[NYguy]

Back home to some sort of exciting news...



http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/19/ny...ower.html?_r=0

Plan to Redevelop South Street Seaport Includes Marina and 50-Story Tower






By CHARLES V BAGLI
November 18, 2013

South Street Seaport, an often-neglected corner of Manhattan dedicated to enshrining New York’s seafaring past, has been battered by storms, recessions and poor management.

Now, there is a proposal for a major redevelopment of the cobblestone streets, 19th-century brick buildings and piers that would include the reconstruction of the landmark Tin Building and the addition of a marina and a 50-story hotel and apartment tower.

The Howard Hughes Corporation, which controls the seaport under a lease with the city, says it wants to enliven the area and establish a destination for both tourists and New Yorkers.

It is unclear how a glassy tower on the north side of Pier 17 would fit into the historical fabric of the area, but Howard Hughes contends that the building would be the “economic engine” that would allow for the rehabilitation of the crumbling piers and nearby buildings.

The proposal, the company said, will include a still-to-be-determined rescue plan for the financially ailing Seaport Museum, and the sailing ships at Pier 17, which are slowly sinking into the East River.

“The re-envisioned seaport district will transform the piers’ iconic waterfront setting into a vibrant, highly engaging area,” said David R. Weinreb, chief executive of Howard Hughes, “while providing a critical catalyst for the revitalization of Lower Manhattan.”

The company is to unveil its preliminary plan for the first time on Tuesday to local residents and members of Community Board 1, which includes the seaport.

The company’s proposal must be approved by the Landmarks Preservation Commission and the City Council before construction can start.

Catherine M. Hughes, chairwoman of Community Board 1, said she was glad to finally see the developer’s master plan, which appears to have met many of the community’s concerns. “We understand that in order for it to succeed and provide community amenities it needs to be economically viable,” she said.

Councilwoman Gale A. Brewer, who was recently elected Manhattan borough president and will take office in January, said she had reservations about the height of the apartment tower.

Before Howard Hughes, General Growth Properties controlled the lease at the Seaport and in 2008 initiated its own plan for redeveloping the area, including a 42-story apartment tower. That plan was rejected by the landmarks commission before the company went into bankruptcy.

.....“Like it or not, the whole city is a festival market now,” said Gregg Pasquarelli, a principal at SHoP Architects, who is working on the plan for Howard Hughes. “We want to get New Yorkers to come to the seaport, where there’ll be unique shops and history. The tourists will come anyway.”