Plan For High Rises In Brooklyn Bridge Park Gets Go-Ahead

BROOKLYN HEIGHTS, NY — The controversial pair of luxury high rises set to be built at Brooklyn Bridge Park's Pier 6 can move forward after a judge dismissed a lawsuit by residents to halt the project.

Judge Carmen Victoria St. George ruled against the Brooklyn Heights Association Friday in their suit against the Brooklyn Bridge Park Corporation over the development of the planned towers at 15 and 50 Bridge Park Drive.

"We are pleased with the Judge's decision, which ensures that a public investment enjoyed by millions and envied in cities across the globe will thrive long into the future," Brooklyn Bridge Park president Eric Landau said in a statement.

"In addition to critical long-term funding for Brooklyn Bridge Park guaranteed by today’s decision, the Pier 6 project will also provide much-needed affordable housing and union construction jobs."

The BHA claimed in their suit that park operators violated a legal agreement to only allow private development to fund maintenance when it approved plans for the 28- and 14-story towers on the pier.

However, St. George wrote in her ruling that park operators were allowed to plan for future financial needs when bringing in development.

"[The park is] entitled to consider the future financial needs of the park and potential fluctuations in the economy in their financial analysis, and to make conservative projection to ensure future financial stability in a worst-case scenario," St. George wrote.

The BHA did not immediately respond to a request for comment for the story.

In 2015, the non-profit group that runs the park chose RAL Companies and Oliver's Realty Group to build the towers on the pier and approved the plans the next year, the Brooklyn Paper Reported.

The BHA started the suit to stop the towers in 2016, but developers still filed plans last year for them. A judge ruled construction could start on the project in July while the court proceedings went on.

Developers launched a website last month teasing sales for the first building, dubbed Quay Tower, with prices expected to start at $1.9 million for two-bedroom apartments when they do on sale in the spring.

The 14-story building, which will have 80 percent affordable housing units, topped out last week, according to the park.

Image: MOSO Studio