The plans for the newly-opened Brooklyn Bridge Park included a 150-room hotel and two 30-story to 40-story condos buildings, which planners say were necessary to make the project pencil out. As construction nears, some locals are upset at the plans.
With tensions mounting over the condos, a study was undertaken to determine whether the park could survive without the added revenue of the condos and hotel. Without the new development, the project would require $16 million in additional funding, which the report concluded wasn't possible:
"The report came out on February 22 and the alternatives included establishing a Park Improvement District. Other options included fee-based recreation and event facilities, concessions, commercial real estate, sponsorships, increased parking revenues, and grants. The report said the alternative options could bring in about $2.5 million to $7 million, far short of the $16 million needed."
FULL STORY: Bad Implants in Brooklyn

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Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Albany
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research