Brooklyn Bridge Park Update: Starchitects, Lawsuits and Design Guidelines

It's been quite the week for Brooklyn Bridge Park, so Gowanus Lounge thought it appropriate to do a bit of a round-up. First, there was news that starchitect Robert A.M. Stern (master planner of Disney's Celebration, Florida) has signed on as a consultant on park plans. Then, there was the lawsuit filed by the Sierra Club to stop the entire project that was neatly summarized by Gothamist, among many news reports. And, today, Metro reports on a session that a Stern associate had yesterday with the local Citizens Advisory Council. Said Paul Whalen, the Stern associate, of the design guidelines being produced for the many buildings that will be part of the development package : "It's like looking at a table and deciding what the salt and pepper shakers look like."

There are three developments planned for Brooklyn Bridge Park: A 17-story building with 130 units on John Street, 150 apartments and 225 hotel rooms in buildings that will be 6-10 stories, and 400 apartments at Atlantic Avenue in either two 20-story buildings or a 30-story building and a 14-story building.

The buildings are the way the park will be financed.