We need to make these sites into assets for the community. Many of these developments are causing real hazards for their neighbors, with fences falling down on sidewalks, loose construction debris that can become deadly in high winds, and unsecured sites that are dangerous for children and an invitation to squatting.
Help the effort to convert local blight to community benefit by providing feedback and tracking the progress of each site.
Leave comments below on a individual site to update us on the conditions. If you call 311 about an issue, please leave a complaint number in the comment.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
340 Court Street, Carroll Gardens
(between Union and Sackett Streets)
Project Type: New building
Project Description: Demolition of Long Island College Hospital building (former International Longshoremen’s Association health center) and construction of a 7 story residential building and 11 townhouses
Status: Stalled construction site. Hole remains. Foundation in place.
Background: The Clarett Group bought the former LICH/ILA building in 2007 in order to demolish it and build the “Collection at Court Street,” consisting of a 7 story condo building facing Court and Union Streets and a set of small-scale townhouses and single-family condos on the Union Street and Sackett Street sides. Neighbors coalesced to oppose the building on the grounds that the Court/Union section is too tall for the neighborhood. The design was also controversial; though the community was pleased about the townhouses, the frontage of the larger building facing Court Street was considered too bulky and a color (grey) that is out-of-context with the general neighborhood (although an older out-of-context building owned by the Mormon church is across the street).
The demolition was undertaken and a significant portion of the foundation for the main building was installed. Clarett hit financial trouble and halted the project in November 2008. There were early complaints about the condition of the site, but the developer removed equipment, cleaned the site and removed the sidewalk sheds in order to remove street parking restrictions. In April 2009 it was declared Stalled, with part of the lot at grade and part with a foundation and slab with subsurface walls shored by metal rakers.
The Carroll Gardens/Columbia Waterfront Contextual Rezoning was approved in October 2009, and the main building would be slightly taller than the maximum allowed. Clarett appealed to the Board of Standards and Appeals. The Community Board endorsed the application, and BSA approved it in February 2010. The developer renewed the building permits but has no immediate plans to restart the project. The site remains in good shape, is well-lit and secure. The developer has been meeting with DOB's Stalled Sites Unit and submitted a Safety Monitoring Plan.
Project Type: New building
Project Description: Demolition of Long Island College Hospital building (former International Longshoremen’s Association health center) and construction of a 7 story residential building and 11 townhouses
Status: Stalled construction site. Hole remains. Foundation in place.
Background: The Clarett Group bought the former LICH/ILA building in 2007 in order to demolish it and build the “Collection at Court Street,” consisting of a 7 story condo building facing Court and Union Streets and a set of small-scale townhouses and single-family condos on the Union Street and Sackett Street sides. Neighbors coalesced to oppose the building on the grounds that the Court/Union section is too tall for the neighborhood. The design was also controversial; though the community was pleased about the townhouses, the frontage of the larger building facing Court Street was considered too bulky and a color (grey) that is out-of-context with the general neighborhood (although an older out-of-context building owned by the Mormon church is across the street).
The demolition was undertaken and a significant portion of the foundation for the main building was installed. Clarett hit financial trouble and halted the project in November 2008. There were early complaints about the condition of the site, but the developer removed equipment, cleaned the site and removed the sidewalk sheds in order to remove street parking restrictions. In April 2009 it was declared Stalled, with part of the lot at grade and part with a foundation and slab with subsurface walls shored by metal rakers.
The Carroll Gardens/Columbia Waterfront Contextual Rezoning was approved in October 2009, and the main building would be slightly taller than the maximum allowed. Clarett appealed to the Board of Standards and Appeals. The Community Board endorsed the application, and BSA approved it in February 2010. The developer renewed the building permits but has no immediate plans to restart the project. The site remains in good shape, is well-lit and secure. The developer has been meeting with DOB's Stalled Sites Unit and submitted a Safety Monitoring Plan.
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PLEASE PLEASE retsart this project. Nothing is mentioned that the fence around this project takes up at least half the sidewalk on one of the busiest streets in brooklyn ( Court Street) . This has been an eyesore for over 2 years!!!
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