The Municipal Art Society hath spoken.

More precisely, the organization's MASterwork Awards Committee hath spoken, selecting the best examples of urban architecture and planning in New York City from 2007. The awards will be presented at the IAC Building tomorrow evening.

Renzo Piano’s New York Times Building and Frank Gehry’s IAC Building won for best new buildings of 2007.  read more »

The Municipal Art Society has launched a Web site and campaign critical of the proposed phasing for Brooklyn’s Atlantic Yards project, claiming the creation of parking lots in place of existing buildings will blight the area.

Because of the long time frame that will likely be needed to build the project—developer Forest City Ratner puts the slated completion date at 2018, though critics say that’s too optimistic—the footprint could be filled with parking lots (though Forest City denies that charge, claiming it will be public open space with trees).  read more »

At a panel discussion last night on development in the city, multiple community organizers and the Reverend Calvin Butts, pastor of Harlem’s Abyssinian Baptist Church, criticized the process of forming community benefits agreements (CBAs) in order to bolster public and governmental support for large development projects.

The tool seems to be a technique increasingly favored by developers of controversial projects, who negotiate with members of the community, agreeing to include in the CBAs provisions for things such as affordable housing and local jobs.  read more »

Kent L. Barwick, the president of The Municipal Art Society, will step down in early 2008, according to a press release distributed earlier today.

Mr. Barkwick is serving his second term as president of MAS and was the entity's first full-time executive director. After stepping down, Mr. Barwick will become president emeritus and will help MAS on various projects and initiatives.  read more »

"I don't think this project is substantially designed in its later phases," he said, pointing out that it could be a decade before construction begins on much of the housing and retail space even if the ESDC rubber stamps the project this winter. "Battery Park City and Riverside South got redesigned several times before they got built," observes Barwick.

"I don't think this project is substantially designed in its later phases," he said, pointing out that it could be a decade before construction begins on much of the housing and retail space even if the ESDC rubber stamps the project this winter. "Battery Park City and Riverside South got redesigned several times before they got built," observes Barwick.

The society is suing to require the Corps to do a full review of the effects of the Ikea on all historic properties in the area, including the dock, which dates to the 1860s. "The law requires a proper historic review, and the public deserves it," said Municipal Art Society president Kent Barwick in a statement.

The nonprofit's full release after the jump.  read more »

6:30 p.m. JANE JACOBS VS. ROBERT MOSES: How Stands the Debate Today? Another reminder about Jane Jacobs, this one featuring all the top names in urban planning, starting with Amanda Burden, Michael Sorkin, Nicolai Ouroussoff, Brad Lander and others . This one though it fully subscribed, so you can show up and wait in line or just wait until next week, when the Wagner School will do its own tribute. CUNY Graduate Center, 365 Fifth Avenue at 34th Street.

Refreshing

Yesterday morning, Manhattan Borough Prez Scott Stringer stood in front of a petite crowd of protestors -- eight folks from the Municipal Art Society, plus many more cameramen and reporters.

"If you see it on a scaffold," he said, "it's not legal."

We can. The Department of Buildings just passed new regulations against outdoor advertising--which involve registration and $25,000 fines against "visual clutter." But that new law wasn't mentioned by Mr. Stringer.

See also: NY1 (and Curbed/MAS)