Photo credit: SHoP Architects and James Corner Field Operations
Two Trees' plan to transform the old Domino Sugar Refinery into a massive affordable housing complex on the Williamsburg waterfront has been met with a mixed bag of reactions, but the management company released some news today that most people will find cool (or at least we think it is). The new plan reimagines Site E of the proposed Domino complex, which is currently just a vacant 55,000-square-foot lot on Kent Avenue between South 3rd and South 4th Streets, into a vibrant community space until construction begins next year. The interim site will feature an urban farm, a bilingual reading room, green space, family-friendly bike courses and affordable food and goods from local vendors for the community to enjoy.
“Two Trees is committed to Williamsburg for the long haul, and we want to be able to give back to the community as we prepare to build at the Domino Sugar site,” said Jed Walentas, Principal at Two Trees Management. “The operators we’ve selected will be welcoming residents of all ages to this new public open space for biking, reading, relaxing, yoga classes, and more.”
The new interim space will feature a variety of seasonal programming including yoga classes, hands-on urban farming classes and kids activities. The western portion of Site E will offer a family-oriented bike course run by Ride Brooklyn with areas for basic riders as well as a pump track for advanced riders. The eastern area of the site will host a bi-lingual outdoor reading room, a community farm operated by North Brooklyn Farms, and a public green space for exercise classes and other programming. This part of Site E will be designed, built and operated by a team led by Williamsburg resident Bobby Redd, who was also responsible for revamping a vacant 19th century church in the area into the vibrant community space.
Two Trees hopes to open the interim site to the public by the end of May 2013.
+ Two Trees Management
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