Jon Keegan writes:
“Hey…I worked up a Google Earth placemark of the Atlantic Yards project, with 3D buildings so you can see how monstrous it is…”
“Get the word out!”
Discuss: Prospect Heights Message Boards
UPDATE to UPDATE: Some people have complained that the previous Google Earth screenshot exaggerated the difference between the Atlantic Yards project and surrounding Brownstone Brooklyn. This new screenshot (right) shows the current building heights. Also, this picture from Jon’s website (below) gives a much better idea of scale:
Looks awesome! I can’t wait. 🙂
OMG.
This is the all time dumbest – existing Brooklyn isnt FLAT
This is the all time dumbest – existing Brooklyn isnt FLAT
No, existing Brooklyn is not flat… but the Ratner development will be much taller than its surroundings.
Addendum:
Clicking on the placemark (as opposed to the Flickr picture) shows the surrounding buildings’ heights, as well.
“No, existing Brooklyn is not flat… but the Ratner development will be much taller than its surroundings.”
Oh my god! Buildings that are taller than others in the area? The horror!
Jesus christ, I’m so sick of everyone going on about the height of these buildings. Brooklyn is something like the 6th-largest city in the country, the site sits on top of one of the best transit hubs in the city, AND the site is currently occupied by rail yards… in my mind, this is the perfect site for towers. Now, I’m not crazy about Frank Gehry’s design, but the bulk is fine.
This Google earth function is F’n awesome. Kudos to the guy who put the Ratner development onto Google earth. I don’t think a better case for the prevention of this project could be made than this demonstration. These building are HUGE!!! Clearly the above commentors are from (or were paid off by) the Ratner camp. If the city can’t control the horrible traffic problems at Atlantic and Flatbush now (despite having a large traffic cop force dispatched at the intersection) what are they going to do if this thing gets built?
“Clearly the above commentors are from (or were paid off by) the Ratner camp.”
That’s weak. Are you honestly so arrogant that you believe all other people must share the same opinion as you? Human beings do often disagree, you know. It doesn’t mean they’ve been paid off.
I’m not part of or paid by the Ratner camp. I’m an urban planner and I happen to be in favor of densification of urban cores, especially when it also helps erase of the biggest blights in the area (the railyards).
And, please, it makes absolutely ZERO sense to complain about traffic when siting a huge development on top of a commuter rail and subway hub! There is no better way to AVOID traffic problems than by building on a site like this. If you’re so concerned about traffic, you should oppose the creation of new parking facilities, not new development.
Hey Guys,
Unfortunately money rules.Developers have it.
We don’t.
Those who have it decide our fates.
To Build on an existing rail yard costs $$ ($400 million or so just to get started) so any developer who builds on the site needs to make money as well before taking on a project like this. The only way to do this is to put more “mass” and height on the site.
This was the major problem with the Jets Stadium proposal also. No developer will build anything unless they can make money also and starting off $400 million in the hole is a big issue.
Maybe not leaving everything up to greedy developers is a good thing too but that area of Atlantic Avenue and Flatbush is an urban embarassment and needs to be developed into something. I’m just disappointed that with all of the brilliant minds in this town that this is the “best” solution on the table.
Again, money rules.
But with a public that is apathetic and disinterested in architecture and urban planning as a whole, what do you expect?
Enjoy your iPOD.
first off, debating the merits of the project doesn’t need accusations of being “paid off” or accusations of arrogance.
that said, the project is extremely out of scale and poorly planned.
“I happen to be in favor of densification of urban cores, especially when it also helps erase of the biggest blights in the area (the railyards).”
densification is a good thing when it’s needed and done right, but densification for densification’s sake is a mistake. last time i checked, fort greene and prospect heights had little trouble filling housing needs. this isn’t an urban core like downtown detroit which lacks residents and is filled with abandoned buildings. true, the railyards sit open and interrupt the streetscape and have a few derelict (or semi-derelict) buildings remaining at street level. but how many of those are blighted now due to neglect? and what of the many buildings that will be torn down that are not vacant or are only vacant because of the impending project?
if the main cry from the neighborhood (and many of the project’s supporters) was for “affordable” housing, what’s the arena for? or why not make it all “affordable” or better-yet, low-income housing? because it won’t make as much money. and although the city’s track-record on “urban renewal” is spotty at best, modern, progressive sensibilities could come up with a project more modest in scale that is more inviting to foot-traffic, small business, and residences. instead, a mega-developer will get many $$$ breaks to build a project that separates itself from the surrounding neighborhoods.
“And, please, it makes absolutely ZERO sense to complain about traffic when siting a huge development on top of a commuter rail and subway hub! There is no better way to AVOID traffic problems than by building on a site like this. If you’re so concerned about traffic, you should oppose the creation of new parking facilities, not new development.”
actually it is a perfectly legitmate point. unless you guarantee, which you can’t and won’t, that every single person that lives there, works there, and goes to events there will take public transportation, then it is an issue. it’s true that a smaller scale development would also bring more traffic (cause i ain’t makin’ guarantees!), but naturally, less people (i.e. smaller project) will mean less traffic. also, the plan will demap both 5th ave. from flatbush to atlantic and a good chunk of pacific street. this will funnel even more traffic on atlantic and flatbush only. the impact on safety, the environment, and drivers’ nerves will be huge.
all that said, if they have to build the project, it may be the best place for it at least public transportation-wise.