Letter to Markowitz - 9/26/05

Dear Marty:
In the early 1970's I was H.D.A.'s (H.P.D.'s predecessor agency) Director at the Atlantic Terminal Urban Renewal Project. I am obviously well versed in the history of this area and in fact live nearby in Park Slope. I was happy to read in the "Brooklyn Papers" your desire to downsize the density at the Ratner project.
I want to remind you of the height of some nearby residential buildings which were constructed in the Atlantic Terminal Urban Renewal Project on the northern side of Atlantic Avenue. At Carlton Avenue in 1968 the New York City Housing Authority constructed a single building 30 stories in height. It towers over the neighborhood and is an eyesore to any independent observer. In the early 1970's two Mitchel-Lamas were constructed: one at South Portland Ave. (between Atlantic and Hanson Pl.) of 15 stories and one at Fulton St. near Carlton Ave. of 17 stories. These middle income buildings are more contextual to the lower height brownstone neighborhood to the north.
If you look at the difference in height of these two separate types of projects one can see which fits better to the surrounding neighborhood. Accordingly, I think you can come to the same conclusion that I've made that a height of 17 stories is about the maximum that would fit into the neighborhood. To go much higher will result in an impenetrable wall between Ft. Greene and Prospect Heights and the creation of a "gated" community effect, something nobody wants.
I am not a sports fan but do support the sports arena proposed because the location is the best possible given the nexus of mass transit that meets there. I could also support some commercial development but would urge you to keep the iconic Williamsburgh Savings Bank as the highest in the area. Market conditions will determine how quickly office buildings might be constructed and lenders are apt to be reluctant to finance these buildings without a commitment for space by a prime tenant. Therefore, suggested heights of office buildings should be significantly lower than the Williamsburgh building and in line with the recently constructed office building built above the Long Island Railroad at Hanson Place.
I hope you will take my suggestions seriously. The support or opposition to this project will largely depend on how well it fits into the surrounding community. I expect and hope you will take a significant leadership role on this important project!
Marion Goldberg