Community groups, elected officials, the local media and local parents know that the neighborhoods of DUMBO, Vinegar Hill and Brooklyn Heights need a new middle school, affordable housing an sustainable development. The Two Trees project will make these priorities a reality. Here's the buzz:

A Contextual Design that Respects the Brooklyn Bridge:

“The project fits extremely well into the DUMBO neighborhood because of its limited overall height, which is kept to 17 stories at its tallest, while other parts of the building are much lower. The building’s plan organization creates appropriate street frontage and completes the city blocks in a manner sympathetic to adjacent buildings. The project therefore fits very well into the context of an urban neighborhood that is a collection of converted industrial loft buildings of similar heights and configurations. The project massing is also very respectful of the Brooklyn Bridge, keeping well away from the Bridge at its highest points and created a building form that does not block views to and from the bridge.”

Thomas Hanrahan, Dean, Pratt Institute School of Architecture...Download letter now »

“The proposal is very much in scale with the taller and larger existing buildings nearby…Compared with everything else, it looks like it belongs right here.”

Denis Holt, Senior Editor, Brooklyn Daily Eagle...Read the whole column »

A Better Plan Featuring a Much-Needed Middle School:

“In the Heights and DUMBO – the stroller shocked nabe that didn’t exist 10 years ago – there is not one lousy middle school. Not One!... It’s time to halt the march to Westchester. We need this school.”

Andrea Peyser, Columnist, New York Post...Download column now »

“But now, Walentas has returned with a far better project. By acquiring additional land, the 18-story wing of the building is set further back from the fabled bridge. Also, he has made a commitment to environmentally friendly construction and has set aside 20 percent of the rental units at below-market rates. And he's including that middle school.”

Editorial, The Brooklyn Paper, January 12, 2008...Download artical now »

“We've now reached the point where the students that sort of gambled a little bit on going to PS 8 are aging out of that school and would like to stay in a district middle school, but there isn't one in the area.”

Robert Perris, district manager of the local community board...Download artical now »

Regarding Green Building:

“I am pleased that your plans for Two Trees’ last site in DUMBO – a new building which will be LEED certified at a minimum, provide a public school to which local children can walk, as well as affordable housing units for local working families – continues to advance smart growth and energy efficiency.”

Marcia Bystryn, President, New York League of Conservation Voters...Download letter now »

“The New York League of Conservation Voters honors David and Jed Walentas for their commitment to smart growth and sustainable real estate development.”

The New York League of Conservation Voters, Crain's New York Business, December 17-23, 2007...Download artical now »

Regarding Affordable Housing in Brooklyn:

“I believe this project will be beneficial to Dumbo, and to Brooklyn as a whole.”

Councilmemeber Letitia James, Letter of Support for Dock Street Project...Download letter now »