WHY DO WE HAVE BACKYARDS?
Housing designers in 19th century New York City planned houses with backyards that would make a communal greenspace as a reaction to the overcrowding, disease, and pollution of the slums created by the Industrial Revolution. Such open-center blocks maximized sunlight and ventilation to prevent the spread of disease; they were also thought to make urban living less stressful.
Although the original designers did not have to worry about climate change, the backyards also help to lower the temperature of the neighborhood and absorb excess rainwater. In a sea of concrete and asphalt, these back yards also provide a haven for wildlife like birds, butterflies, squirrels, and the disappearing bees. Real-estate developers don’t care.
WHAT WILL DIE FOR ANOTHER LUXURY BUILDING?
Here is just some of the nature that will die so that the rich can enjoy their roof terraces in the sky and in-house wine bars in the planned 85-unit luxury apartment building called the 416 4th Avenue Project. T
First up is the neighborhood tree, a decades-old apple tree that provides pollen for bees, space for wildlife, and food for the same critters; it will be the first to die because it is in the way of the proposed building.
Rose of Sharon trees, like these in bloom, grow in many yards, but they will also be ripped out for profit.
The plants in this garden on 4th Avenue will slowly die from lack of sunlight as the massive luxury apartment building throws neighboring backyards into permanent shade.
Forsythia to brighten the early Spring
Bleeding heart in bloom sprinkled with petals from the neighboring apple tree
All these plants will die- either cut down or dying slowly from lack of sunlight, but not to worry because tech bros paying $10,000/month and more in rent can have barbeques on the roof without ever encountering their neighbors or the wildlife that previouslycalled the greenspace home.
MORE FLOODING?
Located in the rainwater flood zone, the greenspace in our block also helps to absorb excess water during rainstorms, preventing nearby floods like the one pictured below; this is a necessary function since the city never built a large-enough sewer system to handle the structures that are already here.
WHERE ARE OUR ELECTED REPRESENTATVIES?
At the same time that the City Council is allowing unfettered construction of luxury housing on 4th Avenue that will replace needed nature on our block, New York City officials say they are desperately trying to create more green space.
Brooklyn Community Board 6, Council Member Hanif, Mayor Mamdani, please make this make sense. The excuse that “this is legal” doesn’t cut it.