Chalk one up for the Seaport NIMBYs. The Tribeca Trib reports that an agreement between the city and the Howard Hughes Corporation has been made to hold off on the approval process for the developer's plans for a 50-story SHoP-designed tower beside Pier 17 in the South Street Seaport. The decision comes just one week after the local community board hosted a town hall for neighbors to voice their opposition to the redevelopment plans, which include moving and restoring the historic Tin Building and demolishing the New Market Building to construct the tower. Area residents were vehemently against the hotel/condo tower because they felt it would be out of context with the low-rise historic district. Plus, they really don't want the New Market building, built in 1939 for the Fulton Fish Market, to be razed.
No representatives Howard Hughes commented on the decision, but residents see it as a huge victoryand a huge setback for the developer. A South Street Seaport Task Force will be formed with representatives from local officials, community groups, and the developer to help determine the future of the site. The community previously stated that they will be trying, once again, to get landmarks protection for the New Market Building to prevent Howard Hughes from tearing it down (it currently sits outside the historic district). Howard Hughes will still move forward with the redevelopment of Pier 17 into a glassy SHoP-designed retail and entertainment complex, but plans for the rest of the site remain unknown. It should be noted, though, that the Seaport will still be getting a tower; just by a different developer on a site not owned by the city.
· City Calls a Halt to Developer's South Street Seaport Plans [Tribeca Trib]
· Seaport Residents Trying Hard To Stop Howard Hughes' Tower [Curbed]
· All South Street Seaport coverage [Curbed]
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