Toll Brothers Present Pretty Drawings To C.B. 6 Land Use Committee

David Von Spreckelsen, of the Toll Brothers came to the C.B. 6 Land Use/Landmark Committee last night to present the plans for the 450 Unit development the company has planned for the shores of the Gowanus Canal. Mr. Von Spreckelsen brought along his crew of professionals to back him up: attorneys, engineers, an environmental consultant, an architect and a landscape architect, to name just a few.
Listening to them speak enthusiastically about this project and looking at their pretty pictures, it becomes clear that these people are good, very good, indeed, at the hard sell. Oh, it all looks so good and sounds so wonderful. The architect used phrases such as " the flow of the canal," "the feel of the street," and " the rhythm of the townhouses."
How can we resist? Why wouldn't we beg the Toll Brothers to build this development? Please, please...
And then, the landscape architect presented his drawings of "Canal Park" and talked about Bond Street being treated with "grace" and "celebrates the history of the place" at which point my husband turned to me and said: "This guy is so full of s--t, it's unbelievable," and I am thrown back into reality.
Yes, these guys are good. They have done these presentations before. They have dealt with skeptical Community Boards before. They have faced hostile residents. And they know how to gloss over minor details like where will all that flood water by the canal go and how much the 130 affordable apartments will rent for.
But the Gowanus/Carroll Gardens residents have gotten smarter and they have done their research. They are no longer easily impressed and dazzled by such polished appearances.

I think my blogger friend Lisanne, of Found In Brooklyn said it best last night when she passed the landscape architect on her way out of the auditorium: " Nice park! Too bad you have to have those buildings there too."
I agree. It would be lovely to have a clean, accessible canal. Too bad we will have to have the Toll brothers there too.


Related Reading:
Impressive Performance By Carroll Gardens And Gowanus Residents At Scoping Meeting For Toll Brothers' Project


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