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Please help save this amazing view.

SlopeDuder — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 15:22:36 +0000

Just came across this article by coincidence, isn't this the building that will block the view? <a href="http://www.rew-online.com/2012/12/05/developers-start-drooling-union-deal-paves-way-for-modular-construction/" rel="nofollow">http://www.rew-online.com/2012/12/05/developers-start-drooling-union-deal-paves-way-for-modular-construction/</a>

Please help save this amazing view.

Smokin' Joe — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 00:56:46 +0000

<blockquote><cite>Smokin' Joe <a href="http://brooklynian.com/forum/park-slope/please-help-save-this-amazing-view-1#post-761661">said</a>:</cite> didn't we already cover this <a href="http://brooklynian.com/forum/prospect-heights/grand-army-plaza-alignment">here</a>? </blockquote> <blockquote><cite>prodigalson <a href="http://brooklynian.com/forum/park-slope/please-help-save-this-amazing-view-1#post-761909">said</a>:</cite> I believe something like this was posted a couple of years ago on this forum. </blockquote> my post actually has a link to that thread in the word "here."

Please help save this amazing view.

whynot_31 — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 19:55:33 +0000

I am kind of disappointed there was no reference to Numerology in the article. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Numerology" rel="nofollow">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Numerology</a>

Please help save this amazing view.

Mamacita — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 19:39:28 +0000

Nice coverage Richard. <a href="http://www.brooklynpaper.com/stories/35/48/dtg_empireview_2012_11_30_bk.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.brooklynpaper.com/stories/35/48/dtg_empireview_2012_11_30_bk.html</a> <blockquote>A picturesque view of the Empire State Building framed by Grand Army Plaza’s iconic arch is in danger of being blocked forever. The 102-story skyscraper perfectly bisects the Solders’ and Sailors’ Arch when viewed from a not-so-well-known vantage point just inside Prospect Park — but long-time Park Sloper Richard Kessler fears a proposed tower in the Atlantic Yards mega-development will obstruct his favorite vista before the borough can truly appreciate its grandeur. “It’s a very beautiful sight that shouldn’t be lost,” said Kessler, 66, who started an online petition last month urging locals to “save the view.” The development company Forest City Ratner plans to erect a 219-foot tall residential high-rise only half a mile from Grand Army Plaza on Atlantic Avenue near Sixth Avenue. When that building is finished, Kessler worries that tree branches and a light pole won’t be the only things in the foreground when he and other onlookers lean against a lamppost at the start of Prospect Park’s East Drive — the only spot where the vista reveals itself. “It would perfectly block the Empire State Building,” said Kessler, who has taken to calling the vantage point “Brooklyn Mirador.” “If I put my back against that lamppost and I see an apartment building instead of the Empire State Building, I got no interest.” The Solders’ and Sailors’ Arch was completed in 1892 — 40 years before the Empire State building climbed into the clouds — but this preservationist believes the fortuitous placement is no coincidence. Though he has no documentation to back up his case, Kessler claims the arch — and an 1869 statue of Abraham Lincoln that once stood in front of it — points right at the former Astor mansion five miles away on Fifth Avenue in an attempt by architects to challenge the wealthy family because they opposed the Great Emancipator’s efforts to end slavery. The Astor family’s home is now the site of the Empire State Building, and a number of later monuments — including the Grand Army Plaza’s 1932 Bailey Fountain and the park’s 1965 John F. Kennedy memorial — also line up with the viewing corridor, only bolstering its significance, according to Kessler. “These things are in a straight line and nature doesn’t make straight lines like this. This is something that was done on purpose,” said Kessler, who suspects that Grand Army Plaza designers Frederick Olmsted and Calvert Vaux knew about the axis when the arch rose in the late 1800s. As of press time, Kessler has gathered 51 signatures pushing for the preservation of the “Brooklyn Mirador” on Change.org. He is seeking an additional 99,949 backers. Once he rounds up enough supporters, Kessler hopes to deliver the petition to the Brooklyn Museum, the Smithsonian Institute, and the city’s Landmark’s Preservation Commission — which already ruled against his previous request to preserve the vista. “We determined that the corridor is ineligible because it does not meet the definition of a New York City landmark,” said Landmarks spokeswoman Elisabeth De Bourbon. Forest City Ratner spokesman Joe DePlasco would not comment on the viewing corridor, but said the entire Atlantic Yards plan already received an environmental review when “scale and size” were up for discussion. But the history-obsessed fanatic will not give up. “I know for sure this is a significant thing,” said Kessler. “It would be terrible to lose it.” This isn’t the first time Brooklyn preservationists have fought to save a long-distance viewing corridor: history lovers battled a now-finished condo development they claimed would sully a Green-Wood Cemetery vista in which a statue of the goddess Minerva appears to wave at the Statue of Liberty. And in DUMBO, neighbors and celebrities rallied against a planned tower they fear will block views of the Brooklyn Bridge.</blockquote> <img src="http://www.brooklynpaper.com/assets/photos/35/48/dtg_empireview_2012_11_30_bk01_z.jpg">

Please help save this amazing view.

ringrunner — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 16:59:50 +0000

I met Richard a few times and I read his book. He really believes that this alignment was a plan. It is not about the Empire State Building, but the fact that when the Arch was built that plot of land was occupied by a pro slavery family... Or something like that. <blockquote>In 1865, as the Civil War ended, the Brooklyn Park's elliptical entrance plaza was planned so its axis would point at the 350 Fifth Avenue mansion of William Backhouse Astor Jr. His father, William Backhouse Astor Sr. was a leader of a group of influential Democratic politicians and merchants. This group, weeks after the election of Lincoln in November 1860, in order to prevent war or secession, held the 'Pine Street Meeting'. They appointed a committee headed by former President Fillmore that was to assure the South and Jefferson Davis of their support to amend the Constitution to provide permanent protection for slavery. Their activities may have contributed to the atmosphere which led to the Draft Riots of July 1863 and continuing strong northern anti-Lincoln sentiment.</blockquote>

Please help save this amazing view.

BKChickie — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 23:38:58 +0000

As far as I know, a designation as a "National Art Treasure" does nothing to protect this accidental view corridor. In fact, I've never even heard of this designation.

Please help save this amazing view.

whynot_31 — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 13:48:04 +0000

<a href="http://brooklynian.com/forum/prospect-heights/grand-army-plaza-alignment" rel="nofollow">http://brooklynian.com/forum/prospect-heights/grand-army-plaza-alignment</a>

Please help save this amazing view.

prodigalson — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 10:11:35 +0000

Please help save this amazing view.

ganjibus — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 16:42:40 +0000

Are you kidding? First of all, it's not that amazing a view. Secondly, The Empire State Building did not exist in 1865. Finally, you've just got to be kidding.

Please help save this amazing view.

Smokin' Joe — Sat, 17 Nov 2012 00:22:37 +0000

didn't we already cover this <a href="http://brooklynian.com/forum/prospect-heights/grand-army-plaza-alignment">here</a>?

Please help save this amazing view.

ringrunner — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 22:24:19 +0000

Oh.

Please help save this amazing view.

whynot_31 — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 22:22:39 +0000

ringrunner, A future building will take this view from the mythical 30' tall people; they are the only ones able to presently see it.

Please help save this amazing view.

ringrunner — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 21:59:20 +0000

What is going to take this view from us?

Please help save this amazing view.

Walkathon — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 20:54:08 +0000

This is a beautiful view and a good example of Ratner ruining things for everyone once again.

Please help save this amazing view.

steveo — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 15:44:39 +0000

I looked at the petition, but I wasn't able to determine quickly what we're saving the view from. Might I suggest editing it down to the bare facts for clarity?

Please help save this amazing view.

admiN — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 11:23:23 +0000

richard sent this photo and asked for it to be posted:

Please help save this amazing view.

Mamacita — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 14:41:46 +0000

I've deleted all the duplicate posts. Richard, good luck with this, but please keep it to one post. Thx! <img src="http://brooklynian.com/forum/my-plugins/bb-smilies/default/icon_smile.gif" title=":-)" class="bb_smilies" />

Please help save this amazing view.

SlopeDuder — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 13:05:49 +0000

Why is this thread posted 4 times? Also bohuma i completely agree. Cool views are being blocked and created all the time. its the nature of a living city. I almost feel like this could be a troll, who could care so much about this.

Please help save this amazing view.

bohuma — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 13:00:22 +0000

If the view is virtually unknown, why do we need to save it?

Please help save this amazing view.

richard — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 12:54:47 +0000

As viewed from Prospect Park, the tower of the Empire State Building precisely bisects the interior of Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch in Brooklyn’s Grand Army Plaza at a 90-degree angle. This photo was taken Nov. 11, 2012. This view has evolved from the original 1865 plans of artists Calvert Vaux and Frederick Law Olmsted. The view is threatened by Building 6 of Atlantic Yards at 219 feet. As this view is virtually unknown, a petition to designate it as a ‘National Art Treasure’ in hopes of preserving it is addressed to: The Brooklyn Museum, the Brooklyn Historical Society and the Smithsonian Institute. <a href="http://www.change.org/petitions/olmsted-and-vaux-national-art-treasure-threatened#" rel="nofollow">http://www.change.org/petitions/olmsted-and-vaux-national-art-treasure-threatened#</a><a href='http://brooklynian.com/forum/tags/share'>share</a>?utm_source=guides&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=weekly_summary For supporting details, please visit my website <a href="http://brooklynmirador.com/" rel="nofollow">http://brooklynmirador.com/</a>