Saving Officer's Row For Only $20 Million?

Why is preservation of an asset for future generations less important than building a supermarket parking lot, especially when some thoughtful planning and architecture could achieve both goals?

The Gowanus Lounge asks this thoughtful question about the rush to demolish Officer's Row at the Brooklyn Navy Yard.

The report that was delivered to a public meeting about Officer's Row on Tuesday night said that the buildings can be saved, and put the cost at about $20 million -- a mere pittance in these days of $10 million dollar row houses.

But as reported in the Brooklyn Eagle, Andrew Kimball, president of the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation, said he thinks the number is much higher, and doesn’t want the property if the homes must be restored. “Whether it’s $18 million, $30 million or $50 million, the question is who’s going to pay for it?" he asked.

More at www.officersrow.org.

Illustration courtesy of The Brooklyn Navy Yard -- From Harper's New Monthly Magazine, December, 1870

Dumbo Landmark Meeting

The Landmarks Preservation Commission is holding a "public informational meeting" on designating Dumbo as a landmark-protected neighborhood. The meeting will be held on Thurday, April 19 at 10 a.m. at 1 Centre Street, 9th Floor North.

The Dumbo Neighborhood Association sent an email to The Gowanus Lounge saying: "Elected officials who support us--including David Yassky, Sam Cooper from Joan Millman's office and Rob Perris of Community Board 2--will be there."

Photo of Dumbo by photojournalist MK Metz