Brooklyn Heights NIMBYs Try New Tactic on Pier 6

BROOKLYN HEIGHTS, BROOKLYN — NIMBYs in Brooklyn Heights have not been subtle that they are against the rising housing developments on the waterfront in Brooklyn Bridge Park's Pier 6. And now they're trying a new tactic altogether to keep the developments from popping up, which is purely environmental.

CUNY professor of biomedical and mechanical engineering Sheldon Weinbaum argued to the Brooklyn Bridge Park Community Advisory Council that the soil on the land proposed for two developments was unstable, Brooklyn Eagle reported.

Weinbaum argued the Pier 6 buildings, which would bring 266 apartment units to Brooklyn's waterfront, need to be more closely examined by environmental engineers.

“Both lots are designated tidal wetlands, which is just sand and silt,” he said.

Weinbaum went on to say a 2015 report of the land's soil by the Department of Buildings was "very damaging" because of some weak soil beneath the surface.

Others at the meeting were skeptical of Weinbaum's theory, saying the DOB has several engineers who know what they're doing.

In a statement, Brooklyn Bridge Park spokesperson Belinda Cape said, as Curbed reported: "This is far from the first time a building of this size has been constructed on the New York City waterfront. The Pier 6 development will of course be built to code and closely monitored by NYC DOB. We are 100 percent confident that the plans for this project will ensure its structural integrity and safety for residents and park visitors."

>>>Read more about Brooklyn Heights NIMBYs' decade-long fight against Pier 6 developments at Curbed.

Photo credit: ODA