It was standing room only with people overflowing into the lobby last night at 101 Clark Street’s Pineapple Walk forum. Hosted by the Board of Directors at Cadman Towers, attendees and speakers included New York City Council Member Stephen Levin as well as representatives from State Senator Velmanette Montgomery’s office and Councilwoman Nydia Valasquez’s office. Peter Bray, the Brooklyn Heights Association Executive Director also addressed the huge audience estimated at 200, as did 140 Cadman Plaza West’s Community Affairs Chair Roberto Gaultier, a well known community activist. The event was chaired by Roberto Benitez, Board Chairman and Toba Potosky, Board President of Cadman Towers.

Press in attendance included the Brooklyn Eagle, The Brooklyn Paper as well as a camera from local cable station News12 who interviewed shareholders at Cadman Towers and Cadman Plaza North (140 Cadman Plaza West.) There were a significant number of people from 75 Henry Street as well including one who spoke in favor of the development, much to the crowd’s dismay. He pointed out that only a small percentage at 75 Henry would be affected by the loss of view and that this “is a lot of money we can use in our capitol fund.” We also learned at this meeting that there is actually a committee in formation of 75 Henry Street shareholders who are opposed to the sale.

Mr. Potosky will compose a letter summarizing the community’s objections directed to Whitman Owners Corp. Objections are primarily based on the overstressed infrastructure in the North Heights with our loss of Long Island College Hospital, an already overcrowded public school, overburdened subway stations at Clark and High Streets and an already impossible parking situation.

Council Member Levin told the anxious audience he was not aware this was happening until recently. Because this is a private deal, he told the crowd that the City has no say in the issue but he will help the community any way he can. Mr. Bray of the Brooklyn Heights Association told those in attendance that this piece of land should remain true to what it was meant to be when City planners built affordable housing here staring in 1967. “This area was not meant for a luxury high rise,” he said.

There was also a speaker from Pineapple Walk merchant Rocco & Jezebel as well as one from the Committee for Libraries, fresh from the debate over what may end up in yet another residential tower on the site of the Brooklyn Public Library, Brooklyn Heights branch. 140 Cadman resident Maxine Friedman pointed out how promises are always made by developers and many times they never happen, such as the affordable housing promised at the Atlantic Yards tract. A representative from Community Board 2 also spoke at the forum.

A key take-away for this writer was the comment that once the land is sold, the developer can do whatever they want. Maybe they’ll decide on a 60-story tower instead of 40. An excellent analogy was made of the development of Pier House, the luxury condo and hotel at Brooklyn Bridge Park. As many now know all too well, it’s bigger and taller than what it was promised to be. Yes, once they own it, they own it. Too bad if you don’t like what they do. Developers say, “don’t worry, the new building will have shops.” This reporter fears those new shops will be Chase Bank, Starbucks and Duane Reade. Just what we need in Brooklyn Heights.

-Keith Klein