News From Carroll Gardens and C.O.R.D.

Below is the latest letter from C.O.R.D., the neighborhood group working hard at stopping the out-of character apartment building slated for 360 Smith Street. I think the author Triada Samaras's, frustration is shared by many here in the neighborhood. It is so depressing to see the changes to Carroll Gardens happening at such lighting speed.
Both Landmarking and Down-zoning efforts are going on at the same time, a double dose of protection for the neighborhood. Because lets face it, there is a real possibility that not every block here in Carroll Gardens will get landmark status. For that, down-zoning needs to be pushed, so that those blocks also have some measure of protection.
But CORD's push for a moratorium is certainly worthwhile. We need protection now. In two years, lots more over-sized buildings will be built and will destroy the harmony of our brownstone blocks. Then, land-marking may not even be an option anymore.

Hello from CORD!

Many things have been happening here in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn, with
respect to the 360 Smith Street proposed development project over our F
train subway station.

But much is frankly not very helpful to us.

We still have never seen the plans for the 360 Smith Street building, still
do not know who the "real" architect is, or whether Mr. Scarano has been
retained by Mr. Stein, building developer, still do not know how thoroughly
the infrastructure issues have EVER (!) been examined by the City of New
York for the 360 Smith Street development project, still do not know the
MTA's comprehensive plan (or any plan at all) for all of us subway riders
before and after the proposed construction, and unfortunately, much, much
more.

We do know our beloved neighborhood is in grave danger of over development
and that we residents seem to be powerless.  Even more frustrating is the
proposed time table for down zoning and landmarking (see our letter below).

Some say we are "stuck" here in Carroll Gardens; others say a moratorium
will get in the way of down zoning and landmarking.  Others say the subway
plaza is a public place and should be left alone for public use only.
Almost everyone agrees the proposed building for 360 Smith Street is is too
high, too dense, too wide and too far out of context for our tiny blocks.
And everyone can see that Second Place is not in fact a "wide" street, as
only one slow car at a time can ever get up Second Place.

As the clock is still ticking on 360 Smith Street,...and this development
project, as well as many, many others like it continue to threaten our
beloved streets, CORD is going back to basics and saying once again:

S-T-O-P!!!

Please see the following letter and other info at our blog and please sign
our petition if you have not done so already!

Many thanks,
Triada Samaras



For more on C.O.R.D. check out GOWANUS LOUNGE's post