Prior to the Fortis presentation, Laurie Maurer, an architect and CHA member, read a set of general guidelines for the LICH development that she called “Basic Principles” Despite the best efforts of the community, and much political grandstanding, the sale was made to a real estate developer – the Fortis Property Group.Įverybody in the room knew that the big issue was going to be height. The hope was to have the sale made to another hospital group in order to maintain the 155 year-old institution. The Cobble Hill Association was one of the community groups that was part of the lawsuit trying to prevent New York State from closing LICH. In reality, either plan changes Cobble Hill forever. The rendering they presented was an eye boggling jaw dropper – a huge building casting a giant shadow over Cobble Hill. Everyone in the room understood that this was meant as a threat – dropping a huge tower in the midst of a historic brownstone neighborhood. The as-of-right plan that they rolled out places a 44 floor tower on Pacific Street just west of Henry. This plan affords them less square footage for residential units. If they are unable to get that cooperation, the threat was to build an as-of-right plan. What they called a Master Plan, which involves zoning changes and the cooperation of the community and the city council, calls for three large towers west of Hicks Street where the parking garage now stands. They presented two plans – both of which include skyscrapers. The crowd gasped at this rendering, which shows Pacific Street extended from Henry to Hicks.Ī crew of well dressed professionals representing the Fortis Group, presented what seemed like a take it or leave it proposal for residential development of the former Long Island Hospital (LICH) campus at the annual meeting of the Cobble Hill Association (CHA). If Cobble Hill thought losing their hospital was bad – they ain’t seen nothin’ yet.

Casting off knitting loom