You Told Us is a regular feature where we highlight comments from users in the communities DNAinfo covers.
LOWER EAST SIDE — A plan to build an 800-foot high rise on the East River waterfront has gotten some readers down.
Extell Development Company, which is developing a luxury tower at 250 South St., recently filed an amendment to raise the building’s height to 68 stories from 56 stories, making it nearly three times taller than the neighboring Manhattan Bridge and triple the height of the tallest buildings in the neighborhood.
Some readers blasted the plan out of concern that it would change the character of the neighborhood.
“Who's responsible for allowing this monstrosity to be built?! Who can we tar & feather?! Honestly, they are destroying the city for native NYers.”
— Neighborhood Square user DownontheLowerEastSide
"No ... no ... no ... I love tall buildings but not where they don't belong and they definitely don't belong there. I love visiting the lower east side and that's because of its existing character. Whatever is built there should fit the genius (in the old Roman sense), the spirit and tradition, of the place."
— Neighborhood Square user ehadzipetros
“The whole thing is a travesty. It's the same old story, out with the old and in with the new. Soon the LES will only be for the rich like the rest of the city. Disgusting!”
— Neighborhood Square user suesue
Others used sarcasm to get their point across:
“Don't worry, it's just a matter of time before they build some more tall uninspired buildings around it to balance it out. You won't even notice it!”
— Neighborhood Square user phlavery
“It should be 168 stories and unaffordable like everything else in NYC with constant pounding construction and folk being unable to walk. Set your sights and your buildings high, why don't you?”
— Facebook user on DNAinfo's Lower East Side Page
A few readers were less concerned with aesthetics and called for better planning:
"NYC has to grow and change, but it needs to be a more controlled change so that infrastructure changes can keep pace with the expansion. I'm talking about everything from water, sewer, and electricity to seats at the local Starbucks! The current pattern of invading a neighborhood with an isolated, out-of-scale project is not good for the existing residents, the future residents, or the City as a whole."
— Facebook user on DNAinfo's Lower East Side Page
Residents can ask questions and share their concerns with Extell officials during a 6:30 p.m. July 29 meeting at the Two Bridges Tenants Association, located at 82 Rutgers Slip.
