Why Care

What you need to know about the impact of the 18-story development proposed for dock street at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge.

Two Trees, LLC has proposed an 18-story development (Dock Street) to be built at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge. In its current configuration, the building is set to be double the height of the Bridge and will dramatically affect the NYC skyline. Current zoning laws prohibit out-of-scale, high density, buildings of more than 8 stories to be built in this recently landmarked district. If this proposal receives approval, it will set a precedent for other out-of-character buildings to be built in and around this district.

To persuade legislators and residents that rezoning would be good for neighborhood, Two Trees has proposed offering 2 floors within the building for a Middle School (along with 1 floor of retail space, 4-6 floors of low-income housing, a subterranean garage, and the remaining 9-11 floors of high-end rental apartments).

Whether you’re a resident of the surrounding districts, live or work in NYC, have an affinity for NY, or simply want to preserve an historic monument and one of the worlds most iconic vistas, your support is needed to oppose the Dock Street Project.

Q: Skyscrapers are the cornerstone of progress and of NYC’s skyline. Why is Dock Street such a problem?
A: There are few man-made structures with has much historic and artistic significance as the Brooklyn Bridge. Destroying the skyline and/or the views of and from the Bridge would irreparably tarnish one of the most visited, photographed and recognizable treasures the world over – for New Yorkers, artists, historians, and visitors – which will affect property values, commercial business, and tourist revenue, not to mention spoil one of America’s most valued treasures.

Q: I don’t live in or around DUMBO. Why should I care?
A: Destroying an historic district with unique character that brings NYC needed revenue from tourists, commercial filming, and business traffic is not good for anyone. Not to mention the potential security and terrorist threat of building anything at the foot of one of the world’s most recognizable monuments.

Q: I live in the neighborhood, but don’t have Brooklyn Bridge Views. Will this affect my property values?
A: Whether you have views of the Bridge or not, property values are determined by comparing the value of other units sold in a particular building or neighborhood. Any devaluation in and around DUMBO as a result of the defamation of this historic cityscape, as well as the destruction of our landmarked district, will definitely bring down values for everyone in the neighborhood. Also, if Two Trees gets a zoning variance, it will open up the floodgates for other developers to build out-of-scale buildings that could pop up in front of other buildings and would further devalue and spoil the unique character of the neighborhood.

Q: Won’t this or any development have a positive effect on our neighborhood?
A: DUMBO has recently been landmarked, acknowledging the historic value of the neighborhood. Any development in and around the neighborhood should be responsibly designed and be in accordance with the district’s character and scale. Also, our neighborhood infrastructure (subways, streets, services) may not be able to accommodate the increase in cars, residents, stores, visitors, students, teachers, school buses, traffic, increased crime, vandalism, and waste that would come with a 300 unit building, garage, and Middle School in DUMBO. In fact, building so close to the Bridge and River may affect water table levels and have other adverse environmental impacts.

Q: Is it true that Department of Education (DOE) is seriously considering the Middle School Proposal?
A: Yes. But this is good thing. It doesn’t mean that the fight to oppose Dock Street is over. It just means that the DOE will now look at all possibilities for the placement of a Middle School, including the expansion of PS 8 or other more appropriate areas.

Q: The proposal is too far along. Is there really any way for us to stop it?
A: We can stop this development with the right support from legislators and people like you. In 2004 Two Trees proposed a similar sized project that was ultimately defeated. We can do it again. In fact, through public outcry, we were able to get Two Trees to consider revising their current proposal. But we can’t win this battle without your support.

Q: How can I get involved?
A: You can volunteer your time or financial support to help oppose the project. You can 1- Send letters and voice your urging legislators to oppose this project, 2- Volunteer, , or 3- Donate money for an environmental impact study to have architects offer alternate proposals that would work for Two Trees and the neighborhood ($25,000 is needed which could easy be raised if 1000 people donated as little as $25 or 250 people donated $100).

Q: I've donated money before. What was done with that?
A: Through the financial support of people like you, we have hired a Lobbyist to work on our behalf, secured the services of a city planner who has put together a comprehensive proposal that would counter the current Dock Street plan and help preserve a greater portion of this historic district, and we put together posters and marketing material for community outreach that helped secure over 8,000 signatures and enormous public outcry resulting in some major victories – 1 the landmarking of a section of DUMBO (The City Planning Committee conveniently left out Dock Street from this distinction), and 2- Two Trees agreement to present a slightly revised plan for Dock Street. But we still have more work to do and can’t win this battle without your continued support.