South Street Seaport plan took hits

The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission
began its examination of General Growth Properties’ South Street
Seaport
redevelopment proposal at a public hearing yesterday. The proposal
calls for razing the Pier 17 shopping mall and replacing it with new
shops, boutique
hotels, public plazas and a 42-story condo and hotel tower. Members of
the
Municipal Arts Society said they think the plan should be “firmly
rejected” because “reconfigured retail spaces and hotels do not seem to
be
the solution” for the tourist trap. They were also concerned that
moving the historic Tin Building
would set a troublesome precedent for the preservation movement. After an hour
and a half, the commission decided to adjourn the hearing following a public testimony without voting.