Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
NIMBYs Get State To Block Affordable Housing At Brooklyn Bridge Park
By
Rebecca Fishbein
Published Feb 27, 2016
Modified Feb 27, 2016
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Rebecca Fishbein
Published Feb 27, 2016
Modified Feb 27, 2016
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
The state has blocked the city from installing affordable housing in Brooklyn Bridge Park, after locals argued that the buildings would, among other things, block views and take away green space.
The two buildings, which were intended to be built over Pier 6, were supposed to include a 315-foot-high tower with 339 apartments. The project was spearheaded by the city, and officials with Empire State Development, a state oversight panel, claim they wanted to work with the mayor's office initially. But Howard Zemsky, the president of Empire State Development, told the Wall Street Journal he “was amazed that every elected official is opposed to this except for the mayor,” and community members were reportedly so incensed by the plan they drew a hearing out by five hours in July.
The panel says they are giving “the city additional time to work with the community to mitigate the significant concerns they have raised about the project’s potential impacts,” though the city had expected the state to greenlight the development in October. The city has argued that the project will help drum up funding for the park, but others have argued it would bring down property values, increase crowds in the park, and overcrowd schools, in addition to the aforementioned concerns about blocked views.
Tagged
brooklyn bridge park
NIMBYs
pier 6
Rebecca Fishbein
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Influential Brooklyn developer illegally raised rents despite tax break, lawsuit claims
The lawsuit targets the leasing practices of the company Two Trees, which recently received a special carveout in the New York state budget.
By
David Brand
Published Oct 30, 2026 at 11:43 a.m. ET
Democrats' early voting lead in NJ keeps growing ahead of Election Day
In key districts and across the state, Democrats are building on their early voting success from last year’s governor’s race.
By
Mike Hayes
News
Democrats' early voting lead in NJ keeps growing ahead of Election Day
In key districts and across the state, Democrats are building on their early voting success from last year’s governor’s race.
By
Mike Hayes
Early Addition: Is Harry running?
By
James Ramsay
NYC Council takes key step toward Mamdani's promised Department of Community Safety
By
Ben Feuerherd
NY progressives have found a way to vote for Hochul, with an asterisk
By
Walter Wuthmann
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .