May 10, 2009 - May 16, 2009
Closing Bell: F-F-F-Fleain'
We've got a full house of vendors in Fort Greene tomorrow, including a new organic Asian hot dog vendor, a new tote bag designer and a new old-school seller of silver, lighters and New York ephemera; for a more detailed look at what's new this week, check out the Flea Blog. (Also check out the Scavenger Hunt items here while you're at it.) Sunday should be a fun one in Dumbo too, as we'll be set up for the day in the beautifully restored Manhattan Bridge Arch (above) while the Photo Festival uses our regular spots on Front Street. The Brooklyn Flea is held on Saturdays at the Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School in Fort Greene (176 Lafayette Avenue between Clermont and Vanderbilt Avenues; take the C train to Clinton-Washington or the G train to Clinton Avenue) and on Sundays in Dumbo (this week in the Manhattan Bridge Arch).
Today on the Forum
Here are some of the topics posted on The Forum today:
For Sale: Backbar Barback (above)
Is a Cedar Tub Enclosure Durable?
Advice on Park Slope Parking Space
Recs for Good, Inexpensive Mower
Sprinkler System in Co-op Won't Pass Test
Is There a Comprehensive Listing of Rental Bargains?
Avalon Fort Greene Tops Out
Biking down Myrtle Avenue this morning, we were pretty sure we could count 42 stories at the Avalon Bay development at the corner of Flatbush Extension. Since this is the number of stories listed in DOB permits, we decided to check in with a trusted source and, sure enough, it turns out there was a topping-out party this week. Looks like they forgot to invite a certain someone. To show there are no hard feelings, we will celebrate the occasion by agreeing to henceforth refer to this project as Avalon Fort Greene (the official name) rather than the more specific moniker of Avalon Myrtle that we began using way back when when this was just a glint in the architect's eyes.
Avalon Myrtle Showing Some Brick [Brownstoner]
Avalon Myrtle Passes the 3/4 Mark [Brownstoner] GMAP
Development Watch: Avalon Myrtle in High Gear [Brownstoner]
Development Watch: Avalon Rising on Myrtle [Brownstoner]
Avalon from Above: Seven Weeks Later [Brownstoner]
Development Watch: Avalon Fort Greene from Above [Brownstoner]
Avalon Myrtle Hit With Stop Work Order [Brownstoner]
Development Watch: 159 Myrtle Avenue [Brownstoner]
Foundation Push at Avalon Myrtle [Brownstoner]
Development Watch: 159 Myrtle Avenue [Brownstoner]
Myrtle Building Boom from Above [Brownstoner]
So That's What Avalon Myrtle Will Look Like! [Brownstoner]
Streetlevel: Rubdowns on Smith
Living on Smith closed last fall (not a great surprise given some of the customer feedback) and, reports a reader, a new business called Relaxing on Smith is now open in its place. Judging from the imagery on the awning, though, could this place be offering more than just backrubs? GMAP
Open House Picks
Park Slope
36 Montgomery Place
Warren Lewis
Sunday 1-2:30
$3,700,000
GMAP P*Shark
Park Slope
338 4th Street
Brooklyn Properties
Saturday 11:30-1
$1,995,000
GMAP P*Shark
Victorian Flatbush
1306 Albemarle Road
Corcoran
Saturday 11:30-1
$1,895,000
GMAP P*Shark
Bedford Stuyvesant
691 Monroe Street
Abacus Properties
Sunday 1-2:30
$580,000
GMAP P*Shark
Open House Picks: Six Months Later
Comment: Lower prices but at least some deals are getting done.
Open House Picks 11/14/08 [Brownstoner]
Previous Six Months Later Posts [Brownstoner]
Checking In On 105 Lexington Avenue
It's been a long slog, but we're hearing from the broker that the first wave of closings at 105 Lexington Avenue, a very nice loft conversion project on the Clinton Hill/Bed Stuy border, is about to happen. (To clear up some confusion, this is a different project and developer from 95 Lexington.) To date, eight of 32 units are in contract. There haven't been any price cuts recently but the sponsor has a deal on the table to pay one year of common charges for anyone who signs a contract before June 1. The average price per square foot of the listings is $533, according to StreetEasy. There's an open house from 3 to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
105 Lexington Avenue Listings [StreetEast] GMAP
105 Lexington Avenue Coming to Market [Brownstoner]
Greenpoint's Pencil Factory Shut Down
As blogged by Vanishing New York and picked up by Curbed, the Pencil Lofts site at 122 West Street in Greenpoint has hit a wall; VNY noticed that the DOB permits had been removed from their plexiglass protection and in their place was scrawled a note saying "Job Shut Down 5/5/09." (To be fair, DOB records show no action on that date.) This leads the blog to ask, "But can luxurification really happen in the shadow of burnt-out warehouses, in the deep hole of the New Depression?"
Greenpoint: Post-Apoc [Vanishing New York] GMAP
Magic Marker Spells Trouble at Greenpoint's Pencil Factory [Curbed]
Photo from NY Shitty
5th Avenue Cafe Not Long for This World
It seems like only yesterday we were announcing the imminent opening of a new cafe at 581 5th Avenue. (Okay, it was last October but you get the idea.) Now comes word and visual proof from a tipster that said cafe is no more and that the Marshal was involved in its eviction. A For Rent sign is now up in the window. Anyone know what happened?
Streetlevel: Fifth Avenue Gets New Café [Brownstoner] GMAP
Dressing Up Montague Parking Meters
We'll admit to not entirely "getting it," but that doesn't make the parking meter art project organized by the Montague Street BID this week any less fun. As the reported, "dozens" of volunteers spent Wednesday night sheathing 69 parking meters on the Brooklyn Heights commercial strip with yarn cozies; the official unveiling was during No Parking hours yesterday morning. (Check out the photo above and more at StreetsBlog.) The event took its cue from similar undertakings in Paris and Mexico City.
Backyard Reno Unveils Old Well in Fort Greene
This just in from a reader:
We are in the midst of a renovation of our brownstone in Ft. Greene and made a fascinating discovery in our backyard. The contractors were digging a hole to pour the footings for an extension and new deck and they stumbled across the opening of an old well. The well was below what used to be a blue stone patio and the opening was under about 2 feet of dirt. The well is approximately 8 to 10 feet deep and is made of stone. I'd like to get readers' opinions about the use of and history of wells in Brownstone Brooklyn. Also, I'd like to get readers' suggestions about what I should do with it. I am sure my contractor will suggest that we fill it in and keep building, but I am interested in hearing ideas about preserving the well or maybe some creative way of incorporating it into our backyard or renovation. I'd hate to just cover it up because it's a pretty cool discovery.
Cool indeed! Any ideas? Check out another close-up photo on the jump.
Continue reading "Backyard Reno Unveils Old Well in Fort Greene"
Open Studios This Weekend in Fort Greene & Clinton Hill
This Saturday and Sunday the SONYA (South of the Navy Yard Artists) Stroll celebrates its 10th Anniversary with its biggest open studio weekend ever. The free, self-guided walking tour takes place from 12-6 p.m. both days across parts of Fort Greene, Clinton Hill and Wallabout. For a complete list of artists and locations, check out this map.
Horror Show Friday: Mutant Facade Repair
We were biking through Wallabout earlier this week and were struck by the rather odd design choice at 33 Vanderbilt Avenue. For some reason, someone decided to put a layer of screamingly new brick on the lower half of the facade. What possible reason—other than pure bad taste—could account for this decision? Is it cheaper than repairing the existing facade? GMAP
Booker Again Predicts Nets Won't Make It To Brooklyn
"I'm going to go way out on a limb here and let you know maybe more than I should... I am confident now more than ever that the deal in Brooklyn is just not going anywhere. I think there's going to be a comeuppance very soon where the team is going to go up for sale. That's my prediction--I really do believe it. I'm working on this issue more than I ever imagined I would, because the Nets in Newark would have a significant game-change, in terms of the energy and the excitement and the job opportunities and economic investment in our downtown. So it's something I'm working on a lot. I've watched the deal very closely. I know people that are involved in the deal. It does not look like it's going anywhere in Brooklyn." — Newark Mayor Cory Booker on WGBO radio
Non-Mooney's Gets Points for Humor
A little humor and boozey content to kick off Friday...The new tenant in the old Mooney's space realizes it has big shoes to fill and, evidently, is taking the responsibility with a sense of humor. The new watering hole is called Sharlene's and, from the looks of the photo on the jump, is maintaining an old-school vibe. Anyone have a drink there yet? GMAP
Weekend Events
It's My Park! Day
Join your neighbors in caring for and celebrating New York City parks on It's My Park! Day. Participate in clean-up and planting projects, enjoy free events, or just get outside to enjoy your park. Supplies are provided for all projects. The theme this year is to "Reclaim our Waterfront Parks," with shore clean-ups, free paddling and rowing, and other water-based activities at sites throughout the city. Participating parks in Brooklyn are Coffey Park, Valentino Pier, and Kaiser Park.
Saturday, May 16. See website for park details and times.
New York Photo Festival
The New York Photo Festival started yesterday in Dumbo runs through Monday. Numerous locations in the historic waterfront neighborhood have been turned into temporary installation spaces for work by some of the foremost contemporary photographers in the world as well as curated shows drawing from the photography's rich history. Kick-off point is Powerhouse Books at 37 Main Street.
Brooklyn Flea
The Brooklyn Flea takes place outdoors in Ft. Greene on Saturday indoors in Dumbo on Sunday. Both locations feature a great mix of vintage, antiques, jewelry and food.
Saturday, May 16. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School, Lafayette Avenue between Clermont and Vanderbilt Avenues. Dumbo Flea: Sunday, May 17. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Under "The Arch" of the Manhattan Bridge.
Please send your events listings to events@brownstoner.com
Friday Links
Water Rate Increase Smaller Than Expected [NYT/City Room]
SONYA Featured Artist: Bob Marvin [NYT/Local]
City Wants New Coaster for Coney [NY Post]
Nazi Graffiti in Sheepshead Bay [NY Post]
Brooklyn Girl Survives Skylight Fall [NY Post]
Vito Lopez Top Pork Giver [NY Daily News]
Drastic Cutbacks Expected at BPL [Brooklyn Eagle]
What Happened to Utility Work on Pacific? [AY Report]
Carlton Bridge Could Open to Pedestrians Soon [AY Report]
Photo by Joe Bianchi
Thursday Blogwrap
In Greenwood Cemetery. Photo by steffiekeith from the Brownstoner Flickr Pool.
Glatt Diner [Lost City NY]
Robert Moses and the BQE [Clinton Hill Blog]
Brooklyn Bowl Sneak Peek and Tour [Brooklyn Based]
The Fun Keeps on Coming at 184 Eagle Street [New York Shitty]
BROWNSTONE VOYEUR: All the Details in Boerum Hill [casaCARA]
Closing Bell: Brooklyn Kickballers Blocked
The much talked about Brooklyn Kickball League has hit a snag this season. The Brooklyn Paper reports that some newly planted trees, as part of Mayor Bloomberg’s Million Trees program, has forced the league to reconfigure the fields which puts players at risk of colliding with each other in the outfield. The city says they didn't plant the trees in that location out of malice. Some of the players want the trees moved, while others say just keep playing around them. Kickballer Brian Riccardi adds that "hopefully there are no collisions, but considering our steady diet of PBR, someone is bound to get hurt."
Photo by Shelby Elizabeth.
Today on the Forum
Here are some of the topics posted on The Forum today:
Suggestions for Kitchen Renovation (above)
Bigger Kitchen vs. First Floor Bath
Help with Installing Flat-Screen TV
How Long Will I Have to Pay PMI?
Is This Townhouse in Williamsburg a Wise Investment?
Development Watch: 236 Livingston Street
236 Livingston Street is in the fun stage of development from an observer's standpoint—every time you go by it has made satisfyingly big strides. The change since February is pretty dramatic. It's a little hard to tell from this angle, but it looks like it's made it to about 20 stories or so—it's scheduled to top out at 26.
Development Watch: 236 Livingston Street Rising [Brownstoner]
Development Watch: Action at 236 Livingston [Brownstoner] GMAP
Development Watch: 236 Livingston Street [Brownstoner] P*Shark DOB
Streetlevel: Sneakers for Willoughby
Where a former pilates studio, a new sneaker store is getting ready to open at 45 Willoughby Avenue in Fort Greene. Shoe shoppers will be sure to be well-caffeinated given the store's proximity to java joint Bidonville. GMAP
House of the Day: 291 Sackett Street
There's no big "wow" factor with 291 Sackett Street, but it's still a reasonably cute house. There are a few renovation choices we're not in love with (kitchen cabs, sheetrock-y feel to many of the walls), but we're more struck with the modest scale of the rooms in this house. We suspect it might be that most of the photos are from the garden level of the house where ceilings tend to be lowest but that's our biggest concern about the place. The asking price is $1,645,000. On a related note, isn't it about time that Cobble Heights Realty built a usable website? We're not in 2003 anymore, Dorothy.
291 Sackett Street [Cobble Heights] GMAP P*Shark
Co-op of the Day: 135 Prospect Park SW
Return of the stuffed animal photos! Our furry friend was last spotted in a studio in Prospect Heights and now has popped up in this two-bedroom co-op at 135 Prospect Park Southwest in Windsor Terrace. In case you couldn't tell from the Home Depot-esque kitchen, the listing is a sponsor unit--so no board approval required. You will be required to pony up a modest monthly maintenance of $670. The asking price is $639,000. By comparison, we featured a one-bedroom in the building in March asking $399,000 that appears to have gone into contract already.
135 Prospect Park SW [Arlene Greendlinger] GMAP P*Shark
Inside Third & Bond: Week 84
In response to readers last week who were daunted by the idea of loping backward 82 weeks to find floor plans we’re showing off the garden duplex via a short (amateur) video of the space as it is this week. Click here for the youtube video:
Below are the floor plans for those of you who want a closer look. It’s helpful for us to refresh ourselves with the layouts, too. With all the issues that come up after the architectural plans are signed off we tend to forget how our end product will come together. We know the color of grout in the bathroom wall tiles but can’t remember if the toilet is next to the tub or the sink. It’s worth taking a moment to reconnect with the larger vision.
Inside Third & Bond: Weeks 1-83 [Brownstoner]
Our new legal fine print: The complete offering terms are in an Offering Plan available from Sponsor. File No. CD080490. Sponsor: Hudson Third LLC, 826 Broadway, New York, NY 10003.
Brooklyn Ground Zero for Lead Soil Problems
Gardens of houses built before 1978 (when lead-based paint was banned) are likely to contain soil with excessive levels of lead, according to an article in today's New York Times, which means that most Brooklynites with access to a back yard have some work to do. Frank Meuschke, an artist living in a rented house in Brooklyn, had his soil tested at Brooklyn College for $12 and found that it contained nine times the normal amount of lead. The health implications go beyond whether it's safe to eat a tomato from your garden-- Gabriel Filippelli, a professor of earth science at Indiana University-Purdue University has shown a direct correlation between lead levels in people’s blood and how much lead is in the soil where they live. Approaches to dealing with the problem include replacing the soil altogether to putting down sod to mixing in compost and lime. What approaches have readers used?
Brooklyn Sales: Under a Million
Some of the sales recorded last week that went for $1 million or less:
$250K or under: FLATBUSH
415 Argyle Road, #5T; Price=$250,000 GMAP
This is a 700-sf, 1-bedroom, according to Trulia. Closed on 4/24/09; deed recorded on 5/5/09.
$300-$500K Range: CLINTON HILL
195 Classon Avenue, Unit 2A; Price=$496,860 GMAP
A 1,136-square-foot, 2-bedroom condo, according to StreetEasy. The unit, which is in a development called The Azure, was initially asking $735,000 when it hit the market in mid-2007. Entered into contract on 9/6/08; closed on 4/22/09; deed recorded on 5/6/09.
$500-$750K Range: BUSHWICK
128 Schaefer Street; Price=$700,000 GMAP
A 2,430-square-foot, 3-family house, according to Property Shark. The price doesn't make much sense, given that it last sold for $276,000 in September. Entered into contract on 12/23/08; closed on 1/29/09; deed recorded on 5/8/09.
$750K-$1 Million Range: SOUTH SLOPE
460 11th Street; Price=$999,000 GMAP
This is a 2,160-sf, 3-family, according to Property Shark. Sold via estate sale. Entered into contract on 2/20/09; closed on 4/24/09; deed recorded on 5/7/09.
415 Argyle, 128 Schaefer, and 460 11th photos from Property Shark aside from 34 Crooke, which is from 34 Crooke Ave.
Refinancing: How Sweet It Is
We've had a 6 percent 30-Year fixed mortgage since we bought our house in 2005. With rates at historic lows, we, like many people, started looking into refinancing earlier in the year, but had to put it on hold until we got tax extensions, and then returns, filed. When we spoke with the mortgage specialist at Chase in February the conforming loan limit for a two-family house in Brooklyn was just south of $800,000. When we got on the phone yesterday morning we were pleased to learn that the conforming limit had recently been raised to $934,200; the single-family limit is $729,750. We were able to do a 90-day lock for a 1/4 point at 5 percent. Here's where you have to start to question how low prices can really go: With rates where they are right now, you could, say, buy a $1.2 million house and lock in mortgage payments of $5,000 a month; assume you make $1,500 on your rental and you're down to $3,500; throw in the tax breaks and you're down to $2,500; add back in $1,000 a month for taxes and insurance and you're back up to $3,500. $3,500 a month to own your own house in New York City and have, say, 2,400 square feet of living space for yourself (three out of four floors). The trickier part comes when you need to finance more than that $934,200. Have any readers gotten financing for significantly more than that recently? How did you structure it? We heard from Chase that HELOCs are quite hard to get right now?
The Synagogues of Brownsville
A book called The Lost Synagogues of Brooklyn has just been published and we've got some of the photos for you above. Author Ellen Levitt, a lifelong Brooklynite, examines 91 former synagogues in Brownsville, East New York, East Flatbush and Bedford Stuyvesant that, largely through shifting demographic patterns, are no longer used for their original purpose. In most cases, like the five from Brownsville above, they have been converted to churches despite retaining their Jewish symbols.
752 Pacific Street Owner Looking for $25 Mil in Damages
While some Atlantic Yards opponents probably think the recent appeals court ruling that Jeshayahu Boymelgreen violated the terms of his lease with the owner of 752 Pacific Street by subletting to Forest City Ratner is priceless, the owner's law firm is being a little more precise in its calculations: It's going to sue for $25 million or so to make up for loss in value since the lease was violated back in 2006, reports Crain's. GMAP
Bay Ridge Apartment Building Sale Biggest of Year So Far
The rental building at 333 Ovington Avenue between 3rd and 4th Avenues just sold for $11,225,000, making it the largest real estate deal of the year so far in Brooklyn. The price tag translated into a 6% cap rate, a level that was achievable in this market because of the below-market rents in the 119-unit elevator building. Massey Knakal, which represented the seller, reported that it received 25 offers for the property. GMAP
Jane's Carousel Bound for Brooklyn Bridge Park
Not sure how we missed this, but the Brooklyn Eagle reported on Monday that, after years of discussions, the vintage carousel that Jane Walentas restored by hand and that more recently has been housed in a cramped storefront on Water Street will get its day in the park. Brooklyn Bridge Park, that is. While no official announcement has been forthcoming yet, The Eagle says that Jane's Carousel will be located on the western shore of the cove in front of the Tobacco Warehouse (a stone's throw from the new Brooklyn Flea location) and be housed in a glass structure designed by the starchitect Jean Nouvel.
Jane’s Carousel Reportedly Finds a New Home [Brooklyn Eagle]
Can Ditmas Park Save The Middle Class?
Despite tremendous quality-of-life gains, more residents left New York City in 2006 than in 1993. (Brooklyn was the one borough that bucked that trend.) The main reason, says an article from the American Enterprise Institute, is the the rising cost of living for middle-class families. In fact, New York now has the lowest rate of middle-income families of any city; and, except for Los Angeles, it also has the smallest percentage of middle-income neighborhoods. One exception—and a model for the future—is Ditmas Park:
The ‘place’ Ellen and Joe looked for was not just a physical location but something less tangible: a sense of community and a neighborhood to raise their hoped-for children. Although they considered suburban locations, as most families do, ultimately they chose the Ditmas Park neighborhood of Brooklyn, where Joe had grown up. At first, this seemed a risky choice. While Joe was growing up in the 1980s, the neighborhood—a mixture of Victorian homes and modest apartments—had become crime-infested. The old families were moving out, and newer ones were not replacing them. Yet Joe’s Mom still lived there, and they liked the idea of having grandma around for their planned-for family.
Politicians genuflect to the idea of maintaining a middle class, yet their actions suggest otherwise. In a city that has been losing middle-class families for generations, the resurgence of places like Ditmas Park represents a welcome change. In recent years, child-friendly restaurants and shops have started up along once-decayed Cortelyou Road. More important, some local elementary schools have shown marked improvement, with an increase in parental involvement and new facilities. Even in hard economic times, the area has become a beacon to New York families, as well as singles seeking a community where they will put down long-term roots. “There’s an attempt in this neighborhood to break down the city feel and to see this more as a kind of a small town,” notes Ellen. “It may be in the city, but it’s a community unto itself, a place where you can stay and raise your children.”
If cities like New York want to nurture their middle-class populations, the article suggests, they will need to shift their priorities away from "subsidizing developers for luxury mega-developments, new museums, or performing arts centers" and instead focus on "those things critical to the middle class such as maintaining relatively low density work areas and shopping streets, new schools, and parks." In our opinion, at the end of the day, it's all about the schools.
The Luxury City vs. the Middle Class [The American]
Thursday Links
Investment Banker to Run City Housing Authority [NY Times]
City Population Reaches 8.4 Million [NY TImes]
Slow Start to Federal Plan for Modifying Mortgages [NY Times]
City to Bring Wifi Back to Parks [NY Post]
Green Space Slow Coming to North B'klyn [NY Daily News]
First Charter School to Open in Projects [NY Daily News]
Groundbreaking for Nostrand Playground [Brooklyn Eagle]
Thor's Coney ‘Festival’ Suffers Setback [Brooklyn Paper]
Ratner Backs Off Pledge to Build Arena [AY Report]
Photo by bluejake
Wednesday Blogwrap
Public Shelter. Photo by 99Sense from the Brownstoner Flickr Pool.
Greenpoint: Franklin St. [Jeremiah's Vanishing NY]
Not a Park: 65 Commercial Street [Brooklyn 11211]
Recap of BQE Triple Cantilever Meeting [Brooklyn Heights Blog]
10 Easy Pieces: Economical Task Lamps [Remodelista]
Dumbo Sidewalk Shed Takeover No Match for Caution Tape [Curbed]
Closing Bell: Visit 9 in '09
The Beat has all the info on a new tourism initiative launched by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn, and Council Member Melissa Mark-Viverito. Nine in ‘09 encourages residents to "explore nine highlighted, culturally-diverse neighborhoods across the five boroughs with distinct cultural, retail, dining and entertainment offerings." Don't have the cash to go on a vacation this summer? Nine in '09 outlines the perfect staycation. You can view sample itineraries with neighborhood information here. For that staycation in Brooklyn, find out what Brighton Beach and Flatbush have to offer (like a visit to the Flatbush Caton Market).
Photo by Ana Rose.
Today on the Forum
Here are some of the topics posted on The Forum today:
Need Info on Fence Law
Inspection for New Construction?
Recs for Kitchen Renovation Specialist
Co-op Sponsor Asking for Unpaid SCRIE
Advertised Square Footage on New Building
Development Watch: 255 4th Avenue
We wouldn't call the pace of work at 255 4th Avenue "rapid" by any stretch of the imagination. Last time we checked in on the building back in September, it was about 2/3 framed-out. Now it's got some of its exterior walls in place and is cloaked in a protective sheath but still looks many months from anyone being able to live there. Anyone know whether this will be condos or rentals?
255 4th Avenue on the Rise [Brownstoner] GMAP P*Shark
Development Watch: 4th Avenue Twofer [Brownstoner]
Development Watch: Unstable at 255 Fourth Avenue? [Brownstoner]
Streetlevel: Another Bakery Coming to Fulton
The retail space at 886 Fulton between Waverly and Washington that housed K.V. Computers (and J&J Cafe before that) is getting a bakery as a new tenant; the news comes just six months after another bakery, Desserts by Michael Allen, opened at 1015 Fulton Street. The shop is being opened by Etwin Goodwin who runs an existing custom baking business called Essential Cakes. Her specialty is red velvet so Cake Man Raven better watch out! GMAP
House of the Day: 129 Prospect Place
The curse of the crappy kitchen! This otherwise-charming brownstone at 129 Prospect Place in Prospect Heights (which was an Open House Pick last September) really hurt its chances of achieving anywhere near its asking price (originally $2,650,000 and now $2,500,000) by cutting corners on its kitchens. The house does have the fact that it's five stories large going for it, but it's also a five-family which typically carries its own set of challenges for the average family buyer. Seems to us the price still has got a ways to go.
129 Prospect Place [Brooklyn Properties] GMAP P*Shark
Co-op of the Day: 1 Plaza Street West 2 BR
We're liking the look of this two-bedroom co-op at 1 Plaza Street West in Park Slope. We wish the monthly maintenance of $1,170 were a tad lower, but given the light, prewar details and generous floorplan, we think this is looking pretty darn reasonable at the asking price of $695,000. You gotta problem wid dat?
1 Plaza Street West 2 BR [Corcoran] GMAP P*Shark
Brooklyn Food & Drink Round-Up
4 New Restaurants
Pardon Me For Asking contributor Manny Simone hit the new vegetarian-friendly Carroll Gardens spot, Olga's on Smith, on opening night and shares the highlights: "The Asian cucumber salad with mint was refreshing (and I don’t even like cucumbers), and the cous cous with garbanzo beans and tomatoes were delicious (my personal favorite)." ...Reader Ashok B tips us off about Grandma Rose's, an Italian-American spot that's opening at 457 Graham Avenue, near the BQE... Shop Downtown Brooklyn notes: "Sea Asian, has moved to 125 Livingston Street (between Boerum Place and Smith Street) in Downtown Brooklyn from its former location at 78 Clark Street in Brooklyn Heights," and they're offering a 20%-off grand opening deal... "Former Momofuku partner Joaquin Baca hopes to make it on his own starting this month with the opening of Brooklyn Star in Williamsburg," says Grub Street's Alexandra Vallis, who is particularly excited about trying Baca's Dr. Pepper Ribs.
Get Sloshed with the PS 58 PTA
It ain't as crazy as the upcoming Gene Ween show at PS 29 in Cobble Hill, but the PS 58 PTA in Carroll Gardens is hosting A Taste of May, a wine bar crawl, this coming Tuesday, May 19. Advance tickets cost $50 and will buy you a glass of wine and a small plate at 3 of our favorite neighborhood spots — Jake Walk, Chestnut, and Black Mountain Wine House. If this link doesn't work, you can pick up your ticket at one of the venues.
Food Trucks Park at The Yard
388–400 Carroll St., nr. Bond St., Gowanus
Grub Street reports that BKLYN Yard (the Gowanus venue formerly known as, simply, The Yard) is getting ready to reopen on May 23: "This year, it launches with an event called Parked, which will bring food trucks such as Pizza Moto, the Community Juice Truck, Van Leeuwen Artisan Ice Cream, and more. As for the rest of the season, Red Hook vendor Margarita will be back with her huaraches (get there early, before they’re devoured)."
After the jump: Brooklyn's take on California cuisine, why you should avoid Lucali's this week, and a gas station where you can fill up on gefilte fish...
Checking In On 904 Pacific Street
Man, Eli Karp really knows how to put up a building quickly! When we passed by 904 Pacific Street aka The Dakota (his fifth development on the block) last July, it wasn't much more than a hole in the ground. Now it's nearing completion. In fact, sales at the 21-unit condo began three weeks ago. Only seven listings—ranging in price from $459,000 for a 735-square-foot one-bedroom to $1,000,000 for a 1,340-square-foot penthouse with 285 square feet of outdoor space—have been released yet and no one's signed a contract yet. Anyone visited yet?
Hello Living Build Spreads to Washington [Brownstoner]GMAP
What To Do About That Pesky Drug Dealer?
Here's a specific situation facing a tenant in a building but his question could also apply more broadly to illicit activity going on in the vicinity of your home:
I've got quite the interesting situation going on in my building. I live on the first floor, and I know for a fact that there's a drug dealer in my building. Here's how it works: a "client" will ring the buzzer, get buzzed into the first floor vestibule, the dealer comes down the steps from the fourth floor, and sells drugs to the client. I can hear the transactions happening since they're actually dumb enough to think their voices don't travel through my door when they're standing right next to it. "Let me get two"... "Make sure you tuck that in your pocket before you leave"... "No credit"... "Pay me now"...
This makes me extremely uncomfortable to know that this type of activity is so close to home. Because this goes on at all hours of the night and keeps me awake, I want to call the police and report this, but I also am wary of the "don't snitch" edict in this neighborhood. I should also mention that even when not dealing, this guy and some friends are usually smoking blunts in the hallway (right outside my door) from 12am to 2am on weeknights.
I just don't know what to do: (A) suck it up and wait til August and hope to get some sleep before then OR (B) call the police, hope that the dealer doesn't figure out it's me, and maybe have an increased chance of sleep. I've posted about this before, and the situation is now even worse. Anyone out there have advice?
Any thoughts?
Drug Dealer in Building [Brooklynian]
Old-School Pratt
How cool is this! The Pratt Institute Libraries has just finished uploading its collection of historic images from the school's history. The school has created a number of different Flickr sets of photos; check out the list here. We pulled out five photos from this set for you, and have provided direct links below. We love this first shot with the elevated tracks in the foreground.
Science and Technology Quad [Pratt/Flickr]
DeKalb Gate [Pratt/Flickr]
Library [Pratt/Flickr]
Main Building [Pratt/Flickr]
Machinery Classroom [Pratt/Flickr]
Name Change for Finger Building
As we reported back in January, the much-maligned finger building at 133 North 7th Street in Williamsburg changed hands for $8,000,000 at the end of last year. In addition to finishing the construction and hunting for a tenant for the 20,000-square-foot retail space, the new owner, GFI, is also engaging in some rebranding, reports the Daily News. The 17-story flip-of-the-bird to the nabe shall henceforth be known (officially) as the Albero. It's worth a try!
Building Still Riles Nabe, No Matter Name [NY Daily News]
New Lease on Life for Finger Building [Brownstoner]
Amputation in Finger's Future? [Brownstoner] GMAP
The Finger Building's Date in Supreme Court [Brownstoner]
Farragut Houses Getting Greenery, Bike Lanes
On the way to the office yesterday, we passed these trees being delivered to the Farragut Houses in Vinegar Hill. The delivery men told us they were for the grounds of complex; a little digging revealed that this is part of a larger initiative among DOT, the Tenants Association, Council Member James and Reverend Taylor to modify the surrounding streets of Sands, Navy and Gold with medians, bike lanes and trees.
Two-Way Traffic Restored to Flushing!
Almost five and a half years after construction began on Flushing Avenue, normal traffic patterns were restored yesterday. At some point in during the afternoon, eastbound traffic resumed in front of the Admirals Row and flyers announcing the return of two-way traffic were put on the windshields of cars that were left stranded facing the wrong way by their unsuspecting owners. Now how about a bike lane while we wait for the Greenway?
LPC Approves Fillmore Place Historic District
Yesterday the Landmarks Preservation Commission voted unanimously to make Fillmore Place, a one-block stretch of 29 mostly brick mid-19th century row houses between Roebling Street and Driggs Avenue just north of Grand Street in Williamsburg, an Historic District yesterday. “Constructed for working class-tenants, the architecture of the buildings in this district has more in common with fashionable middle- and upper-class single-family row houses than the tenements that were typically built to house them,” said Chairman Robert Tierney. “The district is an evocative reminder of this period in Brooklyn’s history.” Henry Miller spent part of his childhood at 662 Driggs Avenue, at right.
Widespread Support for Three New Brooklyn Landmarks [Brownstoner]
Fillmore Place, Hubbard House on LPC Agenda Tomorrow [Brownstoner]
Push to Make Burg's Fillmore Place a Historic District [Brownstoner]
Wednesday Links
Police Making Record Number of Stops in ’09 [NY Times]
Sweet Somethings From Brooklyn [NY Times]
Home Prices Fall in 90% of Cities [NY Post]
Four Fire Companies to Close [NY Daily News]
YWCA Renovation Stuck in Limbo [NY Daily News]
Concord Market to Open Next Month [Brooklyn Eagle]
BQE Reno Won't Start 'Til 2020 [Brooklyn Paper]
Whither Atlantic Yards Affordable Housing? [AY Report]
Photo by bitchcakesny
Tuesday Blogwrap
Maujer near Humboldt. Photo by cdaileycrafton from the Brownstoner Flickr Pool.
Meet GBCares New President [Gerritsen Beach]
In Brooklyn We Read Books [Brooklyn Based]
Film, Filmmaking and Fort Greene [The Brooklyn Ink]
Cats Also Affected by Collapse of 217 Court [Lost City NY]
What I Learned from the Brooklyn Kitchen's Cupcake Cookoff [Serious Eats NY]
Closing Bell: Bicycle Fetish Day at City Reliquary
Over the weekend, the City Reliquary Museum in Williamsburg held its fifth annual Bicycle Fetish Day. Gothamist found a great slideshow of the event. Remember that May is Bike Month in NYC so participate in bicycle-friendly events throughout the month (like National Bike to Work Day this Friday, May 15th).
Photo by jamie nyc.
Today on the Brownstoner Backpages
On the South Slope Reno blog today, Denton shows off his spiffy new stairs, the final piece of the puzzle other than an elusive final plumbing inspection.
Over on the Flea Blog, check out some photos from this past weekend at the Flea in Ft. Greene.
And here are some of the topics posted on The Forum today:
Value of a Fireplace
Help with Sewer Problems
Recs for Fire Escape Painting
How Do You Arrange for ConEdison Meter Reading?
Should One Be Cautious with "Sold As Is" Properties?
Development Watch: 575 5th Avenue
When we last checked in on 575 5th Avenue, the 49-unit supportive housing project being developer by the Fifth Avenue Committee, it was early February and the foundation and some basement walls were in. Now they've got a couple of stories under their belt. Only three more to go!
575 Fifth on a Roll [Brownstoner] GMAP P*SharkDOB
DOB Green-Lights 575 5th Avenue [Brownstoner]
City Planning Approves FAC Project at 575 5th Ave [Brownstoner]
Marty DK's Fifth Avenue Housing Project [Brownstoner]
City Planning Considers 5th Ave Housing Facility [Brownstoner]
FAC Development at 575 Fifth Avenue [Brownstoner]
Streetlevel: From Latin to Japanese on Columbia Street
Mucho Guston at 115 Columbia Street (at Kane) is no more, reported The Word on Columbia Street last week. In its place: Iro Sushi. The Japanese joint just opened on Tuesday. Anyone tried it yet?
Goodbye Mucho Gusto, Hello Iro Sushi [WOCS] GMAP
House of the Day: 178 8th Avenue
This house at 178 8th Avenue in Park Slope is beautiful. It's configured nicely. It's been updated. It's in a prime location. Great stuff. The price of $2,995,000, however, seems hopelessly out of touch. Maybe the stock market rally of the past few weeks emboldened the sellers to put a higher price tag on it than they would have at the beginning of the year but we just don't think a house in Park Slope is going to fetch $3 million these days unless less it's a unique mansion. And, as nice as this place is, it's a relatively common brownstone. There's an open house on Sunday from 1 to 3 if you want to check it out.
178 8th Avenue [Brown Harris Stevens] GMAP P*Shark
Co-op of the Day: 38 Livingston Street, #54
The photos on this listing are barely large enough to see, so we hope we're not misjudging anything, but this place at 38 Livingston Street (a building which we've never even mentioned so far) in Brooklyn Heights looks like a nice basic one-bedroom. Sensible layout, nice light, recently reno'd. The current owner paid $452,000 for this place in March 2007 and is now asking $499,000. It's unclear whether the kitchen renovation was done on the seller's dime or the previous owner. The 700-square-foot has a reasonable monthly maintenance charge of $719. Think it's got a chance? We think the seller will end up getting closer to what he paid for it in '07.
38 Livingston Street, #54 [Halstead] GMAP P*Shark
Last Week's Biggest Sales
1. MIDWOOD $2,036,500
1028 East 9th Street GMAP (left)
This is a 2,288-sf, single-family, according to Property Shark. Entered into contract on 4/13/09; closed on 4/30/09; deed recorded on 5/8/09.
2. MIDWOOD $1,500,000
1127 East 17th Street GMAP (right)
A 3,419-sf, single-family house, per Property Shark. Entered into contract on 11/14/08; closed on 4/30/09; deed recorded on 5/7/09.
3. DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN $1,375,000
306 Gold Street, Unit 41F GMAP
This sale in the Oro condo included two storage spaces. The 3-bed, 3-bath unit was originally listed for $1,660,000, according to StreetEasy. Entered into contract on 10/24/08; closed on 4/24/09; deed recorded on 5/7/09.
4. SHEEPSHEAD BAY $1,277,903
3112 Emmons Avenue, Unit 4 GMAP
A condo plus a parking space in The Breakers development. Entered into contract on 2/8/08; closed on 2/24/09; deed recorded on 5/7/09.
5. SOUTH SLOPE $1,250,000
317 Prospect Avenue GMAP
This two-family last sold for $760,000 in 2007, according to Property Shark. It was originally listed for $1.425 million last September. The price was cut a couple of times, until it was asking $1,265,000 in December. Entered into contract on 12/18/08; closed on 2/26/09; deed recorded on 5/7/09.
Photos from Property Shark.
Price Cut at 355 Degraw Street
This has flown under our radar 'til now...This two-family, four-story brick house at 355 Degraw Street in Carroll Gardens hit the market asking $1,950,000 in early April and was just reduced yesterday by a modest $75,000 to $1,875,000. It was recently renovated and has a nice modern feel without having lost its original charm. The new price should attract some interest, dontcha think? Has anyone been inside? Here's the listing. GMAP
Checking In On 500 4th Avenue
When we last wrote about 500 4th Avenue, Isaac Katan's 135-unit new development on Brooklyn's "Park Avenue" between 12th and 13th Streets, the one comment the post received was a question: "Any updates on the "Rental or Condo?" question?" As of two months ago, we now know that the developer decided to roll the dice with condos. So far, according to StreetEasy, four of the units are in contract and the average price per square foot asking price is $715; there has yet to be a single price cut. Only a matter of time, we'd assume.
500 4th Avenue Gets Its Skin [Brownstoner] GMAP
Olive Garden: South Slope Restaurant Rumor is BS [Brownstoner]
2/3 Sold at The Jacksonia
More good news on the Williamsburg front. The Jacksonia, a seven-building complex at 131-145 Jackson Street in Williamsburg, is almost completely spoken for. Three of the eight-unit buildings are rental and the other four are condos. Of the 32 units that were put up for sale in October 2007, 20 have been sold, one more is in contract, three more have contracts out and two have accepted offers. Not too shabby. GMAP
Walkabout with Montrose: A Progression of Cornices
The armory story will continue next week. Our intrepid photographer couldn’t get out much last week. Please enjoy this story highlighting another element of architectural ornament.Andrew Jackson Dowling, one of the giants of mid 19th century architecture in the US, wrote that a projecting roofline was “one of the simplest, cheapest and most effective modes of giving force and spirit to any building.” Large and often elaborate cornices are a hallmark of much of Western architecture. European builders carried these classical forms to America, and most of our building practices have retained this functional and stylistic form. From our first Federal townhouses in the early 1800’s to well into the 20th century, most of the architectural styles that now line our streets feature broad cornices, with the size and complexity of those cornices, brackets and forms of ornamentation changing with the fashion of the times.
On a practical level, the cornice has important functions. It holds and hides the gutters and drainpipes that allow water to flow from a flat roof, directing that water away from the façade of the house. The larger the overhang, the more shade the cornice provides. In the centuries before air conditioning, the importance of this can’t be ignored. Aesthetically, the cornice casts pleasing shadows on the façade, drawing attention to the other details of the building. As the row house became the dominant residential building style in New York, the cornice was used as a stylistic element of the individual house, as well as the entire row. By the Italianate period, in the mid 1900’s, cornices were made of wood, pressed metal, or stone, traditions that lasted for more than half a century. Only in the last decade of the 19th century, when the eclectic building styles that we lump together as “Queen Anne” became the fashion of the day, did architects sometimes abandon the flat roof and rectangular façade. Peaked and shaped rooflines suggesting a Dutch, Flemish or Tudor cottage design precluded the need for the standard cornice, but these buildings do not make up the majority of residential and commercial buildings in Brownstone Brooklyn. The cornice still rules.
Continue reading "Walkabout with Montrose: A Progression of Cornices"
Call For Community Board Bloggers
There's been a lot of discussion in recent weeks about the decline of newspapers and whether blogs will be able to pick up the slack as newspapers cut back in general and on their local coverage in particular. We'd like to try to take one step to address this issue by increasing our coverage of what's happening at the community board level. To that end, we're putting out a call for people who would like to cover their community boards. All we'd expect is that you'd make it to the general meeting every month plus the odd land use, transportation or parks & recs committee meetings when there's something particularly juicy on the agenda. No formal journalism skills are required. Reliability, attention to detail and some common sense should be all you need. You could be in grad school or a grandparent, we don't care; and you should own a digital camera. There will be a modest stipend for each report but don't expect to retire on it. If you're interested, please email brownstoner@brownstoner.com with "Blogger: CB #" in the header (substitute whatever community board number you want to cover for the "#" symbol). Let's see how this goes...Update: Thanks to everyone who's emailed already. Keep 'em coming! We're going to let the dust settle before getting back to everyone directly in the next couple of days.
53 Lincoln Condos Hit the Market
A new glassy addition to the brownstone block of Lincoln Place between 5th and 6th Avenues in Park Slope just hit the market this week. The modern building has four apartments—three floor-throughs and one duplex—ranging in price from $995,000 to $1,950,000. (It looks like Aguayo & Huebener is sharing the broker duties with Sotheby's.) It'll be interesting to see what the appetite is for spaces in this area that are priced at almost $1,000 between $800 and $900 a foot. What do you think?
53 Lincoln Place [StreetEasy] GMAP
Black Lotus Revealed
Remember the tattoo parlor we told you would be opening on Greene Avenue between Grand and Cambridge? Well, it opened last week, complete with a swanky new awning. We chatted with the two partners in front of the store a few days ago and they told us that there would a lot of art rotating through the gallery space. We wouldn't be surprised to see some fun art-related parties taking place here either.
Clinton Hill Getting a Tattoo Parlor [Brownstoner] GMAP
Boymelgreen-Ratner Deal on Pacific Was Indeed "Improper"
A 2007 Supreme Court ruling that declared a lease deal between the developers Shaya Boymelgreen and Forest City Ratner improper was upheld yesterday by an Appeals Court in Brooklyn. The ruling in the original case, 752 Pacific, LLC v. Pacific Carlton Development Corp., found that Boymelgreen had violated the terms on his original lease at 752 Pacific Street (which has another 39 years left on it) by failing to obtain written consent from the landlord before entering into a sub-lease agreement with Ratner. Now the question is what the impact of the appellate ruling will be.
Appellate Division Agrees, One Ratner Lease Is Void [Brooklyn Eagle]
Judge Rules Ratner Obtained Properties Illegally [Brownstoner]
Tuesday Links
Subway Riders Will Pay More, but Less Than Feared [NY Times]
As Storefronts Become Vacant, Ads Arrive [NY TImes]
Rates Rise at Fort Greene Family Shelter [NYT/Local]
Bushwick Firehouse Closing This Summer [NY Daily News]
Cheap Deals in Greenpoint [NY Daily News]
BQE Repairs Spooking Heights [Brooklyn Paper]
Photo by art is my name
Monday Blogwrap
Enchanted Prospect Park. Photo by kittytaurus from the Brownstoner Flickr Pool.
Greenpoint: Manhattan Ave [Jeremiah's Vanishing NY]
Guerilla Gardening and Mamabration [Bed-Stuy Banana]
Same Designer, Different Styles in Park Slope [casaCARA]
Car Plunges into Gowanus Canal on Saturday Morning [PMFA]
BKLYN Designs 2009: Eco-Friendly, Family-Friendly [McBrooklyn]
Closing Bell: Fifty People, One Question: Brooklyn
This video isn't exactly brand new but the people who made it recently won a Webby Award. Fifty People, One Question is a project where they go to a place, ask fifty people the same question, and then film their responses. The video asks people in Brooklyn this question—"Where would you like to wake up tomorrow?"
Today on the Forum
Here are some of the topics posted on The Forum today:
Help with Window Replacement
Where to Buy Linoleum Flooring?
How Did You Find Your Apartment?
Recs for Replacing a Basement/Bilco Door
Must Contact DOB in Order to Replace/Repair Deck?
Flea Popping Up in Manhattan Bridge Arch Sunday
This weekend's a big one in Dumbo. The New York Photo Festival, now in its second year, will take over just about every available storefront and gallery space in the nabe for its Thursday to Sunday run. As a result, The Flea won't take place in its usual Front Street locations on Sunday. Instead, we'll be set up in the Arch under the Manhattan Bridge on Sunday. Recently restored and returned to public use through the hard work of the Dumbo BID, the 6,000-square-foot space should be a spectacular setting for the 30-odd vendors lucky enough to make the cut! Check it out.
Streetlevel: Black Horse Pub Opening Soon
As previously noted by the Village Voice, the convenience store that used to occupy 568 5th Avenue in the South Slope is giving way to a new watering hole called the Black Horse Pub. According to the owners, the bar should be open "within the month." GMAP
House of the Day: 174 Clinton Avenue
Perhaps if the seller of 174 Clinton Avenue hadn't spent so much time ripping open the facade of his historic brownstone and stealing a parking space from the public by cutting the curb, he might not be in his current situation. (Oh, it also would have helped if he'd priced the property reasonably back in the fall of 2007 back when he, quite astutely, subdivided the through lot into two pieces.) The listing debuted with Brown Harris Stevens in October 2007 at $2,500,000 and was subsequently cut to $1,990,000 in April of last year before being pulled off the market. Now it has re-emerged, post-renovation, with Halstead at the wheel and a new 2009-friendly price of $1,800,000. The interior has been cleaned up considerably and, while a lot of the original woodwork has been preserved, some of the renovation choices (like the exposed brick fireplaces and modern yard) don't float our boat. That said, this price is back in reality land now. It remains to be seen whether buyers will like the in-house parking feature or lament the foregone rental income that came with that decision.
174 Clinton Avenue [Halstead] GMAP P*Shark
Clinton Ave. Curb Cutter Takes 20% Haircut [Brownstoner]
Cut and Run at 174 Clinton Avenue [Brownstoner]
Development Watch: 175 Vanderbilt Avenue [Brownstoner]
Co-op of the Day: 101 Lafayette Avenue, #17C
We're huge fans of The Griffin at 101 Lafayette Avenue and the views from this 17th floor studio look killer but the trade-off is size: There's no exact square-footage provided, but the apartment can't be a whole lot more than about 400 square feet. (There is a murphy bed though!) Given the size, both the monthly maintenance of $661 and the asking price of $345,000 feel a bit on the high side. On the other hand, the building and floor are special so maybe someone'll fall in love.
101 Lafayette Avenue, #17C [Corcoran] GMAP P*Shark
Williamsburg Waterfront Rezoning Four Years Old Today
The Greenpoint-Williamsburg Waterfront Rezoning turns 4 today, causing blog Brooklyn 11211 to take stock. The blog notes that since May 2005 over 1,000 construction projects have been filed within Community Board 1. And what has the community gotten in return? On the affordable housing front, 11211 gives the rezoning's results what sounds to us like the equivalent of a "C" grade; some of the big Kent Avenue projects have a meaningful number of affordable units but a combination of a delay on the city's part in getting the Inclusionary Housing bonus on the books and, given the easy riches at the time of market-rate condos, insufficient incentive to opt into the program meant that most smaller and mid-sized projects went up without any affordable housing. On the issue of open space, though, 11211 gives what sounds like a "D" grade. To date, the North 5th Street pier is the only public space to open as a result of the rezoning; the northside esplanade is under construction but nowhere close to ready, Bushwick Inlet Park is still in the planning stages, and the esplanade from Bushwick Inlet to Newtown Creek is "years from reality." (The creation of the laudable East River State Park Two predates the rezoning.) A couple of bright spots: The $50 million reno of the McCarren Park pool and the creation of the Open Space Alliance. The blog also cheers the fact that, despite initially resisting community calls for more stringent height and density restrictions, the city has moved ahead with contextual rezonings of three sections of North Brooklyn and rejected Quadriad's requests for permission to build tall towers on Bedford Avenue.
Happy Rezoning Day [Brooklyn 11211]
Photo by Krzysztof Poluchowicz
Shredders Coming to Squibb?
Instead of a bridge, Squibb Park may be getting a ramp. Make that several ramps. According to this week's print edition of the Brooklyn Heights Courier, Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe hopes to build a "modest" skate boarding area within the now-shuttered playground that sits below Columbia Heights at the northern end of Brooklyn Heights. (Last week it was announced that budget cuts would result in a planned bridge linking Squibb with Brooklyn Bridge Park not getting built.) "We got some great parks in Brooklyn Heights for younger kids and they are packed, but there's no place for older kids, the eight- to 12-year-olds," Benepe said. "It could be a great place for the older kids with small skateboard feature in it." Think this is a good idea?
Photo by jackszwergold
Brooklyn Nabes Topping City-Wide Sex Offender Ranks
Has Senator Jeff Klein been reading Brownstoner? Three weeks ago we ran a post detailing the high concentration of sex offenders in just a few Brooklyn neighborhoods. Now Klein, a Democrat from the the Bronx and Westchester, is out with his own analysis of the publicly-available data showing these Brooklyn nabes—Bedford-Stuyvesant, Bushwick, Brownsville, Cypress Hills and East New York—are actually among the worst in the entire city, not just Brooklyn. The New York Post reports that Klein wants to set up a system where any resident could sign up to receive an email alert when a sex offender is moving into his or her neighborhood. "This is a free, safe and easy way for families to know if there's a dangerous sexual predator living in their community," Klein said.
Civic Council Wants to Supersize Park Slope Historic District
On Thursday night, the Park Slope Civic Council set forth an ambitious plan to expand the Park Slope Historic District in three phases over the next several years; if completed, the effort would result in the largest landmarked area in the city, reported the Brooklyn Paper. Phase 1 would address the area bounded by Flatbush, Prospect Park West, 15th Street and 7th Avenue; Phase 2 would include the blocks between 5th and 7th Avenues between Union and 15th Streets; Phase 3 would encompass the strip between 4th and 5th Avenues all the way from Flatbush to 15th Street. In all, more than 5,000 new buildings would gain protection through the plan. "There is so much of Park Slope that is at risk and in danger of development," said Peter Bray, chair of the Council's Expansion Committee. “We want to preserve everything that needs to be preserved.” The Landmarks Preservation Commission will begin studying the request but in all likelihood will have its own opinions about whether the entire area gets designated. “For a historic district, we look for a distinct sense of place, and a coherent streetscape,” said LPC Spokesperson Lisi de Bourbon. (Click map to enlarge.)
Slope’s District Would Be Truly Historic Under Plan [Brooklyn Paper]
Spotlight on Brooklyn Flea Markets
Brooklyn's flea market boom makes the cover of the free Metro newspaper today. "Following the success of the Brooklyn Flea last year, the borough will be teeming with new markets this summer. Developers found a low-cost way to utilize empty lots, vendors have cheap spots to showcase their wares and consumers are learning how to haggle again." It'll be interesting to see how many fleas the market will bear. There's not an infinite supply of good vendors after all.
REBNY Panel Reality Check
Last Thursday night, the Real Estate Board of New York held a panel discussion about the impact that the bear market in real estate is having on the brokerage industry. Here are some choice quotes courtesy of The Real Deal.
"You can't get financing for anything that isn't 50 percent sold, and in some cases, 70 percent." — Hal Wilkie, Brown Harris Stevens
"Development is going to be very quiet if not non-existent for the next three years." — Diane Ramirez, Halstead
"[The current market] forces you to focus like a fat man who got a heart attack, then started to exercise." — Barak Dunayer, Barak Realty
"[Agents should] figure it out, because there's always opportunity." — Dottie Herman, Douglas Elliman
Corcoran chief Pam Liebman's comment from last week fits right in to this context: "A lot of brokers won't survive this."
Real Estate Firms and Brokers Need to Think Thin [TRD]
Prospect Park Vigilante Wages Canine Campaign
Off-leash dogs have driven one frequenter of Prospect Park cuckoo. According to a NY Post story yesterday, Orrin Tilevitz, merchant banker and ardent birder, has been waging a war against dog owners who let their dogs run free, blowing the whistle on them to the cops and posting videos of their off-leash carousing on his anti-dog blog. While plenty of people wish dog owners would keep better control of their dogs, a traumatic attack seems to have turned Tilevitz into something of an anti-dog zealot. According to one source in The Post story, Tilevitz routinely carries pepper spray around with him and recently used in on two dogs. The major problem seems to be, according to a blog post by Tilevitz on Committee for Responsible Dog Ownership, "The presence of unleashed dogs interferes with--prevents--our ability--and right--to watch birds." One of Tilevitz's trademark "gotcha" videos in embedded in the post.
Vigilante Unleashes Dogs of War [NY Post]
Photo by rlj
Brooklynites Jumping Ship to Manhattan?
Could it be that many self-proclaimed Brooklyn loyalists are ready to trade it all in at the first sign of a recession? Was the borough's surging popularity in recent years merely a function of Manhattan becoming unaffordable? Or is Brooklyn still a first choice for many? The Real Estate section cover story from yesterday's New York Times certainly tries to create the impression that, given the chance, a number of folks who professed to like Brooklyn in recent years are finding the lure of affordable rents and proximity to work just too much to resists. Take Andrew Baisley, who describes himself as a "cheerleader for Brooklyn." The Bushwick resident, though, just last month jumped at the chance to rent a $2,100-a-month one-bedroom in Chelsea. “When you go to Manhattan, there’s an air of selling out,” he says. “I’ve accepted that.” Let's try to get a sense of how many fair-weather Brooklynites there really are out there:
Manhattan Calling [NY Times]
Weekday Events
Brooklyn Vanguard's "Party with a Purpose"
Join the Brooklyn Vanguard, Brooklyn Public Library's young donor group, for a Support Our Shelves Fundraiser. Proceeds will help purchase books and DVDs, and support educational programs at Clinton Hill Library. There will be music by DJ Cosmo Baker, complimentary hors d'oeuvres, wine, and beer. Buy advance tickets here.
Thursday, May 14. 6-9 p.m. $40 in Advance; $50 at the Door (cash only). Franklin Park Bar and Beer Garden, 618 Saint Johns Place.
Carroll Gardens Rezoning Meeting
Community Board 6's Landmarks/Land Use Committee meeting will have a presentation and discussion of the Department of City Planning’s proposed Carroll Gardens Contextual Rezoning study, a proposal to contextually rezone the residential zoning district which covers the Carroll Gardens and Columbia Street Waterfront neighborhoods.
Thursday, May 14. 6:30 p.m. P.S. 58 Auditorium, 330 Smith Street.
OSA Spring Fundraiser
Open Space Alliance for North Brooklyn (OSA) is hosting a spring fundraiser event. There will be food from Brooklyn Standard, beer by Brooklyn Brewery, and wine from Green Point Wines. Celebrate OSA's recent projects like the greening of McCarren Park and the creation of new neighborhood parks like Bushwick Inlet Park. Purchase tickets here.
Thursday, May 14. 7:30 p.m. Northside Piers Penthouse, at North 5th and Kent Avenue.
Please send your events listings to events@brownstoner.com
Monday Links
Mortgages: An Emphasis on Simplicity [NY Times]
Art Openings at One Brooklyn Bridge Park [NY Times]
Newtown Creek: The Ironic Nature Walk [NY Times]
Outlaw Drivers in Prospect Park [NY Times]
Hasidic Hat-Maker Comes to Town [NY Times]
Officer Kills Brooklyn Thug in Gunfights [NY Post]
Borough Park Gas Station Goes Kosher [NY Post]
Fireman Jumps into Gowanus to Save Driver [NY Daily News]
Photo by serens
Latest Restaurant Additions
-
Teeda
added July 30, 2010 12:00 PM in Columbia Street Waterfront -
Bean Post Pub
added July 29, 2010 12:00 PM in Bay Ridge -
Cobble Grill
added July 28, 2010 12:00 PM in Cobble Hill -
Agnanti Meze
added July 27, 2010 12:00 PM in Bay Ridge -
Margaret Palca Bakes
added July 26, 2010 12:00 PM in Columbia Street Waterfront -
Skinflints
added July 23, 2010 12:00 PM in Bay Ridge -
Joe's Restaurant
added July 22, 2010 12:00 PM in Carroll Gardens -
Elia
added July 21, 2010 12:00 PM in Bay Ridge -
Abilene
added July 20, 2010 12:00 PM in Carroll Gardens -
Pegasus
added July 19, 2010 12:00 PM in Bay Ridge