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May 2, 2008
PLG 8-Story Apartment Could Get A Sibling
Construction is moving along on the planned eight-story, 20 unit apartment building at 185 Ocean Avenue in Prospect-Lefferts Gardens that last year sparked an ill-fated landmarking movement. And the $2.1 million listing for neighboring 189 Ocean Avenue as a "development site" has been removed from the Sotheby's Realty website. We called the broker, who declined to disclose information about the sale. We imagine those involved want to avoid the controversy that arose over the early 1900s brick row house demolished next door, however tame it was compared to our friends across the park. The new apartment would be the first new construction on Ocean Avenue alongside Prospect Park since the 1930s besides a church built in 1951. We asked neighbors how they felt about it, and the general response was indifferent disapproval, "as long as it raises the value of my property."
Lefferts Gardens Gets a Few New Arrivals [Brooklyn Eagle]
PLG House Razed, 8-Story Building Planned [Brownstoner]
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Comments
Probably inevitable that 189 the neighboring property to 185 be developed as well. There hasn't been any construction on the 185 site yet as far as I have seen, so the question is will the two plots be combined and a large building put up or will this be two thin towers?
Posted by: LM at May 2, 2008 11:32 AM
there should be a law...
Posted by: guest at May 2, 2008 11:55 AM
I don't know about construction at 185, but the last time I passed the site (several days ago)there were a lot of new steel beams on the ground.
It remains to be seen whether a buyer will be found to "develop" #189. Meanwhile, the effort at landmarking continues.
Posted by: Bob Marvin at May 2, 2008 3:28 PM
Sarah,
I'd love to know what neighbors you talked to about this development. You certainly didn't talk to the majority of homeowners on this strip who have bitterly opposed to this historically and architecturally noncontextual crap since day one!
Posted by: guest at May 2, 2008 3:33 PM
What makes you think that a property removed from the website is evidence of a sale? Did the Sothebys agent confirm a sale but refuse to disclose the details or did they just refuse to talk about the removed listing?
Posted by: guest at May 2, 2008 4:08 PM
Why do people who already own a home get to be the ones who say whether more homes are built or not? The ones who don't own yet but hope to do so, don't they get to have some say too? They pay NYC income taxes. They vote. They are members of the community. They can't all afford to buy a historic brownstone either, if that's the only kind of housing allowed to exist in Brooklyn.
Posted by: guest at May 2, 2008 4:15 PM
Love how the building is being called "historically and architecturally noncontextual crap" before anybody has even seen the rendering of the design for the new building. Just the dimensions of it.
Nobody sees a problem with that? Especially when it IS located right next to another 8-story building?
Nuts.
Posted by: guest at May 2, 2008 4:23 PM
An initial plan - that was eventually rejected by the DOB - was seen by some folks. It had the building on stilts to allow for parking below the main structure and some sort of cantilever hanging over the driveway. Not sure what the current plan is.
Posted by: guest at May 2, 2008 4:27 PM
Just a note, the photograph of the construction site was taken yesterday. To 3:33, yesterday I spoke to two owners of property in that strip of row houses who both said they weren't thrilled about it, but expressed indifference. By that I meant that they basically said it wasn't really their place to try to stop it. A better characterization would have been "c'est la vie." But as you might know, I actually live in Prosect Lefferts Gardens on that seem street, footsteps from the planned apartment building, so I've talked to dozens and dozens of people about that project (and the glassy tower) and overheard many more conversations. Perhaps indifferent wasn't exactly the right word, but the majority of the people I talk to about these projects say that while they don't fit their taste (height, architecture) or they even disagree that they should be built, it's not a main issue of concern for them, they take a c'est la vie attitude. That's not everyone, just an overall assessment.
Posted by: sarah ryley at May 2, 2008 5:49 PM
That is correct, 4:27.
And the apartment building that is adjacent to the plot, like every other apartment building on the block, is only 6 stories.
And, "people who already own homes" are not the ones who get to say whether or not more homes should be built. But we do have firm opinions (just like the apartment renters and condo owners who live on the block) about the nature and quality of the new development that is being erected here at this very moment. No one is arguing that more homes should not be built. Instead, the issue is whether a 2-family brick house that was in fine condition, and had been standing as part of a very small row of turn-of-the century homes, should have been demolished in order to be replaced by an 8 story Fedders finger.
Now that is nuts.
Posted by: guest at May 2, 2008 5:52 PM
Most buildings on Ocean Avenue are large, six story apartment buildings with a mix of owners and renters, including the one next door. But the brick house that was torn down was part of a set of 13 adjacent, low-rise row houses (some pictured).
Posted by: sarah ryley at May 2, 2008 5:54 PM
I heard that that this new building will include a security checkpoint at the main entrance, with metal detectors and the whole bit. This is an interesting and, I think, positive innovation.
Posted by: guest at May 3, 2008 6:55 AM
PLG is without a doubt the crappiest neighborhood in Brooklyn, perhaps the entire city of NY.
Posted by: guest at May 3, 2008 3:28 PM
I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels that way. I f*ckin' hate PLG and always have.
Posted by: guest at May 3, 2008 4:43 PM
Ha. 3:28 and 4:43. As if we don't know it's the same person. Brainiac. You're really selling how wonderful all the rest of Brooklyn is with your crude language, anger and bitterness. Really makes me want to move next door to you in whatever "better" neighborhood you live in.
Posted by: guest at May 4, 2008 12:15 AM
Ummm, I guarantee you that almost every post in this thread was posted by a single person. At least 95% of them, INCLUDING the ones that have names associated with them.
Posted by: guest at May 4, 2008 6:40 AM
There has been some discrimination in that neighborhood according to this blog. http://realflatbush.blogspot.com/
Posted by: guest at May 4, 2008 3:46 PM
3:46,
The RE ads he's complaining about are for apartments further south in Flatbush than PLG.
Posted by: Bob Marvin at May 4, 2008 9:00 PM
Sarah, do you have any pics?
Posted by: guest at May 5, 2008 7:26 AM
The ad is not for a place in PLG and I think it's a stretch to accuse a broker of racism for highlighting a nearby Connecticut Muffin and the Vox Pop cafe/bookstore.
Posted by: guest at May 5, 2008 11:07 AM
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