here yet. Why not?

How could they move here if we don’t have the Class A space available for them? For a few years now we’ve been at a record low commercial-vacancy rate for the area. Right now we’re at around 3%. A main reason for that is the area is really lacking in Class A space. So we’re thrilled to see investment in projects like what Tishman Speyer is doing with the Macy’s space, and the ground-up office projects by the Rabsky Group and JEMB Realty. But even with that lack of space currently online, we’ve had some incredible talent coming to Brooklyn. West Elm, Etsy, Huge, now Gimlet Media, have all made Brooklyn home. I think that’s a pretty impressive roster. And when United Technologies feels the need to be near them, that’s interesting.

Obviously there’s a multitude of tenants who are relocating in Manhattan and we can’t compete for them all, but what we have that’s distinctly different is this subset of companies that really appreciate being in Dumbo and other parts of the Tech Triangle. And they are coming here because they love the culture of Brooklyn. They want to be near their employees or they want their employees to work close to home, or they want to make a statement that they are distinctly different. And that’s the magic to me of West Elm, that they have embodied this idea of Brooklyn in their national branding identity.

NYguy

Oct 10, 2017 1:20 PM

https://bklyner.com/brooklyn-artist-...latbush-mural/

Brooklyn Artist Katie Merz Chosen To Create 80 Flatbush Mural

https://i1.wp.com/bklyner.com/wp-con...96%2C522&ssl=1

By Pamela Wong
September 22, 2017

Quote:

Back in May, Alloy Development issued a call for submissions seeking an artist to create temporary large-scale murals on the exterior of its 80 Flatbush project. Earlier this month, the firm announced that Brooklyn artist Katie Merz was awarded the project.

Merz started work on 80 Flatbush (between State and Schermerhorn Streets) two weeks ago, covering the lower portion of the walls with her signature, bold, black-and-white graphics representing iconic images of Brooklyn’s past, present, and future.

The names of neighborhoods (Borough Park, Canarsie, Coney Island, Gowanus, Sheepshead Bay) and famous Brooklynites (Biggie Smalls, Foxy Brown, Mos Def, Spike Lee) are interspersed among basketball hoops, boomboxes, BAM, a Nathan’s hot dog, the Wonder Wheel, the Fort Greene monument, the 9th Street bridge, and the giant Goya can that used to be displayed on a billboard in Gowanus beside the BQE.

...“People are contributing ideas to the wall,” Merz told BKLYNER on Monday. “People are stopping by and being a part of my drawings.”

Her mural for 80 Flatbush is inspired by her surroundings as well as conversations she has with passersby, neighbors, and the staff at the NYC Human Resources Administration office who currently occupy the building.

“It’s a blast. I’m having so much fun it’s ridiculous,” she said. “I love the people in there [the employees in the building], they’re great. I’m taking their pictures. They’re giving me info about themselves that I’m putting up on the wall. They’re giving me copies of Brooklyn icons and emojis [that they want included]. Every time they come out, they have all these print-outs,” she says laughing.

https://i1.wp.com/bklyner.com/wp-con...96%2C522&ssl=1

http://www.brownstoner.com/brooklyn-...h-avenue-arts/

https://www.instagram.com/p/BY63noDlOzo/media?size=l

http://7p3nq48zas72j674m34vzol1.wpen...katie-merz.jpg

mrnyc

Nov 2, 2017 5:05 PM

soo cranky around the neighborhood!

http://i1340.photobucket.com/albums/...psju60gjaf.jpg

this was on bond st

antinimby

Nov 2, 2017 6:09 PM

No brownstone will be touched for this project. “Brownstone Brooklyn” isn’t in any danger. What are these irrational NIMBYs babbling about?

Kumdogmillionaire

Nov 2, 2017 7:22 PM

It's looks like a child's drawing lol

chris08876

Nov 2, 2017 10:27 PM

Yah can't win. No towers in Brooklyn, no towers in the Bronx, no towers in Manhattan... why don't we just not build towers anymore? In fact, there is the LIRR rail line, lets just stand right on it during rush hour so we don't have to see towers anymore or anything urban.

I'm often curious how these NIMBYS have time to protest during working hours? Don't they work like the rest of us civilized humans?

This project will be great for the area. Much needed units as DoBro continues to grow into a dynamic and world class neighborhood.

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