REPORT: Funny, didn't look to us like they took a vote
Despite what you may have heard, the proposed playground at Burling Slip in the South Street Seaport Historic District is not a fait accompli. NY1 reported “Approval from the Landmarks Preservation Commission appears likely,” and the Tribeca Tribune said, “While the commissioners stopped short of immediately approving the plan, their response was overwhelmingly positive.” The New York Times called LPC’s approval “likely to be granted.” I heard things differently at the LPC public hearing on Tuesday the 9th.
First, a little background. Burling Slip was filled in in 1835. The large Belgian block paved space is now used as a parking lot (and will continue to in part according to the project.) With Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s overwhelming support, David Rockwell, of Nobu and Mohegan Sun fame, has designed and is willing to build a new playground based on child-development theories involving social and fantasy play. It looks like a lot of fun, but is completely out of character with the historic district. While the playground is designed to be an abstract boat, it ends up looking like a kiddie roller coaster or skateboard park. It rises a floor above street level on each end and is surrounded by a chain link fence with a dragon motif woven into it. The design feels to theme-parkish, something the South Street Seaport area has long battled against. HDC commented that a more traditional playground with nautical touches that did not overwhelom the space would be more appropriate.
Chairman Bob Tierney wanted it passed badly though. He started the comments applauding the cooperation, saying how he’s always pleased to see Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe at hearings, how the project is not only imaginative but sensitive to historic preservation. Although there were some details to work out (mostly the height issue that the commissioners had questioned, HDC objected to, and SeaportSpeaks, a local community group, also had issues with), he found it appropriate.
In their comments Commissioners Pablo Vengoechea, Libby Ryan, and Joan Gerner were all favorable, except for the height issue.
Commissioner Richard Olcott was the first to make a major comment. He thought it felt too much like an object in this space. It was imaginative, but “the volume” should be “turned down.” Commissioner Olcott also thought more consideration should be taken for the space as a whole, like a piazza as he put it.
Commissioner Margery Perlmutter agreed and added that it was a blockade for “non-children people.” Referring to historic photos presented of children playing in the area (offered to make a case for the location of a playground) she commented that they weren’t sectioned off. Life took place around the children, noting a horse and carriage moving diagonally through the space. Commissioner Perlmutter thought that the playground would block of natural circulation. – especially at night when it is closed, it will be an obstacle. She continued that the chain link fence was too imposing, and that the playground should be integrated into the total space.
Commissioner Steven Byrnes objected to the project strongly calling it too object-like and theme-parkish. Its design was too curvilinear and had too many levels to fit in with the area. He commented that the South Street Seaport Historic District was already so “fragile and fragmented” and the playground only served to heighten this. A playground should be playful, he agreed, but it should be simpler and toned down.
Commissioner Tom Pike did not like the height and said the playground felt rather sculptural. He also was concerned about restricting the space and being closed down at night.
Commissioner Jan Pokorny felt the fence was too fortress-like.
Chairman Tierney then praised the “excellent discussion.” He said there was “substantial support to approve today” and that he wanted to “move forward without delay.” Commissioner Olcott announced that he was not prepared to vote. Others nodded in agreement. Commissioner Vengoechea wanted to know what could be done to address the slip as a whole. Tierney asked LPC staff if the project could be brought back to the commission in public meeting, not a public hearing, and was told yes. He announced that they would not act formally today, but he reiterated “broad approval” and that he did not wish “to slow it down.”