HOTD: Brooklyn Heights Prop Looks Cheap to Us

willowtown and lovely, but what once was a sweet cobblestone street will be one of only 3 new entrances to planned waterfront park. traffic will be a problem. people will be a problem. constuction will be a giant problem.

Posted by: Anonymous at May 23, 2005 11:09 AM

I think Brownstoner's new addition will be in college before there is a park down there.
Projects take forever to happen in the big city.
And does Prospect Pk make living on Prospect Park West cheap because of all the people and traffic?

Posted by: Anonymous at May 23, 2005 11:32 AM

Before we decamped to Park Slope this was the very neighborhood we would love to have been in. The street is great and the neighborhood does feel much friendlier than the rest of the Heights. Only downside is BQE noise.

Posted by: Anonymous at May 23, 2005 12:36 PM

I live here and while there will be no access for cars to the park, there will be people looking for parking. It's already impossible to park. This area has just put in a (late imo) objection to the entrance. And of course, it's very different than Prospect Park in that there are entrances all around that park. You could have 10,000 people walking down your street on a weekend day if plan stays as is. Anyway, from owner's remarks, they expect a bidding war. Whatever.

Posted by: Anonymous at May 23, 2005 12:51 PM

actually, there aren't unlimited entrances to Prospect Park; its Grand Army Plaza, 3rd Street, 9th Street then 15th Street. Which park block seems to have a surfeit of $3M+ houses? Third Street.

Posted by: Anonymous at May 23, 2005 1:02 PM

Someone's (12:51 posting) very cranky, but you'll be relieved to hear that the current plans are for NO entrance to the park on Joralomen Street.

Posted by: Anonymous at May 23, 2005 1:35 PM

The world does not end at PPW -- you can access park all the way around it.

Posted by: Anonymous at May 23, 2005 2:03 PM

Uh no you cant enter prospect park anywhere. There are designated entrance points, unless you hop a wall

Posted by: Anonymous at May 23, 2005 3:37 PM

I live near by, and I am very excited about the park. I don't think a little extra foot traffic will make a big difference, considering what we are getting in return. After all, it's most likely that those who live closest will use the park the most...and whether or not there is an entrance on Joralemon street, most people (not from the nabe) will end up using the main Atlantic Street entrance anyway, and folks living around Joralemon will essentially have a private entrance to the park. As for parking, it's already so bad, we might as well get a park for it.

Posted by: Anonymous at May 23, 2005 3:50 PM

The problem with that street vis a vis waterfront park is that the plan is to build a 30 story bldg at the foot of it which would mean a lot of things, including blocked light

Posted by: Anonymous at May 23, 2005 4:51 PM

The money is there now. That deal is done. So I think it will happen. But I seem to be in the minority.

And the issues now concern those 2 30-storey apartment bldgs mentioned and the Witness bldg in the 300 block of Furman than is being developed (sale is now compelte). No one is complaining about grass, it's the literal thousands of "park" residents that is of concern.

I've been somewhat involved on and off, and I do think it wil happen. Honestly, getting the state money and the city money was the big hurdle.

Posted by: Anonymous at May 23, 2005 10:32 PM

I live on 9th St in Park Slope, only a block from the entrance to Prospect Park. It is not a major nusance. During the warm months we get a lot of foot traffic up and down the street. I rather enjoy sitting on my stoop watching all the park-bound foot traffic. It also makes for excellent stoop sale potential, and I enjoy being only a stones throw from summer concerts, playgrounds, etc.

The downside is that during special events, such as parades, summer concerts, etc. 9th St is often blocked off to vehicle traffic. In addition, keeping the sidewalks clean is a major hassle either from litter or from inconsiderate dog owners who do not scoop.

All-in-all, the positives far outweigh the negatives. I don't own a car, so that probably helps my perspective. But nowhere in Park Slope (or the Heights for that matter) is parking easy.

Posted by: Anonymous at May 24, 2005 10:04 AM

In defense of the BHers who opposed the orignal park plan. That plan looked a lot like Chelsea Piers and not "park". As a 23rd Street resident, I can see how that's not ideal. The plan now seems much more park-like due to the opposition. I think it's worth the wait to get it right. There's a reason BH is BH and the BHA is the oldest neighborhood association. People who call them NIMBYers are not informed, IMO. The BHA supports the current park plan (Willowtown -- where this house is located -- oppose but they are way too late to the table). I work in city govt. I think plan is close to happening -- what is considered the Dumbo waterfront park is a part of this plan, of course, and that was buily shortly after approval.

Posted by: Anonymous at May 24, 2005 10:58 AM