The Times Checks In On 4th Avenue
As The Times astutely pointed out this weekend, 4th Avenue still has a ways to go before it becomes Brooklyn’s answer to Manhattan’s Park Avenue. Still progress has been made in recent years, sparked by the 2003 rezoning which cleared the way for 12-story residential towers along a stretch previously defined by its auto body…
As The Times astutely pointed out this weekend, 4th Avenue still has a ways to go before it becomes Brooklyn’s answer to Manhattan’s Park Avenue. Still progress has been made in recent years, sparked by the 2003 rezoning which cleared the way for 12-story residential towers along a stretch previously defined by its auto body shops, gas stations and fast food restaurants. In the new developments’ wake have come a slew of restaurants and bars that wouldn’t look out of place a block to the east on Park Slope’s booming 5th Avenue. The drinking and dining options have contributed to a slew of successful sales cycles at the new, not always beautiful, buildings. In the end, though, a lack of exterior beauty hasn’t gotten in the way. As Awaye broker Joseph DiFiore put it, “[The new developments are] hard to get started, it’s hard to sell to the first people. But all of a sudden, once people see other people living there, it’s pop-pop-pop, like popcorn. Things should only continue to improve along the superwide stretch. New medians, plantings, and protective bollards along with (at some point) a revamped drainage system are all in the cards, according to the article. It may not be Park Avenue but, as the Times says, “Enough new residents have arrived to make Fourth Avenue feel like a changed place.”
New Cityscape, In Search of Green Space [NY Times]
Photo by Aonghais MacInnes
haha wrong thread! just figured it out.
f’in monday!!
enjoy the day folks!
FSRQ – please look up these three district 14 schools (in WB/Greenpoint): 132, 31 + 34. top marks/5 stars all around – check either the DOE and insideschools.org. isn’t 31 one of the top top elementary schools in the city? (academically speaking, realize there are other things that people care about). Also, the dual language spanish program at 84, and their prek, is quite good. 84’s prek is considered top by any standard anywhere actually. 84 and 31 are magnet schools, so you don’t have to be zoned, and if you are in east williamsburg/bushwick/bedstuy in a horrible zone, they are good options. many bedstuy families at 84 for sure because it’s pretty close and then parents can just hop on the L to go to work.
Also, Williamsburg Northside (private schools) is doing great and is expanding and has room too. again, know several people from bedstuy traveling to that school, especially for pre-school.
The irony about Northwest brooklyn vs. brownstone brooklyn – (PS, Cobble H, CG + BH) is that there’s room in the district 14 schools. every kid can get into a prek for instance. Whereas in these brownstone neighborhoods, you’re probably shut out for prek, or the school is on the brink of not being able to accept zoned kids.
i find the NYTimes articles like this to usually be semi-dumb. if the participants come off poorly, I blame the the writer. people interviewed all seem pretty successful – wasn’t one guy a partner in a law firm? they may have been asked an hour’s worth of questions and got comfortable and lighthearted, not knowing how their statements will be used.
Overall though, good for the neighborhood, and for telling potential buyers that there are families here.
fsrq – yes, Houston Street is a more apt comparison, and I wouldn’t be surprised if 4th Avenue could actually attain something like that vibe, particularly with Whole Foods allegedly springing up next door. It’s not going to be Park Avenue in any sense except width, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be improved.
4th Ave is crappy, will always be crappy…..not in a bad way, but just not beautiful because it is a major traffic artery…and that will never change.
It is just the way it is. the only really nice building on 4th is 500 4th Ave, that is the best thing around.
I welcomed the re-zoning of 4th Ave and still think it’s a good thing. But how disappointing most of the new development has been! The whole thing seems to completely lack a unifying plan. Where’s the innovative building design? Why no exciting retail when the buildings/lots are so big (how cool would it be to have Crate and Barrel here)? And what happened to the street beautification plans(and I don’t mean bollards)?
I think you better get used to it – I have the feeling it will be a construction site for a LOOONG time.
FSRG;
I don’t park my car there. I haven’t heard anything. I tried to read the posted Work Permit on the wooden fence, but it is inaccessible right now with the snow.
benson – from what I understand – the property is still lin litigation, so the Owners realistically cant develop it yet, so they are hoping to repair part of the building and will demolish the parts that are too costly to save. What have you heard – do you park there?
FSRG;
By any chance, do you know what’s going on with the Fatato garage between 1st and 2nd St? Is it going to be torn down?