As Demo Crews Work, Clarett Comes to Carroll Gardens

Tonight is the fourth of four recent reveals of big and potentially neighborhood-changing projects in Carroll Gardens and Gowanus since the beginning of the year. The Clarett Group will be showing plans for a seven-story condo designed by Rogers Marvel for 340 Court Street. While demolition prep work has been underway at the former International Longshoreman's Association Building since the beginning of the year, work got underway in earnest yesterday. The presentation that will take place tonight was set up by the Union-Sackett Block Association which, itself, was created in response to issues raised by the Clarett development. Fliers have been posted around the neighborhood and people have been handing them out. They ask, "Do we want a 7-story, 70 foot-plus facade on Court St.? Do we want a 'big box' national retailer? Are you concerned about safety during construction?" The developer does not need any special approvals to build on the site and applications have already been submitted to the Department of Buildings. The early demolition process has been contentious, with concerns arising over asbestos removal and some damage being caused to an adjacent brownstone. Previous "reveals" in the neighborhood have included 360 Smith Street, Public Place and the Toll Brothers Gowanus development.