ODA Selected for Brooklyn Bridge Park Development

The two buildings consist of 339 residential units (117 of them affordable), a 75-seat pre-K facility, a community facility and "ground floor uses and streetscape upgrades to enhance the park experience and create a welcoming gateway to the park, according to a statement from the BBP.

The development, like others along the formerly industrial land, is targeted at the fact the BBP was established "with a mandate that the project site itself would generate revenue to maintain the park," per the statement. Other projects include a hotel and residences adjacent to Pier 1, now under construction, and the renovation of a former warehouse near Pier 6, completed in 2008 by RAL.

The announcement comes over one year after the BBP released an RFP (request for proposals) for the Pier 6 site, and one month after a lawsuit challenging the development was settled. According to the BBP statement, "Following the release of the Pier 6 Request for Proposals in May 2014, BBP received an unprecedented 14 responses," including designs by Asymptote Architecture, BIG – Bjarke Ingels Group, Davis Brody Bond, and Selldorf Architects.

BBP further states, "The RAL/Oliver’s plan was determined to be the best proposal ... based on the strength of its financial offer, the inclusion of generous public amenities, and a design by ODA New York that demonstrates excellence and creativity in architecture and recognition of the surrounding context that inspires a welcoming entrance to the Park." Oddly and inexplicably, the proposal was not one of the 14 RFP responses. Nevertheless, with the selection of ODA's design, the project moves on to the BBP Board of Directors for approval.