Two controversial property developments in Brooklyn lead to two different outcomes

Where once a modest, brick single-family home sat, soon an eight-story, multi-unit apartment complex will occupy. According to Property Shark, the building located at 185 Ocean Ave. in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Prospect-Lefferts Garden sold for $1.2 million in May 2007, meaning it went for about 3 percent over the asking price. The permit is for a 22,000-square-foot residential building, but it is unclear if it will be condos or rental units.

The development has not been smooth sailing. Many residents sought to get historic landmark status for 185 Ocean and the other row houses on the block. The 12 attached houses achieved landmark status in 2009, while 185 Ocean was demolished. The lot sat empty until early 2010 when construction began. Oddly, the development property shares a driveway with 189 Ocean, which is a small three-story home granted landmark status.

A few blocks away on Lincoln Road, construction has yet to begin on the vacant area at 27 Lincoln Road. This project, by developer Henry Herbst, has also brought controversy and protest demonstrations to Prospect-Lefferts Garden. The proposed plan was to build a 20-story glass tower with 86 condos and retail space on the ground level. Now, however, the land is back on the market after two years of sitting empty. The broker for Park Tower Associates suggested that the property may become rental units by 2013 or 2014.

"It's too bad [185 Ocean Ave.] was demolished for a larger building on the park," said Bryan Greene, an Ocean Avenue resident. "But it will be interesting to see what a new building on Lincoln Road will bring to the neighborhood." Gazing at the colorful murals on the walls outside 27 Lincoln he added, "Especially if it adds affordable housing or, in my dreams, a community garden."

Sources
http://a810-bisweb.nyc.gov/bisweb/JobsQueryByNumberServlet?requestid=2&passjobnumber=302378317&passdocnumber=01

http://www.brownstoner.com/brownstoner/archives/2010/03/development_wat_586.php

http://ny.curbed.com/archives/2010/09/10/its_lights_out_for_glassy_planned_prospect_park_tower.php