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Tenant Punched, Arrests in Sunset Park Rent Strike
A building super at a group of three buildings on 46th St. in Sunset Park allegedly punched tenant activist and strike leader Francisca Ixtilico, sending her to the emergency room at the Lutheran Medical Center via ambulance yesterday afternoon. Ixtilico was attempting to film repairs to the building’s electrical system at the time. Police reportedly arrested the super, Israel Espinoza, as well as neighbor and Occupy Sunset Park organizer Dennis Flores, who said he pulled the building super off Ixtilico. Earlier this month, 51 families at 553, 545, and 557 46th Street started a rent strike to protest ongoing problems with hazardous wiring, vermin, and garbage. The building, which is in foreclosure, has had frequent blackouts and loss of heat during wintertime. The strikers hold a vigil nightly at 6 pm outside 553 46th St. Click on the video link below to see Ixtilico being wheeled off in a gurney, as well as Flores’ arrest, and witness statements.
Update: An article in the Spanish-language newspaper El Diaro says Ixtilico, 65, suffered a stroke as a result of the assault.
Sunset Park Rent Strike 07-19-12 Tenant Attack and Arrests [YouTube]
Activist Arrested Defending Sunset Park Tenant [El Diaro]
Sunset Park Rent Strike This Thursday [Brownstoner]
Photo by bogieharmond
07/20/2012 9:45 AM
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A Look at the St. Ann’s Design for Tobacco Warehouse
Legal problems resolved, St. Ann’s Warehouse is now free to proceed with its new theater space, the renderings for which were posted Wednesday by The Architect’s Newspaper and reblogged by Curbed. As previously reported, the romantic ruins will stay, while a modern and minimal building will rise within. A nearby space under the Brooklyn Bridge will become a public garden, complete with a cafe with outdoor seating.
Curtains Up: St. Ann’s to Transform a Warehouse [TAN]
St. Ann’s Warehouse Moves Forward with H-3 Designed Theater [Curbed]
Tobacco Warehouse to St. Ann’s in Bridge Park Deal [Brownstoner]
Judge Rules Tobacco Warehouse is Public Parkland [Brownstoner]
07/20/2012 9:30 AM
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Girl Punched in the Face at McCarren Pool
Who’s raising these kids? Certainly no one’s supervising them. Maybe it’s time to just ban teenagers altogether…
07/20/2012 9:15 AM
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More Questions Than Answers at Public Hearing About B2
The first public hearing about the first residential building at Atlantic Yards (known as B2) was sparsely attended earlier this week, with not a single board member in attendance. And judging from the post on Atlantic Yards Report yesterday, there are still more unknowns than knowns about the project. As you may recall, Forest City Ratner is on the hook to build 363 apartments in the 32-story tower, 50 percent of them subsidized across five income levels. What we still don’t know is how big the units will be or what they will rent for; nor do we know much about the financing or subsidies. Watchers from City Councilwoman Tish James to the Atlantic Yards Report note the plans ignore the city’s pressing need for units for large low-income families, skewing heavily toward studios and one bedrooms instead. Given that pricing is based on median income in the area (which is rising) some of the units may end up not being that affordable after all. As for size, Atlantic Yards Report speculates based on the New York City Housing Development Corporation’s standards that they’ll be small — 400 square feet for studios, 575 square feet for one bedrooms, and 775 square feet for two bedrooms. So much for closet space. As usual, Atlantic Yards Report has exhaustive coverage, so check it out for more info.
A Confounding Hearing on First Atlantic Yards Tower [AYR]
07/20/2012 9:00 AM
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Weekend Events
Free Concert in Fort Greene Park
The String Orchestra of Brooklyn gave its very first concert on July 21, 2007. Exactly five years later—to the day—the ensemble will perform a free concert in Fort Greene Park that both celebrates that milestone and looks ahead to the future, inaugurating a new educational partnership with the Noel Pointer School of Music. For the second year in a row, this free summer concert will be presented by the Fort Greene Park Conservancy. The festivities begin at 5:30pm with string instrument demonstrations and an instrument petting zoo. The concert will begin shortly after at 6:00pm. Saturday, July 21st, near the Prison Ship’s Martyr Monument.
Oscar Tuazon: People at Brooklyn Bridge Park
Public Art Fund presents Oscar Tuazon’s People, an exhibition featuring three new sculptures inspired by the improvisational creativity of urban neighborhoods. On view in Brooklyn Bridge Park July 19, 2012 – April 26, 2013, the exhibition responds to the park’s physical landscape as well as its role as a site of play and leisure. Like previous works, these hybrid sculptures incorporate both natural materials and industrial building techniques—local trees and cement casting are at the core of each of work— and explore the idea of architecture, labor, and reinvention. Hours: 6:00am – 1:00am daily.
Dekalb Market’s One Year Anniversary
This Saturday Dekalb Market will be the go-to destination as the market celebrates its one-year anniversary with entertainment for all ages, including: live music from local bands (2-5pm), face painting, a bouncy castle, raffle giveaways for $50 Dekalb Market gift certificates with KRRB tote bags, free samples from select food shops (from 12noon-1pm), shopping specials from retail stores, weekend market. Entry is free.
Brooklyn Flea + Smorgasburg
The Flea and Smorgasburg are on as usual this weekend. On Saturday, the Flea is held at 176 Lafayette Ave. (between Clermont + Vanderbilt Avenues) in Fort Greene. On Sunday, the Flea will be at 27 North 6th Street (between Kent Avenue + East River). Saturday at the Williamsburg location is also the home of our all-food market, Smorgasburg. The Flea features over a 150 vendors offering a great mix of vintage, antiques, jewelry, and amazing food. Flea: Saturday & Sunday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Smorg: Saturday, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Free.
07/20/2012 8:45 AM
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Friday Links
M.T.A. Poised to Restore Some Subway and Bus Services [NY Times]
Working or Playing Indoors, New Yorkers Face Unabated Roar [NY Times]
City’s Unemployment Rate Reaches 10 Percent [NY Times]
Coney Island: Renewed, but Recognizable [NY Times]
Half Off Tacos for Officers: Prohibited, but Part of Job [NY Times]
Justice at Last in ’87 Slay [NY Post]
Filipino Nurses Keep Traditional Music Alive in Brooklyn [NY Daily News]
Hit and Run: Two Cyclists Dead in Brooklyn, Queens [NY Daily News]
Brooklyn Group Home Accused of Neglect [NY Daily News]
Slope Bike Bandit Stole Wheels, Left Ransom Notes [Brooklyn Paper]
Free Summer Meals for Kids and Teens [Brooklyn Eagle]
A Glass Ceiling Made of Steel [TRD]
DOT Holds Hearing on Parking Lot for TV Vans on Dean & 6th Ave. [AYR]
NYC Just 15% Shy of Affordable Housing Goal [Crain's]
Brooklyn’s NYU-Poly Aims to Birth 5G Cell Networks [Crain's]
Brooklyn Week: Retracing the Transformation of Williamsburg [NY1]
Businesses Cash in Using Brooklyn Name [NY1]
Photo by nycstreets
07/20/2012 8:30 AM
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Thursday Blogwrap
More Hotel Wythe Coverage Today! [Architect's Newspaper]
Video: Capturing the Storm Over Brooklyn [Gowanus Your Face Off]
Outdoor Family Movie Night at East River Park [Brooklyn Based]
CIA Traffic Update & What It’s Like to Cross It [Ditmas Park Corner]
Cha Cha’s Theme Park has Bumper Cars and Booze [Brooklyn Daily]
Mile End Will Be Making Its Own Montreal-Style Bagels [Grub Street]
Thunderstorm Reveals Problems With Coney Island Boardwalk [Sheepshead Bites]
Hit-and-Run Killing Is Second Cyclist Fatality on Greenpoint Ave Since April [Streetsblog]
Photo by the sticker flicker
07/19/2012 4:30 PM
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Closing Bell: MTA Restoring, Creating Lots of Bus Service!
Great news from the MTA regarding bus service in Brooklyn! Senator Daniel Squadron announced today that the MTA will create a brand new “Brooklyn Tech Triangle” bus route connecting DUMBO, the Navy Yard, and Downtown Brooklyn. Planning efforts on that route are still to come. The MTA will also create a new bus route along the Williamsburg waterfront, which will be designed in consultation with community stakeholders and begin in mid-2013. Other service changes include the restoration of the B39 bus service over the Williamsburg Bridge, weekend service for the B24 and the B69, and extended service into Red Hook on the B57. (This service will mostly cover the route of the B77, much missed by Red Hook residents.) And of course, the extension of the G train was made permanent. All this good news comes out of MTA’s package of almost $30 million of service increases.
Photo by Branille
07/19/2012 4:00 PM
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Building of the Day: 143-145 Vanderbilt Avenue
Brooklyn, one building at a time.
Name: Semi-attached houses
Address: 143-145 Vanderbilt Avenue
Cross Streets: Park and Myrtle Avenues
Neighborhood: Wallabout
Year Built: 1850
Architectural Style: Italianate
Architect: Unknown
Landmarked: Yes, part of Wallabout HD (2011)
The story: Depending on what street you are on, or how you look at the buildings, Wallabout can be many things, and resemble several different kinds of communities. Some buildings, like these old frame houses, remind one of towns Upstate, or in New England, some definitely have that coastal sea-town feel, while others, the brick townhouses and flats buildings, remind one of a company mill town, where factories employed a majority of people. Wallabout was all of this and more; factory and coast, city and small town. (more…)
07/19/2012 3:30 PM
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337 Degraw Street Not Looking So Hot
We don’t throw around the word “ass” lightly when discussing architecture, but that’s what this new-build at 337 Degraw Street looks like to us. Hopefully there’s some cosmetic additions in the pipeline that’ll turn the four-story, four-family project around at the last minute. As of now, though, we’re not optimistic.
Building Rising on Smith and Degraw [Brownstoner] GMAP
07/19/2012 2:40 PM
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Fitness Classes Coming to Clinton Street
Everyday Athlete, a fitness studio already in business on Union Street in Carroll Gardens, is expanding to the north with the opening later this summer of a storefront location at 130 Clinton Street in Brooklyn Heights. Expect more of the same mix of yoga classes and personal training that the popular spot is already serving up. GMAP
07/19/2012 2:00 PM
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House of the Day: 355 Eastern Parkway
This house at 355 Eastern Parkway in Crown Heights came on the market recently asking $869,000. There aren’t a lot of photos in the listing to judge from but it looks like there’s quite a bit of original detail intact. No indication of what kind of shape bathrooms and kitchen are either. It looks like the sale may be a forced one, as a lis pendent, the first step in a foreclosure process, was filed last year.
355 Eastern Parkway [Corcoran] GMAP P*Shark
07/19/2012 1:28 PM
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Co-op of the Day: 862 President Street, #4
The owner of this co-op apartment might have invested in some better photographs before going it on his/her own, but if you can see past the dim photos you’ll find a nice two-bedroom unit on the top floor of this brownstone at 862 President Street in Park Slope. The bathroom and kitchen look fine (though nothing special) but that private roof deck should more than make up for it. Asking price for the 1,000-square-foot pad? $760,000.
862 President Street, #4 [FSBO] GMAP P*Shark
07/19/2012 12:56 PM
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Rental of the Day: 333 4th Street
Spacious, airy, and bright: that’s what we think of this one-bedroom at 333 4th Street in Park Slope. Wouldn’t be surprised if it is snatched up quickly, even with a rent of $2,400 a month. Do you agree with our sunny assessment?
333 4th Street [Garfield Realty] GMAP P*Shark
07/19/2012 12:30 PM
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Dock Street Demolition Begins
And the Dock Street development continues. Last week, plywood fencing appeared along Front Street; this week the demolition of 56 Water Street, the building which housed Jane’s Carousel during its renovation, is underway. The DOB approved demolition permits two days ago. Demolition permits were also approved for the old St. Ann’s Warehouse building at 38 Water Street last month, so that building will probably come down next. And then there’s the garage at 29 Front Street which has been gutted but not yet demo’d; DOB approved those demo permits in June. This will all make way for Two Trees’ new 18-story residential build. Click through for a few more pics…
Dock Street Dumbo: Plans Filed, Construction Fence Up [Brownstoner]
Pre-Demolition Activity at Dock Street Dumbo [Brownstoner] GMAP
Is Dock Street Construction Starting Soon? [Brownstoner] (more…)
07/19/2012 12:00 PM
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The Insider: All the Details in Boerum Hill
WELCOME to The Insider, Brownstoner’s weekly exploration of creative approaches to interior design and renovation, written and produced by journalist/blogger Cara Greenberg. Find it here Thursdays at 11:30.
TALK ABOUT SNAP DECISIONS. The 1870s brick row house Nancy Blechman bought in 1987 was the very first one she looked at. “I fell in love with my neighbor’s magnolia, which has since died,” says Blechman, who retired recently after a career as a senior financial officer in the not-for-profit world. “Under pressure from my family, I did look at some other houses, but I turned right back around and bought this one.”
The house had plenty to recommend it besides the tree next door, including such coveted details as a gilded pier mirror between long four-over-four parlor windows, a black marble mantel in Eastlake style, original pocket doors with etched glass, and hefty plasterwork in the back parlor/dining room.
Blechman raised her now-grown daughter in the lower duplex, and rents out the two upper floors. She did no major renovation until this past year, when she finally updated a dreary galley kitchen at the back of the parlor floor, replacing it with a warm, inviting new one that reflects the antique look of her decorating — a look that harks generally back to the Arts and Crafts era. She also splurged on some new furniture. Blechman spends a lot of time in Amsterdam, and there’s something of a European feel about the place, with its mix of found and inherited pieces, exotic items picked up in her travels, and a collection of paintings by David Fisch, a close friend who died in 1993.
Much more after the jump.
Photos: Cara Greenberg
07/19/2012 11:30 AM
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580 Carroll Street Gives It Another Try
Corcoran just listed seven new units for Park Slope condo building 580 Carroll Street. The Big C took over for Brown Harris Stevens this March. Ten of the 17 units are still available; the seven two-bedrooms listed range from $816,050 to $1,046,250. These prices are a little lower than what Brown Harris Stevens last listed them for. Think second time’s a charm?
New Broker for 580 Carroll Street; 10 Units Left to Sell [Brownstoner]
10 Units Spoken for at 580 Carroll [Brownstoner]
Checking in On 580 Carroll [Brownstoner]
580 Carroll Prices Going Up [Brownstoner] GMAP
07/19/2012 11:00 AM
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Walkabout: The Training School and Home for Girls, pt. 1
While searching through various photo archives for photographs of Brooklyn and its architecture, I came across several photographs of the Brooklyn Training School and Home for Girls. I hadn’t heard of that one; one of the many charitable institutions of the Victorian age. The photographs showed an interesting Mediterranean/California Mission-style complex of several buildings, and the captions said that the School was located on Pacific Street. When I Googled the address, I was not too surprised to find out that the school was once located in Crown Heights. Central Brooklyn was long home to many large charitable institutions; orphanages, schools, old age homes and hospitals. But what kind of training school was this? And who ran it, and what kind of young girls were enrolled? Here’s what I found out: (more…)
07/19/2012 10:30 AM
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NYT: Wythe Hotel Transforming North Williamsburg
The New York Times pens a love song to the Wythe Hotel today with a three-part package detailing how the beautiful people — hipsters, rumpled preppies and Midtown P.R. girls alike — are flocking to Williamsburg and offering tips to those who’ve never set foot in the neighborhood.
The dazzling hotel and night life complex, a staple of the Manhattan circuit, has finally washed up on Brooklyn’s hype-friendly shores, bringing with it the kind of crowds eager to finally explore the Next Big Thing. And what are they finding across the river? Communal tables, artisanal beer, saltwater pools and a cast of characters right out of the HBO series “Girls.”
Other nearby nightlife hotspots mentioned in the article include Kingfolk Studios, Brooklyn Bowl, Brooklyn Brewery, and Berry Park, “a two-level sports bar that plays house music and soccer games,” as well as “a newly sanitized waterfront and another yet boutique hotel — this one with a South-Beach-in-Brooklyn poolside ambience.” It’s a far cry from, say, the Glasslands music venue in its illegal days, or spelling bee and craft nights at Union Pool and Pete’s Candy Store. “We’re really looking at a post-post-post-gentrification neighborhood, aren’t we?” said a waiter at Reynards (which, strangely, the New York Times calls “the Reynard”). What do you make of all the changes going on in this corner of the neighborhood?
All Roads Lead to Wythe Avenue [NYT]
07/19/2012 10:00 AM
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MNS: Double-Digit Rental Increases Over Past Year
Up, up, up. That’s the best way to describe the direction of rental prices for studios, one-bedrooms and two-bedrooms in Brooklyn over the past year. Real estate firm MNS has crunched the numbers and found that on average rental rates were up over 10 percent in June over a year earlier. Two-bedrooms led the pack with an increase of 12.7 percent followed by studios at 10.4 percent and one-bedrooms at 9.7 percent. Dumbo was the most expensive in all three categories. You can click on the image above to make it larger.
07/19/2012 9:30 AM
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davfgreene
May 21, 2013 | 09:56 AM