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'Billionaire's Row' Supertowers Up for Public Debate at Community Meeting

 The developer of One57 secured city construction permits to work 24 hours a day, according to DOB documents.
The developer of One57 secured city construction permits to work 24 hours a day, according to DOB documents.
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DNAinfo/Heather Holland

MIDTOWN — Park-lovers are casting a shadow on the high-rise-building frenzy along West 57th Street, now known as Billionaire’s Row.

After a year of study, Community Board 5’s Sunshine Taskforce will hold a meeting next week for the public to air grievances about the development of super-tall condo buildings on the stretch.

“The impact of these buildings could be really detrimental,” said task force chair and area resident Layla Law-Gisiko. “We believe that right now it’s not being properly assessed and not being properly mitigated."

The task force is concerned about shadows cast on Central Park by the supertowers. They want local residents to voice their opinion on the buildings at an open meeting on April 28 at the New York Public Library’s main branch on Fifth Avenue.

While developers do not need public approval for their plans, designs could be changed to accommodate community input, Law-Gisiko said.

“It is not necessarily a fait accompli,” she said.

In addition to shadows falling on the park, the task force is concerned about air quality, protection of historic buildings and construction issues, such as plexiglass and cranes falling.

At least 12 buildings are in the pipeline in the area, Law-Gisiko said, and there are possibilities of building at six other sites.

“Do we really need 12 luxury megatowers that have a very low density in occupancy but a very high density of built environment? Is that the best way to develop 57th Street?” Law-Gisiko asked, adding that they support construction jobs being directed towards union workers.

The public meeting will be held Tuesday, April 28 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the South Court Auditorium at the New York Public Library, 5th Avenue at 42nd Street.