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August 1, 2008

Shell of Its Former Self, 925 Fulton Street For Sale

Poor 925 Fulton Street. This beautiful four-story building between Clinton and Waverly has been neglected for years, but is now getting another shot at life. After being in the same hands for more than three decades, the four-unit property traded back in 2005 for $200,000 and then again in 2007 for $953,000. According to the sign on the door, it's for sale again. We tried calling the number (917-755-5461) but were unable to reach a human being. Does anyone know what the asking price is? How great would it be if someone would fix this place up. GMAP P*Shark

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Comments

The most amazing thing about this building is that the same ESPO tag and Stevie Wonder quote have been there since at least 2003.

Posted by: zinka at August 1, 2008 10:44 AM

"ter being in the same hands for more than three decades, the four-unit property traded back in 2005 for $200,000 and then again in 2007 for $953,000."

This is called a walk away flip...

BTW In the last 5 years Fulton St still looks like a hellhole.... The have been and will be failed businesses on Fulton St. Why you ask? Due to the greed and delusion of people decent business will never get of the ground. High rent and apathy among the newly transplanted Asshats will not spend money and help their new neighborhood.

You know something Brownstoner Fulton St could benefit from this Blog. Why you don't promote the business on Fulton St? There is plenty of upside for this stretch....

The What

Someday this war is gonna end..

Posted by: what at August 1, 2008 10:51 AM

what- you'll love the Fulton St. post today then. :-)

Posted by: bxgrl at August 1, 2008 10:55 AM

Finally something we can all agree with the What on!!! There should be some very serious effort to improving this stretch of Fulton. Everyone from every walk of life would benefit from this and there is no reason why it couldn't/shouldn't happen. The train line is there, there are lots of people in this area who need to buy stuff or socialize and have to go to Dekalb to get it. Since Brownstoner lives close by I am sure he would agree. The Outpost is amazing but its like a lone ranger out there right now.

Posted by: wasder at August 1, 2008 11:12 AM

The What---"You know something Brownstoner Fulton St could benefit from this Blog. Why you don't promote the business on Fulton St? There is plenty of upside for this stretch...."

You got up on the right side of the bed this morning. Welcome to the world of the not too bitter or twisted.

Posted by: wasder at August 1, 2008 11:13 AM

wasder.. One of these days you are going to say "What, you was right".

"Welcome to the world of the not too bitter or twisted."

I'm not a "Bitter or Twisted". I see our economic future going down the drain.

The What

Someday this war is gonna end...

Posted by: what at August 1, 2008 11:19 AM

wasder...and then he slips right back into the same old crap!!!!

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at August 1, 2008 11:21 AM

How is prophesizing doom and gloom not being bitter and twisted. If you see our economic future going down the drain (not an entirely impossible prospect obviously, as we all grapple with in our own way), suggest something to do about it (as you did above--I agree the Brownstoner should promote the Fulton corridor) rather than just rant and curse at everyone. That is bitter and twisted.

Posted by: wasder at August 1, 2008 11:28 AM

There have been many threads regarding Fulton Street from Vanderbilt to Classon and the need to develop it. As to the What's contention that apathetic "newly transplanted A**hats" don't support new business - I disagree. Good quality new places have survived over the past several years (Sister's Hardware, Outpost, Kush, Olivino, Brown Betty, Cure Beauty Bar). Bodegas folded, due in large part to lease disputes at their other restaurant on DeKalb Avenue (the former Liquors) which lead to financial difficulties that caused both places to close.

I hope Au Tour du Monde in the former Bodegas place continues to survive (please support them! Their food is great and they have a full bar.) The street construction is not helping. Hopefully as that finishes and the BID gets into full swing with rubbish/trash removal and maybe street trees, it will become a more attractive stretch for pedestrians and new business.

I love these iron facade buildings. Restored (some of them are reasonably well taken care of) they would be a great visual landmark on this block of Fulton Street.

Posted by: 1842 at August 1, 2008 11:33 AM

Oh, and Greene Planet is nice as well.

We'll see what goes into the bottom of the new "Fulton on Clinton" condos across from Met Foods.

Posted by: 1842 at August 1, 2008 11:36 AM

Asking price is $1.5 million according to craigslist ad:

$1500000 FULTON ST/PRIME BLOCK/MIX-USE/4 STORY/VACANT/AIR RIGHTS/PRICE REDUCED (FULTON ST - CLNT HILL / PROS HTS / FT GN) (map)

Folks this is the sort craziness, greed, and pure insanity that the What rants about and I happen to agree with him SOMETIMES.
IS this POS worth such massive mark up in price from 2005 to now?
This may be part of the reason Fulton remains such a dump.

Posted by: pierre de taille at August 1, 2008 11:41 AM

If people stopped dropping litter and crap allo ver the place it wouldn't look half so bad. That'd be an easy first step.

Posted by: dittoburg at August 1, 2008 11:45 AM

I called that number a couple of months ago just to find out the asking price. The gentleman on the phone wanted to know "who I was with," I guess thinking that only some sort of corporate developer would call. When I said I was just looking for a home with my wife in the neigborhood he said "one point five" and pretty much hung up.

That place needs so much work, he'd be lucky to get what he paid for it. Which doesn't make me optimistic about it changing hands again any time soon. How can he afford to just sit on a place he paid 953K for?

That restaurant a few doors down "Dajeh" opens this week...

Posted by: Lothar of the Clinton Hill People at August 1, 2008 11:49 AM

" "newly transplanted A**hats" don't support new business - I disagree. Good quality new places have survived over the past several years (Sister's Hardware, Outpost, Kush, Olivino, Brown Betty, Cure Beauty Bar). Bodegas folded, due in large part to lease disputes at their other restaurant on DeKalb Avenue (the former Liquors) which lead to financial difficulties that caused both places to close."

Most people go out and eat. They go to Park Slope and other places. I know this for a fact. BTW I know most of these owners and they tell me that they Asshats don't support them.

The Au Tour du Monde will be closed down by the end of the year. Do anyone know how muck money it take to keep a restaurant open? Ask any Restaurant owner just because it''s looks crowed that doesn't mean they are making money.

The stretch of Fulton St between Grand and Franklin will NEVER become anything!!!! It's a dead area!

"Hopefully as that finishes and the BID gets into full swing with rubbish/trash removal and maybe street trees, it will become a more attractive stretch for pedestrians and new business."

New York City will have a budget deficit of 2 Billion next year. Where are they going to find the money for a BID?????!!!! Wake up Asshats, you are using faulty information to make decisions!

The What

Someday this war is gonna end....

Posted by: what at August 1, 2008 11:50 AM

I think that price is unrealistic considering the physical condition of the building.

I agree with dittobug. People who walk up and down this street and generally hang out on this street litter constantly. I see it every day, including from proprietors of some businesses. I don't get it. Then again, I don't think the littering people "get it" either with respect to much of what they are doing with their lives, both with respect to themselves, their families, and the larger community, but that is a whole other conversation...

Posted by: 1842 at August 1, 2008 11:51 AM

What, the BID is approved. The funding comes from the the property owners with street frontage in the BID, not from the City, that is how it works, in fact, that is why it works.

As to who regularly frequents the newer restaurants and businesses that have survived the past several years on Fulton Street, it is the locals, predominantly the newer residents.

Posted by: 1842 at August 1, 2008 11:53 AM

Link to some info about the BID. Correction, it is not yet finalized, there are still a few more steps in the final approval, but it is effectively a done deal. My point on the funding remains. It is funded by property owners in the BID, which is why it works. Ust look at Myrtle in the past 5 years since the institution of their BID (and there is not any subway access down that way!).

http://www.brooklynpaper.com/stories/31/23/31_23_biding_on_fulton_street.html

Posted by: 1842 at August 1, 2008 12:03 PM

http://www.nyc.gov/html/sbs/html/neighborhood/bid.shtml

New York City is home to the nation’s largest, most comprehensive network of Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) in the country. The City’s 59 BIDs annually contribute over $80 million worth of services to more than 70,000 businesses in neighborhoods across the five boroughs.

A Business Improvement District is a formal organization made up of property owners and commercial tenants who are dedicated to promoting business development and improving an area’s quality of life. BIDs deliver supplemental services such as sanitation and maintenance, public safety and visitor services, marketing and promotional programs, capital improvements, and beautification for the area - all funded by a special assessment paid by property owners within the district. Since its inception over twenty years ago, the City’s BID program has contributed over $830 million in supplemental services to invigorate our neighborhoods.

That get funding from the city!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The What

Someday this war is gonna end...

Posted by: what at August 1, 2008 12:08 PM

so let me get this straight What...you advocate supporting and fixing up Fulton street, but you are against BIDs?

Posted by: wasder at August 1, 2008 12:13 PM

Restaurant of the Day: Blue Ribbon Sushi

Name: Blue Ribbon Sushi
Address: 278 5th Avenue
Phone: (718) 840-0408
Nabe: Park Slope
Cuisine: Sushi, Japanese
Median Entree: $26.25

THIS SUPPORTS MY FUCKING POINT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Why would on one hand diss a property on Fulton St, then praise a restaurant in Park Slope! Hey Brownnstoner do you ever read what people post here??!! Please get a editor and go away!

The What

Someday this war is gonna end...

"so let me get this straight What...you advocate supporting and fixing up Fulton street, but you are against BIDs?"

At what point did I say I was against BID?????

Posted by: what at August 1, 2008 12:27 PM

What, the funding is from the property owners. It is city sponsored and they are involved, but the money is provided by the property owners in the form of a special assesment they pay based on the amount of street frontage they have in the BID zone. That is why they work, they are funded by those owning property in the zone. That assesment is dedicated to the BID and cannot be cut or allocated to other sources by the City. I would think you would be happy with this. Local property owners electing to support this self funded improvement district is a great thing. Why argue against that?

Posted by: 1842 at August 1, 2008 12:27 PM

Your glee in the idea that the BID might not have enough city funding seemed to me to be an indicator that you weren't really supportive of the notion. In general you seem to have glee in other people's misfortunes. it is your most mystifying trait.

And what the f***k does the price of sushi on 5th Ave have to do with a vacant property on Fulton Street? Brownstoner was not dissing the property as much as the seeming a-hole who is trying to flip it for so much more than he bought it for without fixing it.

Posted by: wasder at August 1, 2008 12:36 PM

"And what the f***k does the price of sushi on 5th Ave have to do with a vacant property on Fulton Street? Brownstoner was not dissing the property as much as the seeming a-hole who is trying to flip it for so much more than he bought it for without fixing it."

I wrote: "You know something Brownstoner Fulton St could benefit from this Blog. Why you don't promote the business on Fulton St? There is plenty of upside for this stretch....

Ok wader you want to see things the Asshat way. That's OK homebboy but, leave me out of it. Just let me prove my points and just skip over my posts, OK good...

The What

Someday this war is gonna end...

Posted by: what at August 1, 2008 12:43 PM

"Ok wader you want to see things the Asshat way. That's OK homebboy but, leave me out of it. Just let me prove my points and just skip over my posts, OK good..."

No i don't want to see anything the Asshat way. I am trying to understand you, though you likely do not deserve my patience or my time. you started this thread by making a fairly reasonable statement about supporting business on Fulton. Then when somebody suggested that the BID might help you laughed and chortled that there wouldn't be any city money for a BID (which seemed to me to be a nasty way of saying you are not in support of the BID). Then you say you are for the BID. Then somehow Blue Ribbon sushi has something to do with this.

I will not skip over your posts if a) they say something reasonable (rarely) or b) they say something so nasty and heinous as to require a response (most of the time). And this despite the fact that I was in the "don't feed the troll" camp a few weeks ago.

What do others think about this. Respond or ignore?

Posted by: wasder at August 1, 2008 12:59 PM

Ignore his staccato crap. He's a spokesman just for himself, and he is bitter which is why he only delights in failure.

Posted by: dittoburg at August 1, 2008 1:04 PM

wasder- the purpose of participating in a blog is interaction- for good or bad. Take it from one who knows :-).

Posting implies you expect and want a reaction or feedback, and that's what it should be. If you feel there is a point you want to discuss or refute, you should. That's what the blog comment section is for.

It isn't the same thing as feeding the troll. For all the back and forth re What, he isn't a troll. A troll will simply toss out unrelated insults and spew garbage or try to get a rise by posting outrageous comments a la propjoe.

Posted by: bxgrl at August 1, 2008 1:27 PM

I'm all for BIDs, but the Fulton Street BID (which I think was initially started by PACC 4-5 years ago) hasn't gotten much traction. Part of the problem is that it covers a wide area with dramatically different needs--Fulton from Rockwell Place all the way to Classon. Fulton Street in Ft. Greene is comparatively thriving, but Clinton Hill still needs a lot of help.

Will Ft. Greene landlords/merchants be willing to pony up for such a large BID, particularly when their retail corridor is doing comparatively well? Maybe not.

Conversely, there are likely a lot of absentee landlords on the less desirable sections of Fulton (a big problem with any BID)who won't care enough to participate.

I wish the Fulton Street BID the best, but they have a challenge on their hands.

Posted by: tinarina at August 1, 2008 1:43 PM

bxgirl--thanks for response. I think you have a fairly narrow definition of troll if the what doesn't fit, but you are right--people come here to engage so engage I will. I have made several attempts to actually discuss with the What the merits of what he is saying without he/she/they actually rising to occasion. To me that is the definition of troll--one who tries to get a rise out of people with inflammatory commentary and then won't stick around to discuss it. The What never actually engages in conversation. He/she/they yell, cut and paste an article and then disappear into the weeds.

Posted by: wasder at August 1, 2008 1:50 PM

Don't take it too hard What. Your insightful comments are the yin to everyone else's yang. if it wasn't for you, this comment board would get very boring. Three cheers for What!

Posted by: exlege at August 1, 2008 1:50 PM

did I just post that?

Posted by: exlege at August 1, 2008 1:52 PM

No matter if you love or hate The What, they aren't going to be around to rant much longer with that much anger, angst or whatever you want to call it. All that stress puts too much strain on the old ticker.

So lighten up and start taking it easy. This way you can be around to set us Asshats straight for years to come!

Posted by: TownhouseLady at August 1, 2008 2:13 PM

Tinarina,

The BID has not "gotten any traction yet" because is has not received final approval yet. I wish them luck too. The have their initial budget based on the existing owners and what they will have to pay in the form of the assessment. It is the same BID that PACC began working on a few years ago. It takes a while to get these in place and get buy in from the local property owners. That's all in place now. CB2 approved it unanimously; next there's another city agency, the City council then the mayor. There is no expectation that there will be any problems at any of those levels.

Once in place, assessment payments will begin, then there will be a fund for the budget. I'd have to dig it up, but the budget for the first year seemed skewed toward trash and litter removal, security (maybe a la Fulton/Nassau street in lower Manhattan, holiday lights decorations, and graffiti removal I think).

Let's hope it helps in the improvements slowly making there way on this street!

Posted by: 1842 at August 1, 2008 2:27 PM

TownhouseLady, your zingers and positive attitude are greatly appreciated. Especially on a Friday afternoon in August.

Posted by: Biff Champion at August 1, 2008 2:28 PM

http://www.yournabe.com/articles/2008/06/16/fort_greene_-_clinton_hill_courier/news/fort_greene_-_clinton_hill_courier_newsnewbidflow06092008.txt

another link regarding the details of the Fulton Street BID

Posted by: 1842 at August 1, 2008 2:31 PM

wasder- I know I do have. I just don't think he's inherently malicious and I do believe he posts information he feels makes his point. He certainly states things in his own inimitable way. That said, What is hard to engage, and touchy (although to be honest I've been called that myself. And I certainly can be, since I'm being embarrassingly honest at the moment).

Maybe it's because What for the most part sticks to the topic- I mean, you really have to say he is passionately involved in the subject whereas for me a troll is simply someone who is malicious and determined to be nasty and hurtful no matter the topic or the discussion.

In any event, your posts always struck me as well thought out and reasonable. We could use more of that on b'stoner!

Posted by: bxgrl at August 1, 2008 2:33 PM

"I think you have a fairly narrow definition of troll if the what doesn't fit, but you are right--people come here to engage so engage I will. I have made several attempts to actually discuss with the What the merits of what he is saying without he/she/they actually rising to occasion."

Nope Asshat. You want to jump on the hate The What bandwagon. Please some one look over my old posts, plenty of things has come true. The collapse of our banking system, falling real estate prices (I don't care what crap is posted here) and inflation.

Re read my post here today. Brownstoner LIVES in this area! If someone has made a substantial commitment in this neighborhood, he would try to uplift the business around here! No gave a thought on comments and say "thats funny he does not ever comment on Asshat Hill! He NEVER post any information on events or restaurants in this area but, let someone get shot or a drug deal goes down and it's front page news!

I'm fucking sick of your hypocrisy!!!!!!!! Fuck every last one of you!

The What (90 days!!!!)

Someday this war is gonna end...

Posted by: what at August 1, 2008 2:34 PM

exlege- of course not. It was your evil twin.

Posted by: bxgrl at August 1, 2008 2:35 PM

TownhouseLady, it seems fair to say The What decided to ignore your advice. :-)

Posted by: Biff Champion at August 1, 2008 2:38 PM

what, that is absolute hogwash. For a while there, Brownstoner posted so much on Clinton Hill regarding real estate and restaurants, that people complained he didn't post about anything else. Type in the name of any of the newer restaurants or businesses on Fulton Street and there is a post on them, often years ago before you even started posting here (do a search for Kush, Brown Betty, Olivino, Greene Planet, Bodegas, Au Tour Du Monde). I don't understand your agenda sometimes.

Also, I hope you now understand how a BID is funded - especially since the quote you provided at 12.08pm explicitly explains that the property owners, not the city, fund the BID. Here's another link that explains it again, if you still don't get it.

http://www.prattarea.org/bid.htm

Off topic, but is English your first language. If not, then I'd be willing to cut you some slack.

Posted by: 1842 at August 1, 2008 2:49 PM

I am not on the hate the What bandwagon by any means. I am trying to engage with you on this subject because I live right by there and hope that this stretch of Fulton becomes a viable commercial strip. And yes, some of the things you have been harping about (banking crisis, home prices falling) have come to pass but it really didn't take a genius to figure out we were in for some hard times. The problem I have is with the glee you seem to take in these things. I don't get what your endgame is with this. If it is to be supportive of the lower income residents of Brownstone Brooklyn (pure conjecture on my part as you have never stated your goals with any clarity) then the predicted economic downturn will hurt them more than the Asshats you claim to hate. And believe me I have read far more of what you have written than most reasonable people would. So if you have a point, if there is some other purpose or goal to your hateful rants than just shitting on everybody please educate me. I would love to think you were something more than an antisocial bomb-thrower but you don't give me many reasons to think otherwise.

Bxgirl--thanks.

Posted by: wasder at August 1, 2008 3:24 PM

That's o.k. Biff, I figured as much.

Posted by: TownhouseLady at August 1, 2008 3:47 PM

OY. What has good points. Take it or leave it, but the hating is just wrong. I, for one, see many of the points he makes. There is justifiable anger and this is a good venue to speak it in. The denial is pretty thick on this blog sometimes.

What, I hear you over here on my hill.

Posted by: cobblehiller at August 1, 2008 4:48 PM

HEY...The last line of my comment was deleted...I said...What: please don't ever stop using asshat! G'damn, it makes me laugh everytime!

Posted by: cobblehiller at August 1, 2008 4:50 PM

Cobblehiller, you must be joking. The what is a doom-and-gloom merchant who NEVER offers any constructive suggestions, excels in hating, and I mean hating in the visceral and mean real sense of the word, and makes so many predictions that like the broken clock, he's right twice per day.

Posted by: dittoburg at August 1, 2008 5:01 PM

C-hiller. I trust you were not referring to me in your post. I don't think I am in denial about the difficult state of the real estate market right now and I sure as hell think I give more respect and concern to the What than he/she/they give back to me or anyone else on here.

That being said, I also enjoy the term Asshat.

Posted by: wasder at August 1, 2008 5:07 PM

Uhm, hmmm, Ok, dittoburg. You keep right on hating. Would you be willing to consider that you (or others) might be taking this a little personally? Uhm, What isn't like my best buddy or anything, but I actually read what he writes and after 40+ years of watching what goes on in these neighborhoods, I have to say I SEE some of what What says. And you have to admit...the asshat thing is pretty damn funny!

Posted by: cobblehiller at August 1, 2008 5:07 PM

Agreed dittoburg. I usually ignore him, but some of his statements today were patently incorrect. I agree with him that Fulton Street has not seen significant improvement from Vanderbilt to Classon (though he referred to stretch from Grand to Franklin and said they'd never improve) - but disagree with his contentions that: 1. A BID is funded by the city as opposed to the property owners in the BID and therefore the Fulton BID will not go forward - that's just incorrect; 2. New residents don't support new businesses on Fulton Street (the ones that have survived have almost exclusively been supported by newer residents), again that's incorrect, and 3. Brownstoner never highlights businesses on Fulton or ever speaks of the need to develop Fulton Street or other parts of Clinton Hill (a quick search of the archives will show that not to be the case, and in fact Bstoner was criticized for allegedly promoting Clinton Hill to the exclusion of other areas just a year or two ago!!).

Posted by: 1842 at August 1, 2008 5:08 PM

Hmm, no wasder I wasn't calling you out in specific, just a general comment on the conversation.

And yes, asshat's HILARIOUS!

Posted by: cobblehiller at August 1, 2008 5:11 PM

Right on Cobble. Thanks. Sorry if I was defensive. There is no doubt that he/she/it/they hit on something with their rantings and there is a grain of truth to some of it or we wouldn't get so worked up. But there are times when the What seems to argue directly against what he/she/they seem to be in support of--the cackling over the possible failure of the Fulton BID comes to mind. I agree with 1842 that there are easily refutable things that What said today that need to be pointed out.

This site would be a less interesting place without the person or persons referred to as the What but I do wish they could temper their rants with some dialogue in response. Mix it up, listen and then argue.

Posted by: wasder at August 1, 2008 5:27 PM

True enough wasder, that's really my point. No offense taken. That What incites so much harsh criticism is uhm, kind of revealing to me.

Ok, so then engaging in some more meaningful way might be good for all. I agree with that. Pointing out mistakes or misconceptions is fine - maybe it's in the presentation? Direct attacks aren't really sporting! It gets a little out of hand at times here.

Some good comments on the other Fulton St. post today. Who gets the money, why, and what for. To my mind we could all take a better look at that in general.

Agreed, it would be a totally less interesting place, for me anyway. Who knows maybe that's What's normal speaking voice! Wouldn't it be funny to find out that What is really this professorial type with glasses and a pipe?!

Posted by: cobblehiller at August 1, 2008 5:55 PM

I don't agree with everything he/she says, but "The What" is easily the funniest person posting here. It's pretty revealing that some people are threatened by his/her posts.

Posted by: East New York at August 1, 2008 6:01 PM

You mean threatened like by any other end-of-the world ranter on the street? And thanks for your armchair-psychiatric analysis of those who cant abide the what. Yes, I'm sure its so revealing (ie fulfills your own stereotyping of the "asshat" contingent).

Posted by: dittoburg at August 1, 2008 6:26 PM

East New York, I honestly don't feel threatened whatsoever by The What and I have no problem accepting that many find him informative and/or funny. To each his/her own, no problem and there's no question he provokes debate and interest. I just think when he flies off the handle with attacks against homosexuals and other entire groups as part of his argument, it really shows an ignorance that I personally feel takes away from his points. I think he would get much more respect if he didn't resort to such offensive epithets. Just my opinion.

Posted by: Biff Champion at August 1, 2008 7:02 PM

There are lots of people posting on here who have kids and are working their asses off to make a home for them (myself included) or just really care about their home and neighborhood. If we don't think somebody threatening us, belittling us or generally crapping on our aspirations and goals is funny, so be it. Its funny if you have no stake in it. But anyway, I will try to give the What a good listen and engage as best I can. Which is better than you can say for him/her/them.

Posted by: wasder at August 1, 2008 8:38 PM

Ah, interesting statements there wasder...you sound like a thoughful guy.

Don't let anyone get under your skin. Make a nice life for yourself and keep your aspirations, but understand that the changes that have come in Brooklyn over 30 - 40 years - as someone else said today - aren't always good for everyone. Not talking about you in particular, but there are also a lot of people on this blog with, uhm, really snobby entitled attitudes! There I said it, and I'll go duck under my desk!

I've been here a good long time, and what's happened with these neighborhoods is both exciting and disappointing in many ways. Good small businesses pushed out, young hipsters being pretentious (oh yes they are!), and where is the affordable housing, where are the jobs, why eminent domain, why jacked up rents and subprime loans with rising rates hidden. Follow the money. It's an old story really. What, in his inimitable fashion, is one of the few voices who speak to that here.

Yeah, true, maybe What could lighten up or take his meds more often or drink less coffee, whatever, but I think the ranting is actually communicating a bit more than polite discourse would. Maybe What could experiment with another name and talk in his "inside voice"! LOL!

Posted by: cobblehiller at August 1, 2008 9:40 PM

Hey CH--If What would say that this is his point it would be a lot easier, both to understand where he is coming from and to engage with him. But you saying this doesn't mean this is actually what he thinks or cares about either.

But anyway, I have also been in Brooklyn a long time and have lived in several neighborhoods that have gentrified as I have lived in them (Williamsburg and Clinton Hill most specifically) so I think I am also fairly well versed in the ups and downs of the process. Of the two neighborhoods I have actually found that Clinton Hill is the one that has gentrified with the most original population base and cultural flavor in tact. This is not to say that there haven't been people displaced by the new residents, but it seems like more of the original residents owned their homes in Clinton Hill and stuck it out whereas in Williamsburg its a bit like the neighborhood was drained of all its long time residents and repopulated by totally new ones overnight.

I really love living in Clinton Hill and love the fact that my daughter plays with such a diverse group of children in Underwood Park and that there are so many different kinds of culinary and cultural experiences to be had. Its a great great neighborhood. And it bums me out to be lumped in with some sort of capitalist marauding class as exists in the imagination of the What. I give a shit about where I live and I live peaceably with my neighbors. And I am investing in this neighborhood for the long haul (by buying a house in this incredibly stressful market). Anybody, on any side of the issues of gentrification and urban renewal who turns the other side into a characterization or a bogey man is doing nothing good but instead propagating a culture of mistrust and resentment.

What, your thoughts?

Posted by: wasder at August 1, 2008 10:07 PM

I would like to ask all of you a question? What would happen if I was right? What would be your thinking one day all of this crap came crashing around your heads? I can see it now "You was right What" and I would be a celebrity.

I'm a Broker! I watched people get assraped! I watch people get houses with no money down and lose them.. I watch the Investors rob people of their homes. I watch kkids inherent houses only to refi and suck out every nickel of equity.. I saw Mortgage brokers use fake w-2, pay stub and other crap to quality people for loans.

I have watched the vallue of my money go down the drain. I have watched Wall Street use taxpayer dollars to bail themselves out! I watched gas go to FUCKING 4.00 a gallon!!! I watched the economic activity grinding to a halt this summer. You can tell your kids to play in the street, there is NO FUCKING TRAFFIC!!!!!!!!!!

You know why you can't see that! You are blinded by greed and delusion.. Lokk at this story!!

Foreclosures linked to subprime fraud
A New York state investigation of subprime mortgage practices reveals fraud proliferated in the state, which had the eighth-highest number of foreclosures in 2007.

http://tinyurl.com/6zje4t

In one example from 2006, Suzette Francis, a woman with two young children, no assets, working as a $10-an-hour security guard and living in a homeless shelter, obtained a mortgage for $470,000 that, as the report stated, "exhibited...every characteristic and feature associated with dangerous subprime loans."

Francis had down payment and no proven income or assets. Her adjustable rate mortgage started at 10.8% and was capped at 16.85%. At that rate, even her initial monthly payment came to more than $4,400. She would have to work 400 hours a month just to pay her loan.

HOW IN THE FUCK DID THIS BITCH GET A FUCKING MORTGAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Remember in the good ole days you have to show you was worthy to get a mortgage!

But I'm the bad guy??!! No Asshats I'm the messenger! I'm not playing nice nice anymore and BTW you got 90 days... Tick.. Tick.. Tick....

The What (Bomb Thrower)

Someday these Asshats will wake up......

Posted by: what at August 1, 2008 11:02 PM

For you weekend reading pleasure..

Confessions of an Economic Hit Man
John Perkins

Please read this book! It will bring some insight about my rants..

The What

Someday this war is gonna end...

Posted by: what at August 1, 2008 11:06 PM

"I would like to ask all of you a question? What would happen if I was right? What would be your thinking one day all of this crap came crashing around your heads?"

---Well if this did all come crashing down(not sure exactly what comes crashing down but assume its the way of life of the readers of this website) it would certainly be a tragedy, for me, for you and for just about everybody that lives in Brooklyn.

As I said earlier the people who would be most hurt by a total collapse in the real estate market and the economy would be those already at the most risk, especially those on the lower end of the economic spectrum. I for one am not trying to argue that it couldn't all come crashing down but I am certainly not rooting for it the way you seem to be. I think that for the most part, no matter how bad the economy gets in the short-term, that the communities forged in this wave of housing renovation will survive and emerge healthy because of the efforts of all of the people who live there and are engaged in their communities. Only a very small percentage of the people of any race in Brooklyn see the world and their neighborhoods in the us vs them mode that you see things.

If you are right and we all lose our shirts and worse, it will be a pyrrhic victory for you.

Posted by: wasder at August 1, 2008 11:20 PM

Also, you have been saying 90 days for a while now. When do they start ticking down? And what happens? Do let us know so we are prepared. Most appreciated.

Posted by: wasder at August 1, 2008 11:21 PM

"just think when he flies off the handle with attacks against homosexuals and other entire groups as part of his argument,"

Awww Biff... Did I hurt your Inner Homo? Awwww There there now little Asshat.... I'll tell Dave to give you reach arounds and to kiss you on the forehead when he's finished..

The What

Someday this war is gonna end...

I'm sorry but you don't let opportunities like this go by...

Posted by: what at August 2, 2008 12:25 AM

Wow What. That is just world class humor.

Now how about responding to what I wrote---

1) What happens to the lower income people in Brownstone Brooklyn if the "asshats" meet the horrible fate you wish for them?

2) Why can't you warn of economic turmoil without reducing me and everyone else on this board to ridiculous stereotypes? Most of us don't work for banks you know and if everything goes under we will be victims just like everyone else.

3) What is your dire prediction for 90 days from now

Be a good WHAT and engage constructively....

Posted by: wasder at August 2, 2008 8:59 AM

I lived in Clinton Hill from 1989 until 2007, and don't kid yourself, the population changed--A LOT. Everything else changed--for sure there are better stores and services--but there are many, many, MANY fewer working class families who used to be able to rent a place to raise their kids and send them to reasonably decent school. Now the schools are much better, but that doesn't matter to the families who can't afford $2.5k/month for a two-bedroom.

Posted by: rf at August 2, 2008 2:18 PM

I would like Fulton to be prettier… and more stuff would be great… but I find this location really convenient and I count 17 places that I use all the time that opened in the past 7 years so I’m confused about what you call a lack of development.

There’s also a MET food and a Post office that have been there forever.

But here’s what’s opened since I moved here (7 years ago)

An organic Green Market
another dry cleaners
24 hour laundry on Cambridge
A pharmacy
Jessies (my favorite nail salon)
Outpost Café
Neighborhood deli
The dollar Store (that I use even though it’s not pretty)
A flower shop (that’s lousy and that I don’t use even though it is sort of pretty)
Sisters Hardware store
Wine Store
Wine Bar
Soule (Soul)
Kush, (French African)
Some new bar place next to Kush
Brownbetty (café/ brunch)
Au Tour du Monde
Vin y Olio (Italian) (maybe 8 years ago?)

Posted by: g123 at August 2, 2008 3:08 PM

Yeah, I agree that there is a base of new businesses that weren't there before. It seems like, given the subway line and the buses (when they get back to running on Fulton) this stretch is a good bet to transform into a more vibrant commercial district. One can only hope!

Posted by: wasder at August 2, 2008 3:40 PM

I think that wasder is right that getting the buses back on Fulton and making it a 2-way street again will help a lot.

For what it's worth, Vin y Olio is on Gates and Cambridge, a block from Fulton.

Posted by: rf at August 2, 2008 4:52 PM

2500 a month for a 2 bedroom? May the economic forces of damnation be leashed upon the earth!

The What

Someday this war is gonna end...

Posted by: what at August 2, 2008 6:24 PM

"Awww Biff... Did I hurt your Inner Homo? Awwww There there now little Asshat.... I'll tell Dave to give you reach arounds and to kiss you on the forehead when he's finished.."

"I'm sorry but you don't let opportunities like this go by..."

Haha! True, you never let pass an opportunity to prove your ignorance, weaken your arguments and lose respect. That's why I'm so happy to know I am always able to bring out the inner homophobe in you. When someone loses sight of your ignorance, I just set you up like I just did to remind them. You make it so easy, What.

Posted by: Biff Champion at August 4, 2008 8:30 AM

Plus he never answered any of the questions I put to him...

Posted by: wasder at August 4, 2008 9:07 AM

And wasder, I think it's safe to say the count will still be stuck at 90 days today...

Posted by: Biff Champion at August 4, 2008 9:14 AM

well yeah, seeing as how we've been at 90 for a few weeks now.

Posted by: wasder at August 4, 2008 10:08 AM

Ayayay you crazy people! To get back to the facts - he's still asking $1,5., and it's a very expensive renovation. The rear of the building is gone -major structural work is required - it's basically a shell - and the repair of the metal front is expensive too. I'd love to take it on, but there's no way I could make the purchase + renovation costs work. Too bad - it's nice.

Posted by: PAL at August 8, 2008 11:28 AM

« DoBro Redevelopment Not So Great for Everyone Garden of the Day: Low Maintenance in The Slope »

August 1, 2008

Shell of Its Former Self, 925 Fulton Street For Sale

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