A proposal for WNYC Transmitter Park, still in its early stages, would see two restaurateurs open a dining spot and seasonal programming in the marina. (Photo: NYC Parks)
BY JACK DELANEY | jdelaney@queensledger.com
A swanky restaurant and expanded marina may be coming to one of Greenpoint’s most high-traffic parks — but not if residents have any say in the matter.
Last week, the local group Friends of Transmitter Park revealed that the waterfront green space — which was opened in 2012 as WNYC Transmitter Park, after a previous life as a radio transmission station — was being considered for an “activation” that would offer seasonal boat tours, marine-themed programming, and a new dining destination.
A preliminary document suggests that the Parks Department is poised to give a 25-year lease to restaurant veterans Josh Cohen and David Schmitt. Cohen is a longtime resident active with local organizations like North Brooklyn Angels, per reporting by the blog Greenpointers; Schmitt operates two locations elsewhere in the city, DJ’s at Bayside and Dakota’s on the Cove, that both sit next to marinas.
“While our community widely supports the addition of a public restroom and a small, contextual place to grab food or coffee, we are working to ensure the project doesn’t overwhelm the park,” the Friends said in a statement. “We want to reinforce a strong need to protect the historic Art Deco building structure, scale down the restaurant, and rethink the large commercial marina footprint to protect the park’s quiet, passive character and natural estuary and research station, along with expansive views, that allows our small green park to reach out into the blue water.
Greenpointers echoed those sentiments, pointing to the extensive options for shopping and meals along the nearby strips of West St and Greenpoint Ave.
“This peaceful park is a special refuge for so many residents and visitors,” said Danielle Harris on Instagram. “We don’t want a marina, we don’t want water sports, we don’t even want a restaurant here (there are several to choose from just a few feet from the entrance!). We just wanted a functional public bathroom! This is one of the ONLY places in the neighborhood where you can enjoy something at no cost.”
Local rep Emily Gallagher said that she “felt much better” about the activation after she and Councilmember Lincoln Restler met with parks officials, noting that their plans differed from what was in the circulated documents.
The Parks Department will be hosting a virtual community meeting on the proposed changes to Transmitter Park on Thursday, August 6 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. A full hearing will be taking place on August 10 at 2:30 p.m. at 255 Greenwich Street.
