Readers respond to Estate Four plans

Last month Estate Four released new artist renderings of their plans for the Red Hook waterfront. The NY Times published them alongside an article headlined “Stylish Plans for Sleepy, Industrial Red Hook.” This of course made major news in our little part of town, and so we asked readers to comment. What follows are responses submitted via email and Facebook.Estate 4 three

Happening all over
It seems to be inevitable. It’s happening all along the waterfront along the East River. Williamsburgh, Long Island City, Greenpoint. – Gary Gettenberg

Relentless segregation
“Gentrified in a respectful manner.” I suppose that’s like being raped with lube. Good luck finding tenants. Red Hook is nothing like their London or Milan locations. And they likely, from the back of their cabs and limos, understand little about the difficulty of getting masses of people in and out of the neighborhood for work or events. The inevitability of projects like these, and the relentless segregation of Red Hook, is exactly why I sold my house and fled after 15 years. – Joseph Bernardo

Valuable discussion
Thanks for getting this important conversation started, George – Mike Schweinsburg

Sea level rising?
It appears they are building under current zoning and will bring new energy to the area but I would want to approach the design in somewhat different way that addresses the future conditions of the site. – Marlene Donnelly

Finally Red Hook recognized
Being a long-time resident of Red Hook, a property owner and employee of a long-time local construction firm, C.S. Scott Enterprises www.csscott.com, I believe change for this community is a positive. Red Hook is rich in the history of this great city and finally being recognized for being one of the most beautifully significant places in all of NYC. The plans to create a cultural hub could not be more apropos and fitting for what Red Hook represents in the realm of the NYC waterfront with magnificent views into the most historical places in this country.

We hope, though, that 4 Estate will bring in some of the local trades like C. S. Scott Enterprises to support the development of this site, and they will facilitate programs for the local youth in the cultural center of the arts.

A cultural hub will bring about many benefits and opportunities for the neighborhood youth, the artists and the appropriate funding to expand upon the vision created Gregory O’Connell, Sr. This will take Red Hook to the next level and preserve it’s beauty for many more people in this country to appreciate. – Carol A. De Bock

Community Benefits agreement
The Red Hook community should revisit their comprehensive plan and have a discussion on how they want their community to grow. Ideally, their decisions should be respected. However, we live under conditions where market forces usually prevail. Any massive development like this that changes the character of the local community should be accompanied by a community benefits agreement that include jobs for local residents, use of local businesses such as local contractors and suppliers, as well as community facilities and amenities that are open to the general public. – Vilma Hermania, Carroll Gardens AssociationEstate 4 two

Use the Brooklyn Bridge Park designers
This Los Angeles proposal appears to be way out of scale and character with anything in the neighborhood. Such a spectacular site deserves the resources that a city like New York can bring to bear. Resources like the Columbia preservation program’s study of Red Hook, Michael Van Valkenburgh Landscape Architects, the firm that has done such extraordinary work with the Brooklyn Bridge Park, has a wealth of experience with the Brooklyn waterfront; local, state, and national preservation organizations ought to weigh in on how this site should be treated. The bus parking lots are an inappropriate use of Red Hook’s land and redevelopment is inevitable, however this site deserves the best in land-use planning and design. – Linda Gibson Willett

What we need
The CSWD and Redhook neighborhoods are somewhat isolated from the rest of New York City because of a relative lack of public transportation. This separation has kept restaurants, shops, and other types of amenities that residents desire from fully developing in these areas. It’s hard for small business to survive without robust foot traffic. I think Esta4te Four is giving the neighborhood exactly what it needs: it creates density and brings more people to the neighborhood. The resulting change is very positive for the neighborhood, the residents and the local businesses. Zev Sohne Sohne Brothers Real Estate Development 131 Union Street

Could be great
I’m not a fan of the height of the new buildings, but it’s hard to say how it would effect what Valentino Park will feel like. A big question is how they deal with the public spaces and the community. If done correctly, I think this could be great for everyone. I would love to see a long term deal made with one or several community groups to manage the public spaces and access to the first floors of all of the buildings.

Perhaps a community benefits agreement which promises a specific amount of square footage in the offices for community based organizations like RHI, Added Value, Miccio Center, etc. –

As for transportation, I’m not too worried because I’m a believer that if there are more people commuting into Red Hook, we’ll end up with better transportation options. As a matter of fact, a public shuttle could be part of a community benefits agreement.-Benjamin Peikes

Seems like Estate 4 is on the mark
I like the idea of this Development. As a fourth generation Brooklynite from Cobble Hill and a local small business owner, I embrace the idea of repurposing and revitalizing areas of industrial warehousing and long closed manufacturing. Just as we’ve seen with the success of Brooklyn bridge park and also in sunset park Industry City, I see Red Hook development as a continuation of a larger plan to clean up and open up the waterfronts around Brooklyn.

What is most important is that they build properly for flooding, just like ikea did and they suffered minimal damage from The storm. And it’s important that an equal balance of public spaces and parks are included for recreation and the growing community that will follow. Neighborhoods need to change in a way that preserve the history, take care of the existing communities and create opportunities for people and businesses of all incomes and sizes to move to Brooklyn. From the article I get the feeling that they are considering all of these aspects. – David Alperin, Goose Barnacle, Atlantic Avenue.

Better transportation needs to go with this project
I agree that this was inevitable and at least it is not the audacious buildings that are in LIC as previously pointed out. I too am concerned not only with the transportation option but also the general congestion of the area. Since making Imlay a one way street, the traffic on Van Brunt is really bad and even worse in the summer. If Red Hook is expected to create more spaces for people I hope someone is looking at the impacts across infrastructure and transportation. We have been happily living here for 3 years. – Kristina Frantz Alexandre

Bravo!
Awesome, this area is going to be great! – Vito Iacobellis, Staten Island

Keep the quantness
Been in Red Hook for 5 years! I knew this day would come! I really can’t say it’s a bad thing as long as RedHooks quaint neighborhood is left in tact. Interested to hear everyone else’s thoughts. – Ronnette R Griffin-Taylor

Too much change
If given the chance, I would reluctantly vote no on this. It is pretty, and considering what is there now, and what other alternatives might be, it may not be disastrous. But this is not development designed to benefit current Red Hook residents. I don’t suppose that local artists are the intended tenants. The scale is way over the top for what our community is and the great majority of residents within a few blocks of this did not invest in Red Hook to be next to this. I think it completely changes Valentino Pier and the park. The park currently is one of the few public spaces in Red Hook that is shared by both homeowners and residents of public housing. As depicted, I would fear that the new park areas are not going to be as inviting to public housing residents and I expect 24 hour security – necessary for a wealthy development like this – will make many people feel unwelcome. I would expect the peaceful atmosphere of the west side of Van Brunt to be impacted. Finally, we remain isolated with only 2 streets in and out of our neighborhood. Van Brunt is at capacity most of the day. Presumably a development of this scale is going to attract a very large amount of people. Are they all coming by boat? I do think a development of this scale should require input from the community. I know there was a meeting that I missed, but hopefully there will be more opportunities. – John Battis

Needs parking
Really do not have an opinion, seems like alot, hope it comes with parking. Justin C. Lenz

At least no skyscrapers
I’ve been in Red Hook 5 years, and in the immediate area for 10. This kind of development is inevitable, I guess, considering the amount of waterfront property. At the very least, this kind of development looks respectful – it’s not a 15 story glass tower like LIC and the Williamsburg waterfront. More housing is typically a good thing, but what really concerns me is whether the neighborhood transportation and spaces will be able to sustain the influx of residents – something no one developing LIC and Williamsburg was concerned about and now the L train can barely keep up.- Brett Underhill

Love the idea of it!
I think it’s an amazing project. Quite beautiful if it turns out looking anything like the proposed artists rendering. I didn’t see any mention of residential units, so I’m guessing it will all be commercial/mixed-use space, correct? Love the idea that we are moving well into the 21st Century and that Red Hood will be along not just for the ride, but leading the way!-Vince Musacchia

Remember the view
It’s going to ruin one of the most beautiful views of downtown Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty. These developers need to stop being greedy and selfish. Liz Plymell

Doubts?
Well prepare for major change…if you think this will not have an adverse affect.,,interested in buying the Brooklyn Bridge? – James Sanford 

Already been to college
No. I do not want to live on Google Campus. – Hally McGehean

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One Comment

  1. I think everyone here had valid concerns and opinions. I just feel the character of Red Hook should prevail. To me, there’s too much modernization and not enough soul in the artists’ renderings to match the architectural make up of a maritime landscape. I agree there should be no skyscrapers to block this re-birth of our waterfront view. Let’s be honest, when we lived there, the view was lost to the industrial dynasties that occupied the area for so many years. Now that we could finally enjoy it, let’s not lose it again, or smother it for the wrong reasons. As far as the Brooklyn Bridge Park, I do agree that they are a good source to tap into because they have created a beautiful recreational waterfront park. But the new Hotel on Pier 1 (adding additional height after the original plan was approved causing more blockage of views) and the condos/school on Front Street (ugly “coke glass” green monstrosity hogging more views as you approach the Bridge) are proving to be more controversial as they near completion.

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