The Domino Sugar Refinery is located on Kent Avenue in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. It was officially closed down in 2004. The Domino Sugar Refinery is located on Kent Avenue in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. It was officially closed down in 2004.
Community Preservation Corp. (CPC), has created a $1.5 billion dollar plan. It will include:- 4 acres of open space
- 2,200 new apartments
- 30% of the new apartments would be affordable housing units
- 274,000 square feet of retail space
City Council Member Steve Levin, Democratic Assemblyman Vito Lopez and the Community Board of District 1 in Williamsburg are opposed to the plan due to the heavy influx of daily commuters on the L train City Council Member Steve Levin, Democratic Assemblyman Vito Lopez and the Community Board of District 1 in Williamsburg are opposed to the plan due to the heavy influx of daily commuters on the L trainAshley Thompson is the legislative director for Levin and released a statement stating that Levin is supporting Community Board 1 (and residents of Williamsburg) who oppose the plan because of the strain it would put on the “already inadequate transit system”. - The project is simply too big. CPC’s plan would introduce over 6,000 new residents to the neighborhood – a nearly 25% population increase for the ½ mile area surrounding the site.
Brooklyn Borough President Markowitz and Mayor Bloomberg have ruled in favor of the housing project plan. This has come as a surprise for many who believed the Brooklyn Borough president was likely to rule in favor of Councilman Levin.
The following is a satellite image of the factory and the surrounding area: The following is a satellite image of the factory and the surrounding area:
On our walking tour along Kent Ave there were several vacant developments and in progress construction zones On our walking tour along Kent Ave there were several vacant developments and in progress construction zones
The structural integrity of the Domino Sugar Factory building has been compromised. It’s surrounded by scaffolding, the windows are broken, the building is barricaded and under 24 hour video surveillance, and it emits a molasses like stench The structural integrity of the Domino Sugar Factory building has been compromised. It’s surrounded by scaffolding, the windows are broken, the building is barricaded and under 24 hour video surveillance, and it emits a molasses like stench
View of the Domino Sugar Factory from Kent Avenue.- The Domino Sugar sign will be landmarked
- The refinery building itself will be converted into a museum with open space for visitors to create and display artwork of their own. These would be called artist rooms and are modeled after the Tate Museum of London.
Alternative angles and views of the buildings Alternative angles and views of the buildings
We conducted approximately 30 interviews. We gave the interviewees the following information: We conducted approximately 30 interviews. We gave the interviewees the following information: - Community Preservation Corp., has been commissioned to create a plan for the Domino Sugar Refinery. Their $1.5 billion plan includes:
- 4 acres of open space
- 2,200 new apartments, 30% of which are affordable housing units
- 274,000 square feet of retail space
- Community Board 1 and City Councilman Steve Levin object to the plan for the following reasons:
The following are various quotations from interviewees demonstrating the diverse opinions of Williamsburg residents on what to make of the space: The following are various quotations from interviewees demonstrating the diverse opinions of Williamsburg residents on what to make of the space:- “I definitely want to see the building landmarked if it’s practical from a safety perspective” – Zack (hipster employee of K-Rock Screen printing)
- “The housing project is pretty boring. I’d like the freedom to go into the factory. Art or studio space would be cool”- Tim and Aaron (residents and photographers)
- “I don’t want to see any more affordable housing. I’m not a fan of city-funded housing, but I wouldn’t mind condos”- Greg (Williamsburg resident)
- “That many more housing units is just not feasible, there aren’t enough trains. If there were fewer units that were all affordable and an improvement to the transit system”- Liz (Williamsburg resident)
- “Bloomberg wants everyone to work in midtown and commute outward. The trains are already congested in the morning and a ferry won’t help unless you work downtown. They should use the space for small business interests, retail and industry. I’m sick of seeing bars here. Money should stay in Brooklyn”- J.D. (Williamsburg Resident and manager of the local Oslo Coffee Shop)
Conclusions drawn based on interviews: Conclusions drawn based on interviews: - Certain demographics of people wanted similar projects to be undertaken
- The space can accommodate the varying ideas, however, in smaller scales.
Our plan would incorporate aspects of several suggestions provided by interviewed residents. Our plan would incorporate aspects of several suggestions provided by interviewed residents. We propose a mixed-use space:- Instead of 2,200 apartment units we would have 1,100, 80% of which would be affordable housing. Overwhelmingly, people did not want to see more condos, therefore more affordable housing and less housing in general adheres to the wishes of residents.
- Extension of existing bus lines would alleviate most stress over the L-Train influx
- Landmark the Domino Sugar Refinery sign
- Remodel the factory building into a mixed-use building. It would include a mini-museum on the first floor as a ode to Brooklyn’s industrial history and studio spaces in the elevated portion of the buildings
- We will maintain the original 4 acres of open space as proposed by the CPC
- We will use the remaining square footage not used for housing for retail/ industry purposes.
Existing bus and subway lines: Existing bus and subway lines:
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