"...Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz recommended the disapproval of a ULURP application for a 178-foot-tall residential building that would have blocked views of the legendary Brooklyn Bridge. The building...would have obstructed bridge views for residents of DUMBO and Fulton Ferry and impeded views from the bridge's pedestrian walkway. Borough President Markowitz's recommendation suggested that the maximum height of the Water Street building be reduced to approximately 80 feet to eliminate any obstruction of bridge views and to fit in with the historic character of the nearby Civil War era buildings."
Marty Markowitz, Brooklyn Borough President
"...the building is opposed...because it includes an 18-story tower, not appropriate on a historic block so close to the Brooklyn Bridge. Families should not need to accept an inappropriate building for the soon-to-be-landmarked Dumbo neighborhood in order to get a much-needed middle school."
David Yassky, City Council Member
"If all they're saying is, we'll offer the space to the Board of Education so they can buy it, well, the Board of Education can buy space in a lot of places."
David Yassky, City Council Member
"The symbolic importance of the [Brooklyn Bridge] cannot be overstated... one of New York's most recognizable structures. Indeed, the image of the bridge is recognized throughout the world."
David Yassky, City Council Member
"This is the Brooklyn Bridge. It's of incalculable value...To me, the solution is clear. Restrict the height of the building to the height of the bridge roadway."
Tony Avella, City Council Member
"We do need a middle school, but this need...should not be used to leverage an out-of-scale development. We are against the height and density and will...oppose this."
Karen Johnson, President of the DUMBO Neighborhood Association
"The height of the development will forever diminish the bridge's visual impact."
Katrin Adam, Vice President of the Fulton Ferry Landing Association
