Proposed Towers Could Cast BK Botanic Garden In Harmful Shadow

CROWN HEIGHTS, BROOKLYN -- The Brooklyn Botanic Garden, City Councilwoman Laurie Cumbo and a hoard of New Yorkers expressed serious concerns Tuesday over plans for two controversial high-rise towers that might cast the century-old garden in shadow.

"I will not support any proposal that would substantially harm the operations of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden," stated Cumbo, through chief of operations Crystal Hudson, at a City Planning Commission meeting on the proposed 960 Franklin Ave. development.

New Yorkers clapped and cheered when Hudson added, "The garden's conservatory, greenhouses and nursery are a jewel of Brooklyn, a jewel that needs to be preserved."

About 100 New Yorkers came to the City Planning Commission to discuss an upcoming environmental study of the mega-development, which would bring 1,578 new apartments to Crown Heights.

Developers Lincoln Equities and Continuum Company are requesting zoning changes from the city to allow for two 39-story, approximately 420-foot tall towers 150 feet away from the garden, city records show.

Representatives who presented the plans to the City Planning Commission and the public Tuesday afternoon promised an environmental study on the buildings' shadows was underway, but argued the development would probably not affect the gardens at all.

"Based on preliminary findings, no significant adverse shadows impacts are anticipated on the Brooklyn Botanic Garden," said a Continuum spokesperson.

But the group admitted it has been unable to reach Brooklyn Botanic Garden officials to discuss the developers' plans and environmental study.

“For well over a year, representatives from The Continuum Company have requested through various intermediaries to engage in a constructive dialogue," a spokesperson stated. “To date, all outreach and requests to meet have been rejected.

But Brooklyn Botanic Garden president Scott Medbury did not reject an invitation to discuss the proposal with the Wall Street Journal, which reported Tuesday that garden leadership fear the shadows will "disrupt the operations of 21 greenhouses, nurseries and other growing spaces where thousands of plant species are grown."

“We’re worried that less light can lead to poorer plant health, ” Medbury reportedly said, "greater problems with fungal diseases."

The Brooklyn Botanic Garden did not immediately respond to Patch's requests for comments, but locals echoed his concerns and called on Brooklyn residents to protest developers' plans.

"I don't believe that they are all powerful," said community activist Alicia Boyd. "At the end of the day, this is our garden, our park, our community, our homes and our land."