Locals debate tower proposed for landmarked Fort Greene church * Brooklyn Paper

"In a heated, 3.5-hour hearing, close to 80 speakers weighed in on whether the Landmarks Preservation Commission should allow a developer to build a 27-story, 240-unit tower using Fort Greene's landmarked Hanson Place Central United Methodist Church as its base. Forty-six speakers supported the plans for the church at 144 St. Felix St., on the corner of Hanson Place, largely citing the need for new housing - and many said the design was respectful of the church, the neighboring Williamsburgh Savings Bank Tower, and the BAM Historic District."

"But 33 opponents argued the project was grossly out of scale, would block views of the iconic clock tower, undermine the church's history and architecture, and amount to "facadism." The commissioners received 95 letters opposing the plan, and 64 supporting it. During the hearing, LPC staff and several speakers reiterated that housing policy is not within the commission's purview. Developers Strek­te have applied to alter the 1930s neo-Gothic church, designed by Halsey, McCormack & Helmer, by demolishing portions of the structure, removing and relocating doors and stained-glass windows, and constructing the tower."

"The proposal includes restoring the church's St. Felix Street and Hanson Place facades; repairing masonry and cast-stone ornamentation; restoring stained glass; removing and preserving religious iconography; replacing windows to meet light and air requirements; and adding new doors, skylights, a roof, and retail and community spaces. The attached 27-story brick-clad tower would step down along both streets and contain 50 to 60 permanently "affordable" - e.g. rent-sta"

A 3.5-hour Landmarks Preservation Commission hearing drew close to 80 speakers to consider a proposal to build a 27-story, 240-unit tower using Hanson Place Central United Methodist Church as its base. Forty-six speakers supported the plans, citing housing needs and respectful design, while 33 opposed them as out of scale, obstructing views and amounting to facadism. The LPC received 95 letters opposing and 64 supporting the proposal and emphasized that housing policy is outside its purview. Developers Strek­te and designers FXCollaborative and ADP Architects propose partial demolition of the 1930s neo-Gothic church, facade and stained-glass restoration, and construction of a brick-clad tower with retail, community space, and 50–60 permanently "affordable" units.

Read at Brooklyn Paper