Yesterday, the Municipal Art Society joined author & historian David McCullough and several other organizations and individuals (including the DUMBO Neighborhood Association, the Brooklyn Heights Association, the Historic Districts Council, the Roebling Chapter of the Society for Industrial Archeology, Council Member David Yassky, Council Member Bill DeBlasio‘s office, and Council Member Tony Avella) in asking the City Council to reject a plan for an 18-story building on Dock Street in DUMBO, directly adjacent to the Brooklyn Bridge. The development would encroach upon the Bridge, affecting iconic view both of and from the Bridge.

The Brooklyn Bridge, as David McCullough has so eloquently articulated, is one of the most beloved structures in New York City, if not in America and the world. It is one of only 11 National Historic Landmarks in Brooklyn — as such it has been afforded the highest level of recognition in our country.

It is incumbent upon New Yorkers to ensure that this precious resource is protected from encroaching development. Along with the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge is one of the most visited tourist destinations in New York City. It is our responsibility to ensure that New Yorkers and visitors from around the world can experience the bridge and its views uninhibited.

There are two very important public views that must be protected on both sides of the bridge, the iconic views of the Bridge from our neighborhood streets and the views of Manhattan, Brooklyn, the East River, and the other East River Bridges from the public walkway of the Brooklyn Bridge.

MAS calls upon the City Council to join their fellow Council Member David Yassky in stopping this encroachment on the Brooklyn Bridge. We urge the City Council and the Mayor to reject this development.

In 2007 the National Trust for Historic Preservation named the industrial heritage of the Brooklyn waterfront to its annual list of the nation’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places, based on a nomination made by the Municipal Art Society. The DUMBO neighborhood was featured in that nomination. MAS created a website, www.saveindustrialbrooklyn.org which highlights the history of more than 100 important buildings and structures on the Brooklyn waterfront. Read the full press release from yesterday’s press conference here.