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March 4, 2009

New Signage at Teen Challenge Center a Real Bummer

436-Clinton-Avenue-Brooklyn-0309.jpg
We were a little surprised to see this out-of-context new sign up on the exterior of 436 Clinton Avenue when we biked past last week because we'd assumed it was in the Clinton Hill Historic District (map). Guess what? It's not. On this side of Clinton Avenue, the district ends up the block closer to Greene Avenue at 412 Clinton Avenue. Landmarked or not, it's a bummer. GMAP




Posted by Brownstoner at 10:30 AM | Comments (28)
Categories: Clinton Hill, Landmark

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Comments

yes, such a bummer to have a teen challenge center :-/

*r*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at March 4, 2009 10:35 AM

That building was pretty ugly to begin with. Did it have a cornice that was removed?

Posted by: Shahn Andersen at March 4, 2009 10:40 AM

seriously tho. what is wrong with an awning? especially for a center or a business?

*r*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at March 4, 2009 10:43 AM

Why didn't they do an architectural "teen challenge?" I bet the teens would have come up with something far better.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at March 4, 2009 10:44 AM

and to translate awnings to the cyberworld, banners with the sites name that area ALWAYS at the top of the page are just the same and equally as "ugly" and "obtrustive" as awnings on the street. it's weird to always have to really fast mouse down to keep the gigantic banner from appearing on my screen at work ahhahaah. i wish websites didnt have top banners.

*r*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at March 4, 2009 10:45 AM

It is pretty ugly, I noticed it as well last week.

That building was actually beautiful many years ago. I've seen an old photgraph of Clinton Avenue from the early 1900s, looking North from near the intersection with Gates, and you can see this place on the left in the distace with nice ironwork, a cornice etc. I think it was modified so much that by the time the area was landmarked, they were able to exclude this property and some others on that side of the street. Too bad.

Posted by: 1842 at March 4, 2009 10:47 AM

what is a teen challenge center exactly?

Posted by: bowl of dicks at March 4, 2009 10:48 AM

I think in the proposed landmark district extension, this building the one to the south of it are still exempted, but the rest of Clinton Avenue down past Gates towards Fulton (West side of the street) is included in the extension.

Posted by: 1842 at March 4, 2009 10:53 AM

Teen Challenge has been at that location since the 50's. It was started by Rev. Don Wilkerson to help troubled teens get their life together.

The one thing I find funny that the Assheads move into a neighborhood and moan and complaint about the elements of that area. That sign means nothing but Brownstoner need something to complain about. I can't wait for the depression!

The What

Someday this war is gonna end...

Posted by: Return of The What at March 4, 2009 10:58 AM

The Teen Challenge Center is fine, and provides a needed service. From what I can tell, they've been good neighbors. But the new awning is very ugly, no doubt about that. Not sure why they needed it...

Posted by: 1842 at March 4, 2009 11:04 AM

I live next door to another teen challenge building down the street. From what I have gathered it is an organization that helps 35 year old men play basketball in the backyard, morning, noon and night.

Posted by: boofer at March 4, 2009 11:09 AM

Well, the funny thing about the awning is that it isn't functional. It's placed over a balcony with no access...like wearing a cap on top of a hat. [scratching head]

Posted by: Brenda from Flatbush at March 4, 2009 11:09 AM

Brenda's right - ugly or not, what's the point? Just put a sign (or better, a banner) up.

Posted by: WBer at March 4, 2009 11:13 AM

it's a weird and ugly sign. Why would they spend money on something so useless, instead of better serving teenagers?

Posted by: Maly at March 4, 2009 11:18 AM

What are they gonna do with the 5 million dollars they get from the sale of the place they just put on the market up the street?

Posted by: boofer at March 4, 2009 11:19 AM

I have to say this particular issue seems a bit silly. The organization provides a MUCH needed service and are very good neighbors (I used to live a few doors down). If they felt the need to put up this sign/awning then big deal. Not everybody has the money or the need to be architecturally sensitive and this seems like a pretty mild "violation" of taste to me. Give em a break!

Posted by: wasder at March 4, 2009 11:21 AM

The building is ugly with or without the sign.

Posted by: 11217 at March 4, 2009 11:23 AM

They are a not-for-profit religious organization, and as such do not pay taxes. They're not supposed to waste their money on ugly crap.

Posted by: Maly at March 4, 2009 11:23 AM

Bad info from the What (I know, probably a first).

Don Wilkerson runs Teen Challenge; his brother, David Wilkerson, founded the organization.

Somewhat famous (in some circles) story chronicled in a best selling book and movie starring Pat Boone entitled "The Cross and the Switchblade".

David Wilkerson is currently the pastor at Times Square Church, which he founded in the late 1980s.

Posted by: BoerumHill at March 4, 2009 11:34 AM

BoerumHill you are right! My bad. I trying to google in my haste git it wrong. I know there was movie about David Wilkerson life. It's a christian movie about gangs and the origin of teen challenge. I hope someone post the name of it.

The What

Someday this war is gonna end..

Posted by: Return of The What at March 4, 2009 11:51 AM

the testimonials on their website sound like robotic brainwashing..my favorite is the one by Chastity who ironically was a pregnant teen prostitute.

Posted by: boofer at March 4, 2009 11:55 AM

Somewhat famous (in some circles) story chronicled in a best selling book and movie starring Pat Boone entitled "The Cross and the Switchblade".

Yep yep...

The What

Someday this war is gonna end...

Posted by: Return of The What at March 4, 2009 11:55 AM

Aren't awnings meant to go over doorways?

Posted by: TownhouseLady at March 4, 2009 1:49 PM

I wouldn't say they are very good neighbors. I live next door next to one of their buildings and if weather permits, early in the morning a dozen of the brainwashed will be placed in a circle and will loudly chant religious brainwash material. Would always wake me up, is highly disturbing, and not too neighborly.
I have intimately witnessed decades of the brainwashed clientele undergo their day. If the alternative is jail than it's a good thing. The brainwashing is pretty scary though, if you saw what goes down.

Yeah, the awning is ugly.

Posted by: Oxygen at March 4, 2009 3:20 PM

"Aren't awnings meant to go over doorways?"

LOL, that was my first response as well. Botching something as routine as an awning doesn't send a message of competence.

Posted by: Oxygen at March 4, 2009 3:27 PM

And yes, the relentless basketball too, early in the morning.

Posted by: Oxygen at March 4, 2009 3:29 PM

What yall know about Nicky Cruz?

Posted by: clintonhillchill at March 4, 2009 4:20 PM

Anyone seen the documentary "Flag Wars"? Good doc about tensions between older and newer residents in a gentrifying area of Columbus, OH that partly hinge on a fight over signage.

Posted by: tonewlots at March 4, 2009 11:43 PM

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