June 30, 2009

Development Watch: 499 Vanderbilt Avenue

The developer of 499 Vanderbilt Avenue between Fulton and Atlantic paid $1,000,000 for the 2,750-square-foot lot in early 2008. Only recently, though, has he gotten into high gear on the project. Based on the DOB application, this is going to be a 13-unit, six-story residential building with a total of about 16,000 square feet of space. GMAP P*Shark DOB

June 29, 2009

Closing Bell: Obama Pitching Myrtle Deli

Clinton Hill blog has a photo of the signage going up for the new Obama deli on Myrtle Avenue between Clinton and Vanderbilt Avenues. Can they really use the President's likeness to pitch their business?

493 Myrtle Demo Update

Here's how things looked over the weekend at 493 Myrtle Avenue.
493 Myrtle Demolition Update 6/25 [Brownstoner] GMAP
No Hard Answers Yet on Myrtle Building Collapse [Brownstoner]
Four-Story Building on Myrtle Collapses [Brownstoner]
493 Myrtle, Before the Fall [Brownstoner]

June 25, 2009

493 Myrtle Demolition Update

Here's what the scene was like at 493 Myrtle Avenue this morning at 10 o'clock.
No Hard Answers Yet on Myrtle Building Collapse [Brownstoner]
Four-Story Building on Myrtle Collapses [Brownstoner] GMAP
493 Myrtle, Before the Fall [Brownstoner]

June 23, 2009

No Hard Answers Yet on Myrtle Building Collapse

As the 48-hour mark approaches at 493 Myrtle Avenue, there is still no definitive cause of the four-story building's collapse. At this point, the likely cause still seems to be some combination of existing structural problems related to a crack in the eastern facade of the building compounded by weeks of heavy rains. "On May 1, there was no threat of a collapse," said Buildings Commis sioner Robert LiMandri. "What changed since then? The rain and the work being done." DOB is still examining the permitting and work history and looking into whether the contractor, M & R Construction, bears any of the blame. When we stopped by the site earlier this morning, the dismantling of the neighboring building at 491 Myrtle Avenue was well underway. The most poignant detail was the children's bunk bed visible on the top floor.
Recent Repairs Are Focus in Inquiry Into Building Collapse [NY Times]
Scaffolf, Rain Eyed in B'klyn Collapse [NY Post]
Over a Dozen Tenants Left Homeless [NY Daily News]

June 22, 2009

493 Myrtle, Before the Fall

A reader just sent in this photo of 493 Myrtle Avenue that she took on June 10, just 11 days before it collapsed.
Four-Story Building on Myrtle Collapses [Brownstoner] GMAP

Four-Story Building on Myrtle Collapses

The four-story, white-brick building at 493 Myrtle Avenue that housed the Vesper bar on the ground floor and apartments on the upper floors collapsed to the ground yesterday afternoon at around 2 p.m. According to The Local, which has a detailed account of the incident, 14 people lived in the building but none of them were seriously injured; a girl who lived next door had to be rescued by the Fire Department. The Times also reported that the Department of Buildings issued vacate orders for six buildings on the block while officials evaluate their structural condition. An official cause has not been determined, but the building had received a violation in May for a large visible crack in its eastern wall; the owner blames facade work at the building next door. In an interview on Clinton Hill Blog, an eyewitness describes the collapse as "kinda gradual" and says that the Fire Department was already on hand before the entire building was reduced to rubble. There's a great photo set here. Update: We've posted a photo of the building pre-collapse in this post. Another Update: Tish James' blog is trying to raise money for a girl who lived at 491 Myrtle and now needs clothes for her graduation on Thursday.
Building Collapse on Myrtle [NYT/Local] GMAP
4-Story Brooklyn Building Under Repair Collapses [NY Times]
Apartment Building Crashes Down [NY Post]
Building Collapse in Ft. Greene, Brooklyn, Injures 4 [NY Daily News]
Eyewitness Account of the Collapse [Clinton Hill Blog]
Photo by Geralyn Shukwit

June 16, 2009

Development Watch: 28 Quincy Gets Glassy

Since we last checked in a couple of months ago, the Stop Work Order was lifted at 28 Quincy Street and the two-family project got some windows. It's looking like it could be a nice place.
Development Watch: 28 Quincy Street [Brownstoner] GMAP P*Shark DOB
A Double Dose of SWO for Quincy Street [Brownstoner]

House of the Day: 244 Hall Street

After unsuccessfully trying to sell these two carriage houses on Hall Street at the rear of the mansion at 275 Washington Street back in 2007 for a combined $2,600,000, the developer went back and renovated each of them and recently put them back on the market separately for $810,000 (#246) and $1,150,000 (#244). From what we hear, they've already attracted some offers. What do you think the more expensive one is worth?
244 Hall Street [Brooklyn Bridge Realty] GMAP P*Shark
House of the Day: 244 Hall Street [Brownstoner]

June 12, 2009

Competition for Choice on Grand Avenue?

Ever since the building at the corner of Grand Avenue and Clifton Place changed hands more than four years ago and the bodega was pushed out, there's been great speculation about what sort of tenant would eventually show up in the storefront; the sense of mystery was enhanced by the large graphic portraits in the windows. Among the possibilities we've heard tossed around over the years have been a brick oven pizza place, a tea shop and a bookstore. Unfortunately there's no way to properly vent a stove in the space, so that eliminates most food-related pursuits. Clinton Hill Blog adds the latest, and perhaps the last, chapter to the saga: While on a jog this week she popped her head in and asked the electricians what the space would be and they told her a coffee shop. Seems a little odd given that Choice is just down the block but we shall see. According to another source, the space is supposed to be ready by the end of the month.

CB2 Recap: Navy Green, 470 Vanderbilt Green-lighted

Our Community Board 2 correspondent reports back on Wednesday night's general meeting; the Local also has extensive coverage of the meeting.

A Public hearing about Navy Green (previously reported) preceded the general meeting with a presentation by the developer. No one spoke in opposition but one person questioned the decision to include no on site parking. A second public hearing was held concerning 470 Vanderbilt Avenue’s rezoning (also previously reported) — the developer made a presentation (in which he mentioned that he was indeed still in discussions with Whole Foods) and there were no other speakers. The Public hearings were closed and the meeting began. Navy Green (at left) was approved as requested unanimously with one abstention. A second vote passed 23-12 requesting that some onsite parking be incorporated. 470 Vanderbilt (at right) was approved unanimously with no abstentions.

Eight new Board members were introduced. They are Kay Casanova, Thomas Conoscenti, Michael Epstein, Terrance Know, Kenn Lowy, Jesse Strauss Alejandro, Varela and Siobhan Watson. Two of eight have college degrees in City Planning. Rob Perris gave a shout out to Brownstoner.com in his presentation on the Community Board's new web site — to be activated shortly. Rob was mentioned in a comment on the post about the Community Board rally at City Hall.

June 11, 2009

Development Watch: 324 Grand Avenue

The heinous bricks that we spotted back in April at 324 Grand Avenue in Clinton Hill have spread like the plague as the four-story building has risen. At the end of the day, there will be 29 units. Presumably they will be rentals like the building from the same developer across the street.
Heinous Bricks Confirmed at 324 Grand Avenue [Brownstoner]
Development Watch: 324-328 Grand Avenue [Brownstoner]
324 Grand Avenue Status Check [Brownstoner] GMAP
SWO for 324 Grand Avenue [Brownstoner] P*Shark DOB
Development Watch: 328 Grand Avenue [Brownstoner]
328 Grand: Here Today, Gone Tomorrow [Brownstoner]
Razing 328 Grand: What a Waste [Brownstoner]

Streetlevel: Tish James Campaign HQ Opens on Fulton

Council Member James has put a lot of effort into trying to revitalize Fulton Street so it made sense when she decided to set up her campaign headquarters between Grand and Downing; the new office opened this past weekend. Now she'll also have to kick in for the BID fees that some of her neighbors are complaining about! GMAP

June 10, 2009

Streetlevel: Fresh Fanatic Coming to Wallabout

Via a tipster, news of a new storefront opening slated for 80 Washington Avenue in Wallabout. About all we know about it is based on the name on the sign—Fresh Fanatic—so we're guessing cafe or organic grocery. Oddly, this is just two doors down from the space on the corner that's rumored to be a market as well. Anyone know details? GMAP

June 4, 2009

Closing Bell: Hillstock, Brooklyn DIY Music Festival

Who needs Woodstock when you have Hillstock? Hillstock, a Brooklyn DIY music festival, is happening this weekend in Clinton Hill and Prospect Heights. Billed as a three-day event with 40 bands (mainly from Brooklyn) will only cost you $15 (or $7 for each day). Friday's events are on a rooftop at 967 Bergen Street; Saturday's events are at a backyard bbq at 106 Emerson Place; then quiet down with Sunday's events on a rooftop at 402 Park Avenue. The Local has the full rundown plus an interview with the organizers.

Car Crash at Waverly and Willoughby

On the heels of yesterday's post about Berkeley Place residents who don't want speedbumps on their block comes this photo from a reader who lives in the Clinton Hill Co-ops and witnessed the aftermath of a car accident at the corner of Waverly Place and Willoughby Avenue, a location, he points out, that's seen its fair share of accidents in its day. "This happens all the time - cars roar down Waverly Avenue from Myrtle Avenue and blow the stop sign at Willoughby and 'wham,'" he writes. "Why can't we get some of the speed bumps like they just installed on Berkley Place in Park Slope?" For what it's worth, we've got them on Grand Avenue and people still speed down the street.

June 2, 2009

Co-op of the Day: 328 Clinton Avenue, #3

This two-bedroom, two-bathroom duplex co-op at 328 Clinton Avenue in Clinton Hill has a very nice vibe to it—lots of original detail and the kind of spacious vibe you'd expect from a Victorian brownstone. (We're guessing the square footage comes in at around 1,300.) It's currently set up for family living right now but we're thinking this would make a pretty sweet pad for a childless household if you could just open up that lower level into one giant living/dining space. The maintenance is a reasonable $855 per month and the asking price is $860,000. Think that's achievable in this market?
328 Clinton Avenue, #3 [Brown Harris Stevens] GMAP P*Shark

June 1, 2009

Fulton BID Opponents Threaten Not to Pay

Outvoted by their fellow Fulton Street merchants and landowners, a bunch of business owners, mostly on the Clinton Hill stretch of Fulton Street, are now threatening to withhold tax payments in their effort to fight the already-approved Fulton Street BID. On Thursday, reports the Brooklyn Paper, opponents of the Business Improvement District, delivered a letter with 70 signatures to Council Member Letitia James threatening civil disobedience. “We won’t pay,” the letter read. “This BID [business improvement district] has left us out. We want a new, democratic vote. Otherwise it’s a battle on Fulton Street.” Some merchants claim that the monthly fees imposed by the BID—$80 per month for every 20 feet of street frontage—are too onerous. The Brooklyn Paper, however, suggests another reason: "There’s the fear among some entrepreneurs that it will accelerate gentrification and eventually drive them out of business." But why do the Clinton Hill merchants fail to grasp the benefits of organizing to improve the safety and aesthetic levels of where they do business when their peers both to the east in Bed Stuy and the west in Fort Greene are overwhelmingly on board with the program?
Clearing the Air on the Fulton BID [Brownstoner]
Fulton BID Approved! Buses Returning Soon [Brownstoner]
Fulton BID Gaining Momentum [Brownstoner]

Teen-on-Teen Shooting on Downing Street

We received a tip—which we've since been able to confirm—that there was a double shooting on Saturday night in the schoolyard at PS 56 in Clinton Hill. Evidently there was some kind of gathering (described by one neighbor as "insanely loud") that had a number of teenagers at it and that at about 8:45 p.m. a boy and girl (ages 14 and 15) were shot by another teen who is still at large; neither victim was killed. Unfortunately, there seems to be a incident like this every year around this time. Any other neighbors hear the goings-on or witness the aftermath?

May 28, 2009

Whole Foods Rumor Bites the Dust

whole%20foods%20no.jpg The Local dispels the rumor started by the developer of the 365-unit rental at 470 Vanderbilt Avenue that Whole Foods was under consideration for the site: "'There’s “nothing in the works here right now,' said Mara Engel Wedeck, contact for the Northeast region for the behemoth healthy foods chain." Oh well.

May 27, 2009

Brooklyn Food & Drink Round-Up

3 Closings...
We noticed that Star of India at 232 5th Avenue (near President Street) in Park Slope has been completely cleared out and closed up for the past couple of weeks. There's no note in the window, so we're not sure if they're closed for renovations or just closed for good. Could it be that the competition from Baluchi's on 310 5th Avenue (between 2nd & 3rd Streets) drove them out? Meanwhile, The Brooklyn Paper mourns the loss of Black Betty in Williamsburg, and ClintonHillBlog notices that Fish and Crustaceans on Fulton has shut down.

...and 5 Openings
We're into the whimsical name of the new Prospect Heights coffee shop, Sit & Wonder, which is serving one-buck cups of Stumptown Coffee, says Time Out New York. TONY also reports on the ice cream flavors at the new Jacques Torres Ice Cream — "Wicked Chocolate ice cream uses the same Mexican spices as his Wicked Hot Chocolate" — and says that the Greene Ice Cream at General Greene will be serving flavors such as Salted Hazelnut Gianduja and Coffee Road. The New York Times reports that Enoteca on Court (on Court and Union in Carroll Gardens) is officially open, and so is Open Book Cafe by Mambo, an outdoor cafe at the central branch of the Brooklyn Public Library, serving lobster sliders and mango iced tea.

After the jump: Pickled pig's tongue (and other non-pizza goodies) at Roberta's, a Cuban supper club at Dressler, and a Williamsburg bar crawl...

Continue reading "Brooklyn Food & Drink Round-Up"

May 22, 2009

Development Watch: 315 Vanderbilt Avenue

A reader tipped us off to the fact that netting has gone up at the former Head Start center at 315 Vanderbilt Avenue which was purchased last August for $3 million. When we checked the DOB permits, we were interested to see that an application had been filed to convert the building to a one-family home.
Vanderbilt Union HQ In Contract [Brownstoner] GMAP
Former Union HQ on the Block [Brownstoner] P*Shark

CB2 Land Use Committee Hearing Recap

Another report from one of our citizen bloggers...
As part of Community Board 2's Land Use Committee meeting on Wednesday night, there was a public hearing on the special permit extension for the gasoline station at 838-846 Fulton Street also known as 489-93 Vanderbilt Avenue. This is a renewal of an extent special permit until 2017. The station, which been there since at least 1950, has service bays and new gas pumps. The representative of the owner made a presentation. No one spoke against it and the community board has not had any complaints about it in at least 5 years. After the public hearing was closed, a motion was passed, unanimously, to recommend approval of the extension.

Two presentations followed. The first was on Navy Green- Wallabout Bay (pictured at right). This is a 455 unit development- 223 rentals, 102 co-ops or Condo, 23 4-story 2-family townhomes and 95 supportive housing units. It’s a development on City-owned property north of the BQE. The developers include Dunn Development Co, L and M Developers LLC, Pratt Area Community Council (for the supportive housing) and BCHS Inc. It will be built in three stages with the co-ops/condos and town homes dependent on the housing market at the time. 22% of the rentals will be at 40% of AMI, 40% at 60% of AMI, 6% at 80% of Ami, 16% at 100% of AMI and the balance (16%) market rate. There will be no on-site parking as the EAS (environmental assessment statement) found it unnecessary. This exception requires a zoning override. The development will provide onsite bicycle parking.

Navy Green will have two eight-story buildings on one end at two of its corners adjoining a lot across the lot that is privately owned. There will be two 12 story on the other ends corners on the end of the block. Between the eight- and twelve-story buildings there will be on each of the side streets the 23 4-story townhomes. A central green space will open to all residents but not publicly accessible. The supportive housing will contain 95 supportive housing studio apartments. 57 for the formerly homeless and the balance for people making no more than 40% of AMI. There will be social services on site 24 hours a day seven days a week.

The second new development up for discussion was 470 Vanderbilt Avenue (pictured at top). This is a request for a rezoning of a block on Vanderbilt Avenue at Atlantic Avenue and Vanderbilt. This is a 365-unit rental development. To be eligible for the inclusionary zoning bonus at least 20% of the units must be affordable. The developer is using 80% of AMI as the affordability measure; 24% of the units are scheduled to be affordable. The developer had originally proposed a higher number of affordable housing but in consultation with Council member James who asked that more two-bedroom apartments be made available (as opposed to one-bedroom or studios), the affordable housing component contains 29 two bed room apartments in the 85 set aside. The space set aside for the affordable housing remains the same. The developer also needs a variance as to the street wall (to accommodate his design and not force him to build up to the street wall) and a courtyard variance to accommodate the design (with a larger courtyard than required). There will be a two-level underground garage as of right accommodating 320 cars. The developer is looking for a supermarket for the site and announced that Whole Foods is under consideration for the site.

Note: these two presentations were both made prior to City Planning certifying the development for the City’s ULURP (Uniform Land Use Review Procedure). It is anticipated that these two will both be certified shortly and since the Board must decide these within a certain number of days-and the committee will not be meeting again for the summer, the Chair requested that there be motions made concerning both developments in concept.

The Committee voted to approve in Concept Navy Green unanimously with one abstention and 470 Vanderbilt unanimously with no abstentions.

Below, CB2 considers two Landmarks applications...

Continue reading "CB2 Land Use Committee Hearing Recap"

May 21, 2009

Development Watch: 175 Vanderbilt Avenue

The six-story building at 175 Vanderbilt Avenue in Clinton Hill topped out a while ago but we have yet to see what kind of materials will be used on the exterior. What do you think they'll go with: Glossy or matte?
Development Watch: 175 Vanderbilt Avenue Revisited [Brownstoner]
Development Watch: 175 Vanderbilt Avenue [Brownstoner] GMAP P*Shark DOB

Condo of the Day: 555 Washington Avenue, #1A

The apartments at 555 Washington Avenue are tough to make up one's mind about: On the one hand, the former seminary is beautiful to look at from the outside and some of the rooms reflect its stateliness; on the other hand, some of the rooms are so oddly-configured it's hard to imagine putting up with them. Such is the case with this ground-floor duplex. The big arched windows and high ceilings of the living room and the private terrace say "buy me!" but the kitchen feels like it belongs on a sailboat. Some of that oddness is built into the price of $795,000, which is pretty decent on paper for the 1,595 square feet of indoor space plus private patio. Monthly common charges of $1,092 are also pretty reasonable. What do you think?
555 Washington Avenue, #1A [Corcoran] GMAP P*Shark