The DUMBO hearing at LPC went astonishingly well, over 30 people spoke in favor – including Jed Walentas. The BID, who had been problematic about the designation , spoke in vague support – mostly to ask the LPC to make sure that the area’s Belgian block streets were protected (and restored) and asking that LPC be lenient to ground floor retail. Two representatives of a property owner of seven buildings requested that his buildings be designated as “no style” or “non-contributing” in the designation report that they could be redeveloped appropriately. HDC spoke after them and requested that if LPC was going to do that, they should be serious about their role in design review and also designate the parking lots and vacant lots next to the district to help guide appropriate development there.
LPC is is keeping the record open for a week, but it feels like the designation is definitely fast-tracked.