MAS Comments on Two Bridges Development

Position

The Municipal Art Society of New York (MAS) has grave concerns about the proposed development from both a planning and environmental perspective.

From a planning standpoint, we find the magnitude of the proposed development extremely disproportionate with the surrounding area and lacking in foresight. With over 2.5 million gsf of residential space, nearly 3,000 dwelling units, and almost 6,000 new residents in a low-income area, the development provides only 25 percent affordable dwelling units, approximately 11,000 sf of retail space, and 103 parking spaces.

In terms of environmental impacts, the development would introduce such a significant new population-75 percent of which would be market-rate tenants-that it would be nearly impossible to not result in an abrupt change in the socioeconomic conditions and character of the neighborhood. We are certain it would lead to substantial indirect displacement of low-income area residents. This is particularly alarming since the median income of the immediate and adjacent census tracts ranges from $18,944 to $29,418. ¹ It is also expected that the new population would overburden area public schools, libraries, child-care facilities, and other publicly funded services.

Furthermore, as a measure of the scope of potential adverse environmental impacts, the development would substantially exceed CEQR thresholds and require extensive evaluations in 17 out of 19 environmental categories. For example, the CEQR trigger for requiring an expanded analysis on open space impacts in the project area is the introduction of 200 residents. The proposed projects exceed that threshold by a factor of 30!

Of particular importance are the significant adverse effects the proposal would have on the following areas:

• Open Space – The demand the new residents, including senior residents, would place on limited existing open space in the area;
• Shadows – The three towers will likely cast significant shadows on nearby parks, namely Seward Park, Little Flower Playground, and Cherry Clinton Playground, and the East River;
• Archaeological Resources – The Landmarks Preservation Commission has determined that there is potential for the recovery of remains from Colonial and 19th Century occupation on the project sites;
• Urban Design and Visual Resources – With proposed building heights ranging from 724 to 1,008 feet, we are concerned about the out-of-scale scope of the project and its potential to block critical view corridors to the East River and access of area residents to light and air;
• Natural Resources – The development would be constructed entirely within the 100-year flood plain, in a combined sewer area, and in close proximity to the East River;
• Traffic and Parking – The preliminary analysis indicates that 30 intersections in the study area will be evaluated for adverse impacts. In terms of parking, we question how the lack of proposed parking would be mollified by the 1,900 existing parking spaces in eight additional off-street parking facilities within a ½-mile study area of the project site, to which the DSOW alludes.

We are also concerned about impacts on water and sewer infrastructure; solid waste management; energy efficiency; mobile and stationary source air quality and noise during operation and construction, greenhouse gas emissions and climate change, and cumulative impacts from other developments in the area (e.g., the Extell development already under construction).

Moreover, we would expect that many adverse impacts would remain unmitigated under the current proposal and result in long-term harmful effects on the Two Bridges neighborhood.

Recommendations

We strongly oppose this proposal unless the City takes the required hard look at the likely long-term harmful effects on the Two Bridges neighborhood and generates a development plan that reflects true community input and adheres to a comprehensive plan. The City must pursue a decidedly more sustainable approach to better accommodate the new population by providing an affordable housing program that reflects the income of the area; adopting a carefully considered design that addresses climate change and resiliency for the long-term; requiring the achievement of LEED™ or equivalent certification standards for construction and operation; incorporating height and bulk measures that reduce shadow impacts on parks and open space; and including a vibrant mix of uses, especially with regard to local retail and community facilities. Finally, to ensure meaningful community engagement and accountability, we recommend that the proposal undergo a formal ULURP process.

Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments on this critically important proposal.

Notes

1. Based on U.S. Census, income in the past 12 months, inflation-adjusted dollars. 2010-2014 American Community Survey 5-year estimates. New York County Census Tracts: 6, 9, and 2.02