Plan for Towers Looms Over Local Objections!

by Voyager 12 Replies latest jw friends

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  Voyager

  Hi Friends: ( Credit for this goes to Debbie).

  DUMBO

  Plan for Towers Looms Over Local Objections

  By JAKE MOONEY
  Published: May 30, 2004
  
  

  long-discussed proposal from the Jehovah's Witnesses to build a 1,000-unit residence hall and parking garage in Dumbo, Brooklyn, has reached the desks of city planners, worrying residents who are troubled by the project's size.

  "Right now you think of Dumbo as 12-story buildings and 8-story buildings," said Nancy Webster, president of the Dumbo Neighborhood Association. "These are going to be 14, 16, 18 and 20."

  The development at 85 Jay Street would cover the three-acre block bounded by Jay, Front, York and Bridge Streets. The religious group plans to house some 2,000 staff members, as well as an underground garage big enough for 1,100 cars, according to a rezoning request submitted to the Department of City Planning last month.

  The Jehovah's Witnesses own about 30 buildings in Brooklyn Heights and Dumbo, which they use for offices, printing facilities, residences and shipping. The new residential buildings would bring life to an unpopulated lot, the proposal argues, while the parking garage is necessary because construction of the planned Brooklyn Bridge Park will force the society out of 700 spaces it leases on Pier 5. Calls to a Witnesses spokesman, Richard Devine, went unreturned.

  Dumbo has between 1,500 and 4,000 residents - estimates vary - and the addition of 2,000 in a building that includes four towers has many residents concerned. Councilman David Yassky, whose district includes Dumbo, wants the Witnesses to pay for improvements to the adjacent York Street subway station and a nearby park. "My concern,'' he said, "is to make sure the infrastructure is upgraded along with the massive influx of people."

  Thread:

  http://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/30/nyregion/thecity/30witn.html

  Backup thread:

  http://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/30/nyregion/thecity/30witn.html

  Thanks-Voyager
• 

  Odrade

  how many J-dub residents will even be left in Brooklyn after all the transitions are finished. It's glaringly obvious this is just a real estate development deal that WT is going to try and build with volunteer labor then sell and make a killing on...
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  RevMalk

  how many J-dub residents will even be left in Brooklyn after all the transitions are finished. It's glaringly obvious this is just a real estate development deal that WT is going to try and build with volunteer labor then sell and make a killing on...

  Exactly, you hit the nail right on the head.
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  Odrade

  Has the WT announced in the congregations yet that they are planning to build these huge residences in DUMBO? I wonder what the faithful are saying about it? They can't possibly believe there is going to be some future expansion of Brooklyn Bethel could they? (god, I feel like Minimus...) I'm just wondering if I can bring the subject up to my dub family...

  O
• 

  sf

  ~sigh~

  I feel that I really need to go to New York to explain why the WTBTS really must cease to exist. Let alone that the owning of thirty buildings by an organization that draws up pictures of govt buildings, children and pets being destroyed by the hands of theit wt god.

  This is just insanity.

  I do not grasp why it has been ALLOWED to continue to even exist. I plan to do something about this, and soon. I might not actually get to New York with this message, yet I certainly plan on getting the message out some way, some how.

  Frankly, I am sick of it all.

  sKally
• 

  cyber-sista

  how many J-dub residents will even be left in Brooklyn after all the transitions are finished. It's glaringly obvious this is just a real estate development deal that WT is going to try and build with volunteer labor then sell and make a killing on...

  Just heard that one of the elder's sons in my ex-congo is being shipped off to a big bld. project and I wonder if it is this one. I feel really sorry for him as it is obvious he hates being a JW, but has very controlling parents who want to sacrifice their son to the Org. He is a rather nervous and inhibited young man and has grown up in this very small town and been homeschooled for years now--very sheltered. He is not a pioneer and quite obviously does not like being out in service either, but gets dragged around by his parents. I thought it used to be if you were going on these sorts of assignments that you had to be a pioneer for a period of time (?) or maybe that is just if you go to work at Bethel. I can't imagine this kid making it without having a nervous breakdown in the process--he seems so frail. I really feel for him. The last assembly I went to (the summer before last I believe) there was a real call for young people to get out there and work for the Org. A pamphlet was released then and it reminded me of an army recruitment ad. They are obviously short of help and looking for more workers. It made me feel weird at the time and now I know why. Knowing this kid and his "spiritual" condition I think they are taking about all they can get. I really feel for him.
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  Kenneson

  Is Armageddon experiencing a delay? Don't go to college so you can come build up our Watchtower empire.
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  stichione

  I don't get it. If the end of the world is just around the corner, only a short while longer, soon, etc. etc. etc., why are they planning on building skyscrapers? And I thought they let go 1,000 a few months ago. What's up?
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  Mary

  A long-discussed proposal from the Jehovah's Witnesses to build a 1,000-unit residence hall and parking garage in Dumbo, Brooklyn, has reached the desks of city planners

  The Borg wants to build a hall in a place called Dumbo?? LMAO!! Well, it certainly would be an appropriate place for them to build!!
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  xjw_b12

  Odrade. I think you got it bang on. If they've moved the printing facillities to Wallkill, why do they need more residences? Less I would think.

  Of course bigger buildings do make easier targets.