Greenpoint

Greenpointers sound off about neighborhood mega-development

March 21, 2019 Lore Croghan
There are two Greenpoint Landing high-rises on the waterfront and more are on the way. Eagle photo by Lore Croghan
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It’s going to be big. As in 23 acres big. As in 5,500 apartments big.

Is it any wonder people in Greenpoint talk about it a lot?

The project that’s on their minds is Greenpoint Landing.

Two of its waterfront towers have already sprouted. Others are on the way. Brookfield Properties and Park Tower Group are its co-developers.

Real estate nerds are intrigued by the mega-project’s power to transform the neighborhood.

Greenpoint residents are worried about the mega-project’s power to transform the neighborhood.

Greenpoint Landing is located at the end of Franklin Street. So that’s the street I sought out to ask people what they think about this development.

Driving around in circles

LeeAna Benson is a painter who lives in Greenpoint. Eagle photo by Lore Croghan
LeeAna Benson is a painter who lives in Greenpoint. Eagle photo by Lore Croghan

“It’s a little weird,” LeeAna Benson, a painter who lives and has her art studio in Greenpoint, said of the Greenpoint Landing mega-project.

“It seems like there aren’t enough people to fill all the apartments.

“We have a car. We drive around in circles looking for parking,” Benson said. “We’re competing with the construction workers for parking spots.

“We are concerned. When the towers do fill up, what will the parking be like? What will the neighborhood be like?

“Greenpoint is our quiet little peninsula — for now.”

A ‘jacked-up’ view

Tattoo artist Jhonny Wolf lives and works in Greenpoint. Eagle photo by Lore Croghan
Tattoo artist Jhonny Wolf lives and works in Greenpoint. Eagle photo by Lore Croghan

Jhonny Wolf is a tattoo artist at Evil and Love Tattoo on Franklin Street. He lives in Greenpoint, too.

“It’s a bummer,” he said about Greenpoint Landing’s presence on the skyline. “It’s blocking my view. Now my view’s all jacked up.

“They’re building The Wall around Greenpoint.

“It really sucks the character out of the neighborhood,” Wolf said. “Sure, the development helps business. But at what cost?”

Foot traffic on Franklin Street

Christine Lynch owns a shop called Local Color NYC. Eagle photo by Lore Croghan
Christine Lynch owns a shop called Local Color NYC. Eagle photo by Lore Croghan

Christine Lynch owns a shop called Local Color NYC, which she describes as “an American-made boutique.”

Thousands of new apartments that are coming to Greenpoint Landing will swell the number of pedestrians on Franklin Street, where her store is located.

“As a boutique owner, I will welcome the foot traffic,” Lynch said.

“How could I not?”

Will Greenpoint become another Williamsburg?

Nicholas Stover lives and works in Greenpoint.

“I feel conflicted,” Stover said about Greenpoint Landing.

“ I just moved to Greenpoint a year ago. What right do I have to say other people can’t move here?

“I have a Polish landlord and live in an old-fashioned building. I appreciate the historic aspects of the neighborhood,” Stover said.

“I hope these modern towers don’t turn it into another Williamsburg.”

‘An influx of bodies’

Alex Rainer shares his thoughts about the mammoth shoreline development in his neighborhood. Eagle photo by Lore Croghan
Alex Rainer shares his thoughts about the mammoth shoreline development in his neighborhood. Eagle photo by Lore Croghan

Alex Rainer has lived in Greenpoint for seven years. How does he feel about the massive Greenpoint Landing development?

“It’s a complicated issue,” Rainer said.

“I was here before these buildings. They rose super-fast.

“There’s going to be an influx – of bodies. Of cars. It definitely will be a strain on the infrastructure.

“It’s a little bit foreboding, to be honest.”

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