Two Trees Development -- my two cents

I've always felt that arguments against the construction of a building that will potentially block views OF our building, as opposed to FROM our building, will go much further to engage the community in our effort to modify the development's size, density and massing. In fact I think it's the only feasible arguments we have.

I also believe that our best approach is to concede that the development, in some incarnation or another, is a fait accompli. The best approach is to operate on that assumption and to work with the city agencies, developer and community to try to encourage a compromise on what the development's ultimate design -- its size, height and placement -- will look like and what effect it will have on our building's views and light.

Remember a couple of years ago when the Empire State Building was facing a view-blocking monolithic commercial tower 900 feet away from them at 15 Penn Plaza?

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/24/nyregion/24empire.html

The outcry got a lot of media attention, and letters were written, petitions circulated, protesters filled  city planning meetings, etc. Their primary argument was that blocking views of an iconic building like the ESB from vantage points all over Manhattan was neither in the best interest of  public nor cityscape. Ultimately the resistance was unsuccessful. (As I understand it, the developer is still waiting for a large anchor tenant to commit before the tower finally goes up, but his prospects are good on that front, and the tower will be built.)

The same, but more effective argument can and should be made in the case of One Hanson/Two Trees. Whereas Manhattan has its share of iconic high rises, we arguably have ONE - ours. It would be nice to hear Marty Markowitz oppose a development that would block views of the Beacon of Brooklyn from his constituency, but the guy seems to gush over every new building that breaks ground in the borough. And I personally don't expect much help from Tish James, nor any other politician for that matter, until they determine what their net gain or loss of votes is going to be. Remember that if there is a 33 story residential tower built a couple of blocks from her office, that's potentially 33 floors of additional votes for her, not to mention, no doubt, a healthy contribution to her from Two Trees.

I believe a grassroots effort comprised of a coalition of community activists, landmark preservationists and architectural purists is going to be the only way to go. We Brooklynites treasure the cultural and architectural landscape in our borough. Engaging the public in our effort is the key to cultivating the influence necessary to effect any changes to the proposed development to make it more palatable to residents of One Hanson and the community at large.

My two cents.