Letters A shortsighted view of Yonkers waterfront By GEORGE M. RAYMOND
As a graduate of Columbia
University’s School of Architecture, recipient of
the Medal of the American Institute of Architects,
former professor of planning, 16-year chairman of
the Pratt Institute Department of City and Regional
Planning, retiree after a 58-year career as city
and regional planning consultant, former president
of the New York metro chapter of the American Planning
Associates, and a “Fellow” of the American Institute
of Certified Planners, please permit me to take
part in the tug of war regarding what is the appropriate
height of buildings along the Yonkers Hudson River
waterfront.
The waterfront is on the verge of vigorous
redevelopment. It appears the developers who have
been granted a preferred status in the prospective
program are seeking permission to build several
25-story towers as part of the redevelopment project.
Scenic Hudson has taken a position that buildings
should not exceed eight stories because a waterfront
land-use plan, which was developed by the city long
before it became realistic to look forward to what
is possible today, recommended an eight-story limit.
I submit that there is nothing duller and
dispiriting than eight -story boxy apartment houses
such as those that line the Grand Concourse in the
Bronx. On the other hand, in reviewing plans for
two-story townhouses on the waterfront side of the
Irvington railroad station, the village’s planners
and trustees are anxious to protect the view of
the Manhattan skyline from a village park. From
30 miles away, that skyline appears a fraction of
an inch above the horizon! Also, aboard the ocean
liners of long ago nearing New York City, the travelers
all rushed to one side of the ship to view the New
York City skyline. No one would have rushed to see
trees and, maybe, a cow or two.
Scenic Hudson also claims that taller buildings
block the view of the river from the city. Eight-story
parallelepipeds are no more transparent than the
lower parts of taller buildings. In fact, the spaces
between taller buildings that are needed to help
assure high rents from future residents may offer
more and broader glimpses.
Clearly, if it were faced with the possibility
of a 25-story wall solidly blocking all views of
the city from the river and vice-versa, Yonkers
would be justified in saying “no.” On the other
hand, a few such towers accenting its downtown area
would put the city on the map of aesthetic Hudson
riverfront attractions. I believe Scenic Hudson’s
aesthetic sense should not preclude the possibility
that travelers on the reviving Hudson River water
transport system may get something more attractive
to look at than the alternative advocated by it.
