Howard Hughes Corp. has nixed its plan to build a controversial canopy for the new Pier 17’s rooftop in the South Street Seaport.
Last month the Landmarks Preservation Commission questioned the height of the canopy when Hughes went before it with its plan. On Thurs., Sept. 24, Chris Curry, the Hughes executive in charge of the project, told Community Board 1’s Seaport Committee that there would not be a canopy as they were unable to meet the L.P.C.’s specifications.
“We made a number of changes to the canopy proposal per L.P.C.’s request but ultimately could not achieve a viable scenario to gain approval for the canopy,” Curry said in an email statement Friday.
Reps for the company would not answer questions about what specifically could not be met, if an alternative will be proposed or whether this will affect how the space is used. The canopy was to protect the rooftop in inclement weather.
Initially embraced by the community — the canopy was a suggestion of the Seaport Working Group — there were concerns over how it be used and how much access the public would have. C.B. 1 voted against the canopy at its full board meeting in July.
The new Pier 17 design was approved two years ago and Hughes is applying for revisions under a new land use application known as ULURP. Even though the Pier 17 changes are not proceeding, Hughes will still need a new ULURP since it is also proposing to demolish two non-historic buildings and build a new road way for delivery trucks.
– DUSICA SUE MALESEVIC
and JOSH ROGERS
