304 Rodney: Williamsburg Church Teams Up with Developer to Build Sky Bridge and Roof Deck Atop Sanctuary

By Michelle Mazzarella | From Future New York Wednesday, January 16, 2019

The rising residential project at 304 Rodney (329 Broadway) and St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church and the

UPDATED 1/16/19: The Landmarks Preservation Commission has approved a plan to connect a new building at 304 Rodney Street to the landmarked St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church (“St. Paul’s”) via sky bridge. While some commissioners expressed trepidation about the sky bridge, several members of the community, including two from the church, spoke in support of the project and the deal to restore St. Paul's with the sale of air rights (h/t Brownstoner).

The latest partnership between churches and developers can be found in Williamsburg at 306 Rodney Street: A new mixed-use building is on the rise at 304 Rodney Street, directly next door to the landmarked St. Paul's, and will use the church’s air rights and easements to build a taller building. Renderings in the presentation show a slightly revised church structure connected by a sky bridge to the adjacent in-construction tower.

According to a presentation for the Landmarks Preservation Commission, the sale of the air rights will finance a full restoration for the church dating back to the late nineteenth century. The church's exterior envelope will be repaired and restored. Additional improvements include new windows, restored stained glass windows, and bringing the building up to code. Future maintenance has also been secured by way of the partnership.

Enlarge Image

Enlarge Image

Enlarge Image

Enlarge Image

Enlarge Image

Enlarge Image

Enlarge Image

However, the most significant alteration will be to the church’s roof: Plans have been filed for a new public roof terrace and a sky bridge connecting it to the new residential building. The roof’s parapets will be restored and recreated, as will its gables and turrets, and the original roof line will be evoked through trusses. The rear facade fire stairs and a gate at the side entrance will be replaced to bring the building into compliance with ADA rules.

Owing to St. Paul’s status as an individual landmark, all changes from the façade restoration to the sky bridge must first be approved by the Landmarks Preservation Commission. The hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 15. For more information on the residential tower underway at 304 Rodney/329 Broadway, see this story.