Uninvited Publicity

I wish to be clear about my position on the proposed development at Pier 6 adjacent my home at 1 Brooklyn Bridge Park as this 'piece', along with mentions in curbed ny and other recent commentary written by the Gothamist, even Ms. Robbin's ramblings in the NY Times - author of this weekends conversation-igniter - seems more contexomy than journalism. Mr. Colon, in fact, seems rather proud of his abilities to write editorial between "drunk tweets . . .  and . . . listening to arguments drift in through [his[ window". 

I am NOT opposed to development at Pier 6 in Brooklyn Bridge Park, nor am I the resident "Gladiator" out to lead the resistance of "dunderheads"  (the office reference is lost here) against an "incursion of housing" in our community. A Landscape Architect by profession, I am a designer and lover of Parks and Public Space as part of smart development and urban design. I am also NOT opposed to living within a culturally, ethnically, and socio-economically diverse environment. In fact, this is exactly why I moved to Brooklyn from the Upper East Side of Manhattan.

I AM, however,  skeptical of political ambition that flies in the face of due diligence and careful re-examination of a public space that has exceeded anyone's expectations in its use and popularity. Also of concern to me is the safety and accessibility of all people that live in the neighbourhood and the greater borough. If you've been to Pier 6 on a weekend you know exactly how congested chaotic the area can become.

To me there seems to  be some lack of transparency around the financial needs of the Parks operational and capital budgets as they related to the potential funding to be garnered from the development at Pier 6. As BBP Corp presentation documents reveal there appears to be a financial deficit that 100% market rate housing at Pier 6 won't  be able to mitigate. To further increase this deficit through lack of contribution would be fiscally irresponsible, wouldn't it? That is unless there is an astounding outcry from the broader Brooklyn community to open their wallets to ensure this Park remains as enjoyable tomorrow as it is today. According to some sources BBP may actually have a resulting surplus of funds. Somewhere within the ledger is the answer we'd like confirmed. Further, how long might that surplus last and would the City be willing to step in and help cover any future shortfall? I'm certain a equal and opposite reaction to tax-increases would be vocalized by  more than the "elite few" at Brooklyn Bridge Park.

Is there such a rush to build affordable housing at the sake of  renewed assessment of the proposed developments influence on all aspects of the community, including access to public education (another of the mayor's top priorities)? With any luck there is less so than the apparent urgency of this weekends slanderous 'commentators' ("journalists") to defame my family name.

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