Pier 6 Towers Construction Can Begin Before Final Court Date: Reports

BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — Construction can begin on a controversial Brooklyn Bridge Park development after a judge refused to issue the restraining order requested by a local community group, according to reports.

The Brooklyn Heights Association asked New York State Supreme Court Justice Lucy Billings to prohibit construction on the two Pier 6 towers earlier this month when they received a notice that developers intended to start breaking ground on July 19.

The civic group hoped Billings would prevent RAL Development Services and Oliver’s Realty Group from beginning construction on the 15-story and 28-story buildings until a court appearance, scheduled for Aug. 4, when the justice is expected to rule on whether the towers can be built.

Billings declined to issues the emergency stay, ruling that construction noise did not violate the local environmental codes, as the BHA had argued, the Brooklyn Eagle reported.

But Billings also noted that her decision would force her to rule on the final outcome — whether or not the Brooklyn Bridge Park Corporation is legally permitted to develop the area at the south of the park — very quickly.

The Brooklyn Paper reported that Billings said, “At least you guys have compelled me to make a decision as early as possible.”

Photo by Kathleen Culliton