It’s history

3 Comments

1. 

   jck October 4, 2005

   In protecting historic structures, well, this project doesn’t physically affect any. Enhancing? I would say that there is a strong school of thought that it is not really a preservation goal to ever be able to “enhance” a historic property. This project will certainly detract from the area around it, but it balances other needs. I think those needs may be short sighted but they are currently relevant. Current to me is within 10 years, not next year. In thinking about quality of life, is that for each individual? Can that really happen? In an urban area? Really? If you want to put it on a scale and balance it out, I would place a few things on the other side- The first 5 Montford blocks provide the overflow parking for CC events and festivals (which kinda sucks sometimes), the downtown businesses will/or may enjoy increased traffic, the CC may increase event attendance, the city will pick up extra income (sorta), the Grove Arcade may become solvent (if they also dump their self-imposed mission statement), etc. These are improvements in quality of life for quite a large range of businesses, neighborhood dwellers, individuals and interests. How would you weigh them against a direct infringement such as the view from a window? As far as history is concerned, including some currently large projects ongoing, you could easily put very large buildings around most of the Battery park. As far as this project is concerned, I have been aware of it continuously through casual observation in the media. There were large concerns but I would firmly agree that it received due process. I will see it from my house, and oddly enough, it will detract from my view of the lovely Battery Park Hotel. But, I live in the city and in a healthy city, these are the things you can expect. For example, I am a proponent of a sound wall along the Montford section of I-240. This would kill the view of downtown but greatly improve interaction with the freeway. Quality of life is explicitly in the eye of the beholder, only in large ways can it be applied to a large and varied segment of the population.

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2. 

   Ash October 4, 2005

   Thanks EM!

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3. 

   Edgy Mama October 4, 2005

   Nice new template. Sleek and sophisticated–like Ash Vegas.

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