Pier 17 Proposal May Face Opposition

According to The New York Times, a proposal for the redevelopment of South Street Seaport's Pier 17 may face some opposition. General Growth Management, the operator of the seaport's retail space, is looking to build out the downtown area with more retail, hotel, and community space, but the project—specifically, a 42-story apartment and hotel tower—is drawing negative comments from the community, including Councilman Alan J. Gerson. It seems the issue at hand is not just the height of the building, but the idea that it may block public access to the waterfront.Designed by SHoP Architects, the proposal also includes 30,000 square feet of space for community programs, a specialty market, and retail structures. In total, the plan calls for 375,140 square feet of hotel space, which will add to the already booming number of hospitality properties being developed in Lower Manhattan.