NEW YORK—A plan for a slim skyscraper is the financial lynchpin to the redevelopment of historic South Street Seaport in Lower Manhattan, according to the Howard Hughes Corporation.
The developer and SHoP Architects said at a public meeting on Nov. 19 that they plan to build a 350-foot tower at the site of the old Fulton fish market. The New Market Building, abandoned since the fish market moved out of the area in 1995, is currently on that site.
The tower would be in contrast to the low-rise buildings and cobblestone streets in the last piece of the city’s historic maritime district.
More than 100 community members booed when they saw an artist rendering of the tower unveiled at the meeting. Howard Hughes Corporation (HHC) said that the tower is key to financing a long list of fixes and redevelopments planned for the district.
“We’re showing you a tall building is necessary to satisfy a lot of the wants and needs of the community,” said Christopher Curry, senior vice president of development with HHC. Curry also said his company is incurring a “huge financial burden on behalf of the city.”
The city-owned land and buildings of the South Street Seaport are leased and managed by HHC. The developer worked closely with the New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC) to make plans for the area. Some complain the two entities excluded the public from the process.
Community stakeholders, advocacy groups, the community board, and elected officials have asked for greater inclusion in the planning process for months. Since as early as Aug. 31, Epoch Times has requested that the HHC and the EDC share plans for the area. The HHC and EDC did not comply.
The Plan
The HHC detailed a plan on Nov. 19 to transform the quaint South Street Seaport into a commercial and entertainment district with waterfront access.
“For months we’ve been asking about a tall building,” said one community board member. “Now we find the issue we’ve been most concerned about is in your plans.”
Other parts of the plan include moving and rebuilding the 106-year-old Tin Building, destroying the New Market Building, extending two city streets to make room for commercial traffic, and building a marina at the foot of the skyscraper. The developer also plans to make space for a 30-foot-wide passage to connect the waterfront esplanade, which runs for miles up and down the East River.
A series of commercial pavilions will also be installed along South Street to make a “two-sided retail street,” according to Gregg Pasquarelli, lead architect on the project with SHoP.
Shouldering the Expense
Throughout the meeting, both Curry and Pasquarelli referred to the expense of the fixes that they want or need to make.
Pasquarelli said that deteriorating pier pilings under a section of the property will be fixed.
“Between 80 and 90 percent of the original piles are deteriorated beyond repair where they cannot carry the load,” said Pasquarelli.
The repairs, he added, will be a “huge expense.” The Tin Building, the New Market Building, and part of the parking lot lie on top of the piles.
The other key aspect of the plans will involve disassembling, moving, reassembling, and adding to the landmarked Tin Building to make way for the East River Esplanade. When reassembled, the Tin Building will also meet new flood-zone standards.
The estimated cost of pier reconstruction, Tin Building restoration, expanding the esplanade, and building the marina will be between $125 million and $150 million, Pasquarelli said.
The HHC does not have any interest in the South Street Seaport Museum, a key part of the area’s historic stewardship.
New Amsterdam Market
Robert La Valva, the head of the New Amsterdam Market, has become a leading community voice against the development and the destruction of the New Market Building. He and his supporters want the New Market Building restored and turned into a vibrant waterfront market akin to those that operate in Seattle and San Francisco.
La Valva has pushed for a master planning process for the district that would require close public involvement. Curry pointed out that La Valva and his market were invited to be part of the redeveloped mall at Pier 17.
“We were invited to be part of the new Pier 17 mall, and I did decline that,” said La Valva. “The reason is very simple. We don’t think this historic district should be led by a suburban shopping mall.”
He said that the value of the South Street Seaport has much to do with the current buildings, their location, and height.
“We also understand the significant problems of the site,” said La Valva. “That being said, what we don’t agree with is the process.”
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