Grassroots group proposes alternate Seaport plan sans tower

Preservationist group Save Our Seaport is getting proactive with its attempts to discourage the Howard Hughes Corp. from its current plans to Redevelop The South Street Seaport, and has unveiled its own alternative plan for redevelopment.

Under the group’s vision, the SHoP Architects-designed 42-story tower that has been the subject of much controversy would be nixed, and the historic New Market and Tin buildings would be preserved as community facilities. The proposal calls for the New Market building to become a maritime activities center with community space, and the Tin building to become either a middle school, community recreation center or catering facility on the upper floors and a public market on the lower floor. Howard Hughes has planned to raze and move the New Market and Tin buildings.

Also in the vein of historic appreciation, SOS is proposing to set aside places where visiting historic ships can dock. In its proposal, the group implores Comptroller Scott Stringer to annul Howard Hughes’ 2011 Letter of Intent.

Last month, Howard Hughes paid $31 million for additional air rights at its Seaport project. [Curbed]