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December 8, 2006
Ad-nauseum!
The Brooklyn Papers
By Gersh Kuntzman
The Atlantic Yards project is a threat to one of America’s national treasures — Brooklyn’s brownstone blocks — two preservation groups charged this week, citing new state renderings that show 15-story illuminated advertising billboards on either side of the development’s main building.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation and the group Scenic America both said that the 16-tower arena, residential and office space project would overwhelm the brownstone blocks in neighboring Prospect Heights, Fort Greene and Boerum Hill.
And Scenic America raised a new issue: Two 150-foot-tall illuminated billboards on either side of the “Urban Room” atrium at the intersection of Flatbush and Atlantic avenues would constantly bathe “Brooklyn’s famed brownstones ... in the light from 15-story beer ads,” said Kevin Fry, the group’s president.
The billboards only came to light last week, as part of the state’s hurriedly prepared final environmental impact statement for the $4.2-billion project (see rendering left).
Such billboards are illegal under New York City zoning — but that law is one of many local codes being superceded by the state in its approval of Atlantic Yards.
Click here for a closer look at the image composite published in the Brooklyn Papers.
Posted by lumi at December 8, 2006 7:14 AM