A Department of City Planning and Economic Development Corporation joint public meeting to discuss the environmental impacts of the Downtown Brooklyn Plan assuming the development of the Atlantic Yards arena plan, is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 23, at 6 pm in Borough Hall.

The Downtown Brooklyn Plan, a complex rezoning project that paves the way for soaring office towers, is currently wending its way through the city’s land use review process and was the subject of a hearing last Wednesday.

The city announced plans to amend the environmental impact statement for that plan following developer Bruce Ratner’s purchase of the New Jersey Nets last month. In December, Ratner unveiled plans to build a $2.5 billion arena, office tower and apartment complex stretching east onto Prospect Heights from the intersection of Flatbush and Atlantic avenues.

The Ratner plan would include nearly 8 million square feet of development — the equivalent of almost four Empire State Buildings — including 4,500 residential units.

The tallest of the 17 buildings, proposed for Flatbush and Atlantic avenues, within the boundaries of the Downtown Plan, would reach 620 feet, more than 100 feet taller than the nearby Williamsburgh Bank building, which is currently the tallest structure in the borough.
The arena plan also calls for widening Flatbush Avenue by 10 feet between Atlantic Avenue and Dean Street.

The arena plans are expected to face a much less rigorous state environmental review process.

©2004 Community Newspaper Group