The combatants in the battle over 160 Imlay St. in Red Hook were back in court yesterday. As you may recall, plans to build 150 lux condos at that site are on hold thanks to a late '04 ruling in favor of the local chamber of commerce. Now, leaders of the opposition, who say local rents have already gone up in anticipation of the development, are claiming that the building's assumed excellence will put them in further jeopardy:
"The building will be such a great place to be, they're going to want to convert every other commercial space to get the same views," Tom Russo, president of the C of C and owner of Collisionville auto body shop, told the Daily News. "It's a lifestyle that's not compatible with our style of business."Developer Bruce Batkin reportedly countered by insisting that the condos will actually be very uncomfortable ("Small kitchens, really tiny," he said.) [photo by Jori Klein/Brooklyn Papers]
· Foes: Condos squeeze rents [Daily News]
· More from Red Hook: 160 Imlay Developers Are Sad [Curbed]
· Red Hook Development on Hold for Next 12 Seconds [Curbed]