Jehovah's Witnesses Seek To Expand Presence In Brooklyn

by Larry 28 Replies latest jw friends

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  Larry

  August 05, 2004 On NY1 Now: News All Day Weather: Wet & Cloudy, High 79

  Top Stories Jehovah's Witnesses Seek To Expand Presence In Brooklyn AUGUST 05TH, 2004 They're known for their Watchtower literature and their towering buildings at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge. Now, Jehovah's Witnesses want to expand their religious headquarters beyond the Manhattan Bridge, transforming a three-acre parking lot into a large residential complex that would house nearly 2,000 members. ?Our current plans call for buildings of 20, 18, 16 and 14 stories with the dining hall and assembly hall and being about three stories,? said Richard Devine of the Watchtower Society, an organization of Jehovah's Witnesses. Their dream is to build this on property. But the Watchtower Society still has to go through the city's land-use review process to get the proper approvals and a zoning change that would turn a manufacturing district into a residential one. There are already about 2,000 people living in the area, which is on the edge of DUMBO and Vinegar Hill. ?This project would double the population of DUMBO-Vinegar Hill, which is a huge impact on a neighborhood,? said City Councilman David Yassky. ?My concern is whether the infrastructure of the neighborhood can handle that.? Yassky and the local community board have asked the Watchtower Society to make improvements to the neighborhood, like fixing up a public park. The organization says that although that is a reasonable request, it is not interested in Yassky's recommendation to upgrade the York Street train station as well. Some residents say Jehovah?s Witnesses should be doing more to accommodate the community, like adding retail space and scaling down the project. ?The height is an issue, because it's out of the context with the neighborhood,? said Christy Nyberg of the DUMBO Neighborhood Association. ?This is a really large project to put down in a relatively small neighborhood.? The Watchtower Society says that it's considering reducing the height of one of its buildings but that retail is out of the question because it conflicts with its standing as a religious non-profit. However, the society says the main building would have a well-lit, large, open lobby to add to the vibrancy of the community, as well as green open space. Plans also call for underground parking for more than 1,000 cars. ?Ten years ago you couldn't have imagined it as a place to live, and so we never bought it with the idea that that would be a future use,? Devine said. ?But obviously the area has changed quite a bit. We've seen a real resurgence there.? The next step for the Watchtower Society is a public hearing held by the Brooklyn borough president, expected to happen early next month. Then, the plan goes before the city Planning Commission and the City Council. - Jeanine Ramirez
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  wednesday

  I see this goes before the city council. anyway to block this?
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  willyloman

  I'm a little confused about why they need so much new housing there, when everything I read indicates they are down-sizing Brooklyn and moving away. Can anyone clarify?
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  metatron

  It's all about making money. They sell off many of their other Brooklyn properties which have greatly appreciated

  thru the years and then build new buildings on land they already own using mostly free labor from Witnesses who

  love construction work. They come out ahead.

  $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

  metatron
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  kls

  Oh but the end is coming anytime now, so why the need to expand and they use their donations only for the purpose of preaching ,RIGHT!
  
  
  
  
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  RunningMan

  The neighborhood must really hate this. 2000 people who use infrastructure, but do not pay tax or participate in the community in any way, while blocking everyone else's view with highrises.

  I hope one of those big cracks in the earth from the Paradise book opens up and swallows the whole place at Armageddon.
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  BONEZZ

  I think we should all call Watchtower spokesman, Dick Devine (isn't that what they do to their members?), and give him hell!

  Maybe some calls to the councilman too. I don't think an organization that is currently embroiled in child abuse suits around the country should be allowed to expand their operations into a nice family neighborhood like Dumbo.

  -BONEZZ
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  qwerty

  They're known for their Watchtower literature and their towering buildings at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge.

  Sounds about right. Their not know for Bible education. I wonder why!

  Qwerty
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  Odrade

  ditto what everyone else has said, plus:

  the society says the main building would have a well-lit, large, open lobby to add to the vibrancy of the community, as well as green open space.

  and this would serve the community how? when they have security gates, security doors, and security guards to keep everyone out who does not have a WTS issued ID pass?

  I agree, is there anyway we can help stop this?

  O
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  BONEZZ

  I found David Yassky's website and while he does not have a direct email, they do offer the following info and email address.....

  The District Office: Constituent Services, Scheduling and Press

  The district office is devoted principally to local matters and constituent services. The staff divides their office responsibilities on a neighborhood by neighborhood basis. Scheduling requests are also handled at the district office. Please see the descriptions below for the appropriate person to contact if you have a problem or request.

  For questions pertaining to Brooklyn Heights, Boerum Hill, Cobble Hill, Greenpoint, Fulton Ferry Landing, DUMBO, and Vinegar Hill, please contact Marian Wood, Director of Constituent Services. She works at the district office and can be reached at (718) 875-5200 ext. 13. Her email is [email protected] .

  SHOULDN'T THE DUMBO NEIGHBORHOOD FAMILIES KNOW THAT THERE ARE FILES IN THE HEADQUARTERS NEXT DOOR TO THEM WITH OVER 20,000 CHILD ABUSERS?? Should the city council at least postpone their request until after some of the abuse cases are resolved? Maybe I (or someone) can dig up the address of the loyal opposition. We need to band with them.

  -BONEZZ