In a recent ruling, the New York State Court of Appeals rejected the appeal made by the South Street Seaport Coalition regarding the construction of a new high-rise building in the historic South Street Seaport neighborhood. As the highest court in New York State, the Court of Appeals’ decision in favor of developer Howard Hughes Holdings marks the final victory, allowing the construction of the building to proceed.
For years, Howard Hughes Company has been planning to build a 27-story mixed-use building with 400 apartments at 250 Water Street. However, the project faced strong opposition from the local community, who argued that it would disrupt the historical character of the neighborhood.
The South Street Seaport Coalition filed a lawsuit in July 2022, and last year, Justice Arthur Engoron of the state Supreme Court ruled in favor of halting the development. However, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court overturned Engoron’s decision in June of the same year. The Court of Appeals’ dismissal of the appeal on May 21st upheld the Appellate Division’s ruling.
With the development project already approved by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission and the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP), the rejection of the appeal by the Court of Appeals clears the final hurdle for the building to be constructed.
David O’Reilly, the CEO of Howard Hughes Company, stated in a release that the Court of Appeals’ decision signifies a significant victory for Lower Manhattan and the City of New York. He emphasized that the project will make a significant contribution to the community. The South Street Seaport Coalition also issued a statement, alleging backdoor dealings between the developer and the city government while criticizing the Court of Appeals for setting a bad precedent for future protection of historic districts.
According to amNY, local residents and groups continue to oppose the large-scale development project. City Council member Christopher Marte of the local district stated that residents are already feeling the impact of the construction site on the environment and safety issues. He pledged to work with the community to ensure that the developer complies with legal requirements. The “Children First NYC” organization, which opposes the development, highlighted the presence of lead, mercury, and other harmful toxins in the soil of the construction site, posing a threat to the health of children and adults once construction begins. Howard Hughes Company, on the other hand, stated that environmental remediation was completed last year.
This ruling has sparked ongoing debate and concerns within the community, as stakeholders weigh the benefits of development against its potential drawbacks on the neighborhood’s heritage and environment.