BROOKLYN — The developer of a massive mixed-use complex is commissioning a temporary large-scale mural for the Flatbush Avenue site where Boerum Hill and Downtown Brooklyn meet — and is offering $50,000 to the winning artist for fees and installation.
The developer is seeking images that are “visually impactful, memorable and optimistic,” according to the call for submissions. The offer closes June 12, a winner will be announced June 30 and installation will begin July 17.
After the mural’s two-year life, Alloy Development plans to bring 900 apartments, two schools, offices and retail to 80 Flatbush Ave. in two towers. One is expected to rise 38 stories and the other will be 74 stories on the 61,000-square-foot parcel between Flatbush Avenue, Schermerhorn Street, Third Avenue and State Street.
The mural will be painted on at least one of three existing — and occupied — buildings along Flatbush, where it will remain for two years before those buildings are taken down for the first phase of construction. The shorter building is expected to be completed first, by 2022. The taller building is expected to be finished in 2025.
"Alloy has a history of creating community focused programs and as we approach 80 Flatbush's public review, we're thinking of ways to make the most of the current block so that it enhances the neighborhood and so that we can get to know our neighbors," Alloy Development CEO Jared Della Valle said in a statement. “We have high hopes for this mural along Flatbush and are eager to see submissions.
The firm, which appears to be making efforts to be part of the community, already donated space to Recess and the Brooklyn Justice Initiative for an alternative sentencing program aims to empower youth offenders through storytelling and performance art instead of jail time.
The complex will be built under the city’s Mandatory Inclusionary Housing program and would set aside 200 units of affordable housing. It also plans to build two schools, one for the Khalil Gibran International Academy at the site, the other a new elementary school.
Residents still had concerns about the impacts of such a large project.
“I think Alloy has done a good job thinking about the block,” said Howard Kollins, president of the Boerum Hill Association, which held a meeting last month with the developer.
“This developer is trying to re-purpose historic, though not landmarked, buildings, build new schools and affordable housing. It’s all laudable,” Kollins continued. “But if you live right there the quality of life will be radically altered. It’s low-rise brownstones being confronted directly by Downtown Brooklyn.”
Projects like this have ripple affects and can push up commercial rent, he feared, which in turn pushes out people’s beloved mom-and-pop shops.
“Obviously, we’re not going to stop Downtown Brooklyn development. That’s already happened,” Kollins said. “But this particular block is the last residential block before you get to Flatbush.”
The side of the building where the the mural will go along Flatbush won’t allow for entrances or loading zones because of Department of Transportation rules. That will put more burden on surrounding streets and potentially interfere with the school entrances, which also cannot be on Flatbush, Kollins said.
“It loads up State Street and Third Avenue, which is already terrible with traffic,” he said.
His dream would be to have a Third Avenue tunnel to help alleviate congestion.
“But that’s not in the cards,” Kollins said.
Della Valle said his firm was committed to working with locals to figure out how to best handle the issues of parking and deliveries.
“We need to find a solution that addresses quality of life on State Street without compromising safety for students at the two planned schools, users of the new cultural facility, and pedestrians on Flatbush,” he said. “We’ve been meeting regularly with our neighbors and are eager to continue the dialogue. As we’ve told them, our office door is open.”
