Developers have submitted new plans for what would be Brooklyn's tallest building by far, the latest in a series of towers that promise to remake the borough's skyline. NY1's Michael Herzenberg filed the following report.
The Dime Savings Bank of Brooklyn has stood for more than 150 years. Soon, it will have company. Developers want to build a 73-story residential tower on a portion of it, creating Brooklyn's tallest building.
"Amazing opportunity to really reshape Brooklyn's skyline, create much-needed housing, including over 20 percent affordable housing," said Carlo Scissura of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce.
The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce welcomes plans for the 1,066-foot-tall building at Dekalb Avenue and Bond Street. It would stand alongside the 57-story City Point tower now under construction. That project will house more than 1,500 apartments, as well as office and retail space.
Residents, though, have mixed opinions.
"I think it's crazy, because the city is already crowded down here," said one resident.
"I think it will be a good thing for New York, especially Downtown Brooklyn," said another.
Tall towers are rising all over place, the result of Brooklyn's booming popularity and hot real estate market. Across from Barclays Center, there are plans for what could be the largest office tower by square footage in Brooklyn.
The Municipal Arts Society worries about the drastic change to the borough and the city. The society's webste shows how super tall towers are altering Manhattan's skyline.
"We're seeing lots of really, really tall buildings without any study or of the cumulative effect that these towers will have on a neighborhood," said Gina Pollara, president and CEO of the Municipal Arts Society of New York.
The nonprofit works for economic growth with quality-of-life improvements and argues that plans should be made public as soon as bargaining for airspace begins.
"The zoning code that exists today is 100 years old," Pollara said. "We need to have some transparency in terms of process."
As for the Dime Savings Bank project, because the building is a landmark, any changes require approval of the Landmarks Preservation Commission. A meeting is set for next month.