Thanks again!

Posted by: BrooklynGreene at November 18, 2009 12:38 AM in response to Walkabout: Part 3, MM - Park Slope and Big Business

I've been displeased with Verizon for years...

Posted by: BrooklynGreene at November 17, 2009 8:48 AM in response to Tuesday Links

No Mme Muffet, haven't sold our house yet...have thought about it but haven't made any real moves. We're bogged down caring for very elderly parents/aunt and it doesn't look like we'll be leaving NYC anytime soon. We'll probably find ourselves selling our house when the market reaches BHO's magical "clearinghouse price". Such is life! :-)

Posted by: BrooklynGreene at November 17, 2009 8:40 AM in response to Extension of Higher Conforming Loan Limits a Boost?

Bxgrl,
What can you do with the likes of pawns like FSRG and the rest of them? Just ignore them.

Posted by: BrooklynGreene at November 16, 2009 6:15 PM in response to Goldstein Offered Less Than What He Paid for Condo

Yes, Virginia, there ARE Hasidic comedians. My great-grandfather was one but that was a long-long-long time ago!

I think the Berkshires get my vote. I have to say that I found the Mountain Dew reference distasteful but very funny despite myself! I'm sure that T-shirt will show up at "The Flea" soon now that you've let it loose.

Posted by: BrooklynGreene at November 16, 2009 3:27 PM in response to Monday Links

Thanks Lucy! I hope you find something (unless you already have...then, congrats!).

And yes, BHO...I know, I know! Sure prices will eventually come down...I assume if we're not hit with a tidal wave or a complete and permanent collapse of the economic system, once prices drop, they'll go up again.

Sure...yes, I now things "should" be hovering around their averages and right now we're supposedly way off the averages...but I still feel comforted that whenever we sell our house, we can buy something in another part of the country and still have something left over. Unless things really, really change and NYC drops below other areas.

Posted by: BrooklynGreene at November 16, 2009 3:23 PM in response to Extension of Higher Conforming Loan Limits a Boost?

Yes, I'll admit, that was some exclamation by our friend Polemicist!

I seem to remember that less than half of the proposed project is the actual railyards. The majority of the surface area is private property and City streets. Where's Mr. Oder when you need him to chime in?

How the state can honestly be moving to the ED stage and offering the Goldstein family a-n-y-t-h-i-n-g at this point is beyond me. I thought that ED wasn't in the cards as yet...am I wrong? And if the Goldsteins don't agree to accept an offer, and if ED is used, what? Will the family be dragged out of their home by the marshal before New Year's so FCR push through that tax-free bonds sale?

Goodness gracious. I don't know any more. It was better in the "old days" when they took property to build highways/BQE and schools...not buildings for private developers to profit from. Sure, when ED was used to build highways, schools, government buildings and public hospitals, lots and lots of contractors would feed at the trough. At this point though, the system has been a bit turned on its head. No?

Posted by: BrooklynGreene at November 16, 2009 3:10 PM in response to Goldstein Offered Less Than What He Paid for Condo

What is the raised ceiling for NYC 2- and 3-family houses...or are they not allowed the higher lending amounts?

When I read the article this weekend, what jumped out at me was that the extension is for Manhattan and certain areas of Northern NJ...is this possibly true???

Anyway, what kind of boost do people think this is/will give to Brownstone Brooklyn's current sale prices? Yes, I know that you can argue the politics and policy issues for hours...but what will this do for the market *now*? Will it "stabilize" things, for a long time, just for a couple of months, or will it make no difference, will it make "the pain" worse later?

Honestly, does someone out there have any real analysis?

Posted by: BrooklynGreene at November 16, 2009 2:52 PM in response to Extension of Higher Conforming Loan Limits a Boost?

I think the plug-in sonic thing we found at a hardware store.

HDL, that sounds awful!

Posted by: BrooklynGreene at November 16, 2009 2:45 PM in response to Animal Living in the Wall

What *is* happening in the Fort Greene real estate market? Enquiring Fort Greene minds want to know!

Posted by: BrooklynGreene at November 16, 2009 12:22 PM in response to Weekday Events

It sounds like a mouse...I'm not sure if it's a huge problem. I certainly wouldn't want chemicals strewn everywhere. Maybe you can try one of those plug-in rodent sound things. The sound is apparently inaudible to humans and does not bother pets but scares off rodents. Who knows. We bought one and have never bothered to plug it in because the mice seemed to move out on their own.

Posted by: BrooklynGreene at November 16, 2009 11:07 AM in response to Animal Living in the Wall

But even if we don't start a bubble bath company and throw events, it sadly seems people will be taking baths no matter what.

Posted by: BrooklynGreene at November 12, 2009 3:30 PM in response to House of the Day: 540 4th Street

"Bubble level"...

This is a throwback to the silly discussions Bxgrl (I think it was) and I had about that huge bathroom with the tub in the middle of it as part of a "master bedroom suite" third floor in a renovated house which sold in Fort Greene...last year was it?

Are we still going dump money into our bubble bath party business idea?

Posted by: BrooklynGreene at November 12, 2009 3:12 PM in response to House of the Day: 540 4th Street

I guess the above comments illuminate some of the reasons why we have problems in our society.

Posted by: BrooklynGreene at November 12, 2009 2:17 PM in response to Thursday Links

Typing "too" fast!!!

I hope everyone has a good day!

Posted by: BrooklynGreene at November 12, 2009 8:47 AM in response to Thursday Links

Sorry, "unfortunate violence". Typing to fast!

Posted by: BrooklynGreene at November 12, 2009 8:44 AM in response to Thursday Links

If the unfortunately violence really *can* be linked to that chain restaurant's promotion/lack of crowd control, does that help illustrate one of the hidden costs of the mall and these big chains? From what I've heard, the local police now have to spend a big part of their time covering the mall area. If anything, I certainly hope they have been able to have their budget and employee numbers raised substantially to take on the new burden. It would be the only fair thing for the 88th Precinct staff and the residents who live within the precinct.

Posted by: BrooklynGreene at November 12, 2009 8:44 AM in response to Thursday Links

David,
That's a tasteless comment in light of the situation.

Posted by: BrooklynGreene at November 11, 2009 9:07 AM in response to Two Teens Shot on Fulton in Fort Greene

This is terrific! Wonderful!

Posted by: BrooklynGreene at November 10, 2009 12:40 PM in response to Martha's Brooklyn Show Wrap

These young men died needlessly. My heart goes out to their families.

Posted by: BrooklynGreene at November 9, 2009 8:51 AM in response to Monday Links

Do these huge bonuses bode well for Brownstone Brooklyn?

Posted by: BrooklynGreene at November 9, 2009 8:49 AM in response to Monday Links

As always, thanks Rose!

Posted by: BrooklynGreene at November 5, 2009 3:22 PM in response to Walkabout: Italianates, the Ornamental Imperative

Thanks Tybur and Brooklynite!
It'd be just a gag-gift sort of, but I think she'd get a kick out of the T-shirt...although, since she lives there, she may have alreasy have seen it at the farmers' market.

David,
Did you change jobs recently? It seems you must now be working for this website. You're nearly single-handedly keeping it floating!
:-)

Posted by: BrooklynGreene at November 5, 2009 3:18 PM in response to Thursday Links

That T-shirt is hysterical! Where can I get one. I have a girlfriend who would get a big kick out of it.

Posted by: BrooklynGreene at November 5, 2009 8:35 AM in response to Thursday Links

Good Morning,
No link to an article on the election results? Did people get out and vote yesterday?

Posted by: BrooklynGreene at November 4, 2009 8:36 AM in response to Wednesday Links

When I've participated with "the widget" (isn't there some other term for it?), I've put in the amount I think the property will sell for, not what I would pay for it. I try to put myself in the shoes of a potential buyer in a sense.

I'm glad we have new, happy-to-be-in-Fort-Greene people! Welcome!!! Don't listen to the finks or let them get you down! You've made a great decision! Great location too!

:-)
:-)
:-)

Posted by: BrooklynGreene at November 2, 2009 3:31 PM in response to Widget Falls Way Short on South Oxford

It actually reminds me of a pocketbook I once had. the row of windows even looks like the zipper it had.

Yes, I was rather shocked by the apparently very inappropiate disbursement of $55 million. Was that handed to them in one go or is just a promise? What? Are they on life support and need injections of millions just to keep afloat?

I agree, there often is a LOT of traffic at that intersection. It can already be a mess weekends and certain times of weekdays. How in heck could any more traffic be handled?

Although I've not a huge Gehry fan, I really would have preferred something exciting-looking instead of this rusted post-apocolyptic, sci-fi movie, spaceship docking station (AKA Brown Handbag On Its Side).

Posted by: BrooklynGreene at November 2, 2009 3:26 PM in response to Uncertainty, Skepticism Around Arena Bond Offering

Just a suggestion for the blogwrap later:

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/artwork/new-york-city-map-cut-outs-by-studio-kmo-099766

Posted by: BrooklynGreene at October 28, 2009 8:47 AM in response to Wednesday Links

Jonathan,
I wish your team could avoid linking to the Fort Greene NY Times blog's crime entry just because it's there and it's easy. Doesn't the Brooklyn Paper have a crime blotter that covers all neighborhoods?

In other news, it's a lousy, rainy day. A NYC bad hair day!

Posted by: BrooklynGreene at October 28, 2009 8:38 AM in response to Wednesday Links

Mazel Tov P.o.P. and family!!!

With that kind of house, you can really do up an early 1900's garden!

Then, if you really want to go historical/hysterical, you could get a real icebox and ice deliveries! :-)

Good luck on all the work you have planned! Looking forward to seeing your progress!

Posted by: BrooklynGreene at October 27, 2009 6:44 PM in response to Last Week's Biggest Sales

Sorry. It's kind of late in game/day to bother commenting (no?)...

We found the old style beer cans like we used to have (pre-pulltab cans) but other than that, dust...LOTS and LOTS of dust (gritty, mortary dust...sooty...yucky). Dress accordingly and wear a good mask!

I was always hoping we'd find some lost gold coins or the like. Maybe the contractors' guys did over the years but never told us.

Posted by: BrooklynGreene at October 27, 2009 5:16 PM in response to Creepy Crawls in the Walls

Forgive me if I seem dense, but it a good thing or a bad thing that mixed use building way down Seventh Avenue sold for over a million dollars?

Is this supposed to be considered an incredibly low sale price?

I assume it's all rental so the total income may not be that high.

Posted by: BrooklynGreene at October 27, 2009 8:43 AM in response to Tuesday Links

Oh yes Ditmas! Enoki! I've bought them at the coop but couldn't remember the name.

Tybur, it's rather unseemly...us having our own conversation...but here goes:

Actually, now that we take debit cards (we took EBT cards of course before that), we're kind of up to snuff technology-wise. Look at it this way: members work about 2 1/2 hours per month. The systems have to be simple and rather “elegant” as they say (“elegant solutions”? hahaha…but yes, a lot of thought goes into these kinds of upgrades). The checkout and cashier areas are very easy to do now...touch screens, scanning, etc. You can only expect so much from people when they do a task for a couple of hours once a month.

Regarding skills and socioeconomic status. Look at it as opportunities to learn NEW skills, work differently with people than, maybe, you might need to do in your day-to-day job...this is a good thing, learning differently kinds of people skills.

There is no undetermined "discount". Prices are based on a mark-up from wholesale. If the wholesale price changes, the shelf price changes. I think this is a wonderful control on people eating foods out of season. There is a lot of research in eating in-season which I won't/can't go into here. But, for example, it's not bad when gorgeous organic tomatoes are 59-cents per pound...apples are cheaper than at a farmers' market, etc. Note that most supermarkets keep prices as flat as possible during the year so you end up paying prices that are artificially high all year long, encourage a race to the bottom scenario (that also has a huge carbon footprint) when out-of-season foods are shipped from abroad (middlemen looking for the lowest price possible), and don't support regional growers and food inter- and independence. When retail prices fluctuate noticeably during the year, people self-manage their choices and purchasing patterns.

It’s also intensely interesting to someone like me to see when prices shift and what those shifts are.

The coop IS dynamic. There have been big changes over the years and there has been an incredible adjustment the last years when membership ballooned. People are working hard on figuring out options and strategies.

Regarding kosher food: understand that the people buying it are often the people or know the people who are packing it. This is a great thing for many who rely on store bought kosher food. Also, the only kosher chicken (and chicken liver) available is organic'n'humane at the coop.

There are basic guidelines for squads. I wouldn't say it's a mess. Basically, the guideline rules are “you miss a shift and you have to do two make up slots”. Very few squads deviate from this. Make ups are easy: walk in for a shift, say "Hi, I'm here to do a make up," fill in doing your regular job, or learn a new one, or be a "walker" and bring people to their cars or homes.

By the way, did I ever mention the coop DOES do shopping and delivery for homebound members? Someone's comment above struck me.

Tybur, to be honest, go online to the website and sign up for an orientation. It sounds like you might as well join and do it for while to see what you think. I'd love to hear your report in 6 months.

:-)

Posted by: BrooklynGreene at October 26, 2009 6:44 PM in response to NYT: Food Co-op Exile's Story Demands 2,000 Words

Sorry Tybur...Yes, people's skills could be used more appropriately...maybe...but still, with just 2 1/2 hours once a month (actually 13x per year), I'm not sure what kind of skilled tasks could/need to be assigned. People can sometimes barely remember how to work the register when they only work once a month. The first couple of months for a newbie and you have to retrain them each time.

Granted, there are people (some who aren't even required to work) who come in extra time and do specific tasks they like, some of which take certain skills/knowledge sets.

And, as I mentioned what we call "future time off" people who may work on one project can quickly fulfill their yearly work requirement. They may work on things that are more related to their jobs/skills (working on the newspaper for example).

Tara,
Executive Summary:
A) Coop members generally like the coop and see where things might be improved or changed. Some of them are acutely aware how non-members might be put off by the coop if they come for a tour on a busy day.
B) Non-coop members mouth off a lot and make cutesy comments.
C) After years hearing about the coop, non-members join and are hooked.

Posted by: BrooklynGreene at October 26, 2009 5:53 PM in response to NYT: Food Co-op Exile's Story Demands 2,000 Words

Yes, Heather, what many of us want to know...why the coop cannot have multiple locations. I do know the idea has been studied. The coop cannot really expand in its current locations since the firehouse is on one side and the schoolyard on the other.

In the past, members were pusing for a branch on our side of the tracks (Fort Greene). It was shot down by a couple of people who had pull and wanted to go another route. It may have been the best way to go at the time. I won't comment.

What the coop IS doing now, please note, is lending a lot of support to the GreenHill Coop.

Dave, I think there are fresh, organic: crimini, shitake, portabello, champignon de Paris, oyster, those thin white stringy ones (Japanese), lobster, chaterelle, another one like oyster but not as floppy...and there are a lot of dried mushrooms, I think dried morels, etc.

For better or for worse, the coop has gone gourmet to some extend over the years. I don't mind it but I think it is probably a little off-putting to those on tight budgets. Then again, people who have tight food budgets, can actually afford what is elsewhere often way-overpriced health food and gourmet item.

Posted by: BrooklynGreene at October 26, 2009 5:37 PM in response to NYT: Food Co-op Exile's Story Demands 2,000 Words

Sorry Carroll G.,
I wasn't reading for nuance considering there was so much nonsense commenting to wade through contributed by non-coop members. I kind of skimmed.

And Dave, I think you might enjoy the coop. There may be some "added value" you could get into.

Posted by: BrooklynGreene at October 26, 2009 4:23 PM in response to NYT: Food Co-op Exile's Story Demands 2,000 Words

Sorry, I meant "antithetical to the coop's principles"...oops.

Look, okay, okay, there has been a lot of talk about reducing work time/frequency. More to come on that.

But to be frank, sometimes we don't have ENOUGH people working our shift. What with no-shows, we sometimes really have to pull together to get the place moving. Sure, indeed, there are people who stand around (mostly younger members)"pretending" to work...reminding me teenagers who are being forced to do chores but knowing they can zoom out soon anyway). But on our shift there is very little lolly-gagging. We're busy-busy-busy and, yes, I do find myself pulling Mom-rank and smilingly find tasks for people doing makeup shifts who appear to be drifting...

Working my squad I have to say I've learned to say "no" with a smile. Not something we're necessarily taught in childhood.

Posted by: BrooklynGreene at October 26, 2009 4:19 PM in response to NYT: Food Co-op Exile's Story Demands 2,000 Words

Oh, and by the way, although my long posts tend to be thread extinguishers, I have to add:

***No, paying more money yearly so you don't have to work is antithetical to the coop's principals...

***...as is paying someone minimum wage to do your hours...that's just gross and misses the point. [Also, understand someone can work your hours for you, but that person needs to be a member as well.]

***Each "squad" sets its own make-up rules. Some shifts require a member to make up two shifts for any shift missed. They have to be made up before the next regularly schedule shift (therefore, within 4 weeks). Some shifts only require 1 make-up, especially if the member has made an effort to call one of the squad leaders in advance to let him/her know.

Disclosure: I'm a squad leader and enjoy working with my group...my shift is a diverse group of people from their 20's through their 60's (possibly 70's but who's talkin'?!). We have people who work in the arts, are stay-at-home caregivers, teachers, small business owners, lawyers, RNs and an MD, people who work in finance, students, persons seeking work, fire and police department and other City employees, performers, musicians.

Posted by: BrooklynGreene at October 26, 2009 4:05 PM in response to NYT: Food Co-op Exile's Story Demands 2,000 Words

WOW!!! I had no inkling that rather winding article would lead to such wordy comments. I couldn't even get through them all and I'm kind of reluctant to add anything.

But since not too many of the posters appear are coop members here goes (by the way, Hi Babs!):

***You join the coop agreeing to work a shift and stick to it. You can fulfill hours under a couple of different scheme that are not cyclic work cycles--the main one helps freelancers and such who can do a project (say, graphic design, research, editing) over a few days and manage to fulfill their yearly requirements.

***There are exceptions to the work requirement. The coop is very liberal with new baby/adoption (caregivers get a long hiatus from work requirements); certain disabilities, illness/recovery, age can reduce/eliminate your required time; you can now "retire" from the work requirement (age+years of membership equal a certain number). You can go on leave and not work as well.

***The coop is founded on the timebank kind of idea in that everyone's time is equal one to the other. So, maybe you're a judge and you cashier. Maybe your salary's well into the 6-figure range and you do checkout; maybe you receive food stamp benefits and you're a squad leader; maybe you live off a trust fund and do maintenance. All-in-all, it's the most eclectic, friendly community where you can talk to anyone...a very unusual place in, yes eclectic, but fractured Brooklyn.

***Anyone can join. Just sign up for the twice weekly orientations. Because the membership has seen such incredible growth the last couple of years, you can no longer "walk in" to an orientation but must sign up and be scheduled for one. Once you've had orientation, you can shop immediately. BTW, people live far afield and become or move and remain members (The Bronx, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, NJ, PA, CT).

***I've seen kids and teenagers whose parents/caregivers are members who grow up with a great sense of fairness, awareness of the food they eat, managing responsibility, etc.

***The coop is the only food-shopping I know of in NYC where you have excellent childcare. If you work your shift or shop during the childcare hours, you can drop off your kid. For all of those new parents out there...WOW! Sure, IKEA has childcare *and* they have that bad-food little shopping area, but I won't count them. I wonder if people drop their kid at IKEA and manage to run to Fairway...

***Coop member/employees are well-paid, have good benefits and health insurance. It is beyond competitive. There is nothing comparable, even in California where grocery store workers have a union.

***From what I remember, the coop has the highest product turnover in Brooklyn.

***The coop has the freshest, organic local produce that I know of...and cheap? Can we talk?! The coop strives to source food and products from equitable employers, fair trade labels, coop producers, local farms, humane animal husbandry;

***The coop has an active Kosher committee that does an excellent job. There is also a committee working on food safety/researching GMOs.

***The coop hosts community learning events, health and healing seminars, films showings, clothing and household item exchanges/drives, food collection for a local soup kitchen (both daily with fresh food from the coop's stock and periodically with food drives asking mbrs to donate non-perishables).

***The coop is one of the sponsor organizations of the Brooklyn Food Conference.

***The coop hosts fun events at local venues.

And if you've made it this far, from my observation the coop is an active meeting place for young people interested in what young people are usually interested in! :-)

Sure. There are lines, but certainly not all the time. I kind of enjoy a not-too-long line because you end up chatting with people. You know all those interesting vegetables and fruits that you have no idea how to cook/eat. Well, at the coop, just ask anyone around and you'll likely get a friendly receipt or two!

So, come, try, enjoy. And if it's not for you, so be it.

Posted by: BrooklynGreene at October 26, 2009 3:27 PM in response to NYT: Food Co-op Exile's Story Demands 2,000 Words

I don't know why I clicked on this topic...I guess because it's Fort Greene so I have to read everything Fort Greene.

I'm interested how the ban on smoking in the workplace which ultimately, I think I remember, was used to push smoking out of bars (so the employees did not have to work in a workplace filled with smoke)...I'm wondering how it works for these cigar bars.

I personally find cigar smoke/residue to be a little nauseating. I guess you have to be smoking a cigar to be oblivious to the smell.

The smoke itself does not bother me as much as that of cigarettes (burning paper, chemicals). I would imagine cigars are more natural.

In the end, the smell of people, their clothes and hair fumigated with cigarette and cigar smoke is truly nauseating. But I guess if you're addicted that's how it goes.

Posted by: BrooklynGreene at October 23, 2009 3:23 PM in response to Puff, Puff! Cigar Bar for Fort Greene

I don't know why I clicked on this topic...I guess because it's Fort Greene so I have to read everything Fort Greene.

I'm interested how the ban on smoking in the workplace which ultimately, I think I remember, was used to push smoking out of bars (so the employees did not have to work in a workplace filled with smoke)...I'm wondering how it works for these cigar bars.

I personally find cigar smoke/residue to be a little nauseating. I guess you have to be smoking a cigar to be oblivious to the smell.

The smoke itself does not bother me as much as that of cigarettes (buring paper, chemicals). I would imagine cigars are more natural.

In the end, the smell of people, their clothes and hair fumigated with cigarette and cigar smoke is truly nauseating. But I guess if you're addicted that's how it goes.

Posted by: BrooklynGreene at October 23, 2009 3:23 PM in response to Puff, Puff! Cigar Bar for Fort Greene

I happen to think this is a cute apartment. Interesting layout although I agree with those who don't love the idea of entering through a narrow kitchen. But still that wouldn't be the end of the world...actually entering through a kitchen can be very homey. Good walk-through closet to the bathroom.

Kids, this is not "half of a floor of brownstone". The building has a very deep extension so this apartment equates more to the space of a floor-through apartment in a small rowhouse. It's certainly NOT a studio in my opinion. It has a lot of windows on two sides and it looks like another one on a third side.

I'm sure it will sell at the right price. It's not my ideal one-bedroom apartment, and although, for money, it could be staged with expensive furniture to make is show well, someone will decide this is the apartment for him/her/them.

Posted by: BrooklynGreene at October 22, 2009 7:52 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 214 Carlton Avenue, #2

So if you're priced out of Riverdale, you're "POOR"?

Posted by: BrooklynGreene at October 22, 2009 5:04 PM in response to House of the Day: 177 Rugby Road

I agree, the fireplace is kind of ugly.

Posted by: BrooklynGreene at October 22, 2009 3:57 PM in response to House of the Day: 177 Rugby Road

I haven't read the comments thus far...so it's probably not fair for me to post my own...but, frankly, cleaning 55 windows sounds like a nightmare. Fifty-five windows?! Can you imagine if they're still single glazing? The cost to replace them...and to do it properly??? The heat you lose through all that glass???

Anyway, the price is too high. The interior needs a lot of updating and the house is not that special in my opinion. Goodness gracious...hhh...yes it's nice, but it needs a bit of an overhaul to make it really nice. And for "that money"...?

Oh, just took a second look the above photo. It looks like ugly-ish replacement windows were installed in the house's facade. I'm sure the house had 6-over-6 windows when it was built since it's Colonial Revival.

And, having glanced at some of the above comments: the people moving from Park Slope (and yes, there are a lot), seem to me to be renters who cannot afford to buy a brownstone/rowhouse in Park Slope so they look farther afield. For the asking price on this house, you might be able to settle in Park Slope and be decently "situated" (as my grandfather used to say).

Posted by: BrooklynGreene at October 22, 2009 3:47 PM in response to House of the Day: 177 Rugby Road

If they're not modifying the floor plans as stated above, it is unlikely they are changing a small one-family into a 2-family.

The renovation should not impact your real estate taxes that I know of.

Since it is a one family, it didn't need to have sprinklers installed in the 50s-60s which means the house probabaly never had any plans filed.

You'll need a building permit (and of course, if you're within the landmarked district, you'll first have to submit what sounds will be a "no effect" request before applying for the building permit). All this probably needs an architect. I don't think you would want an stand-alone expiditing company but some people go that route...there are also there are some very good interiors people who aren't licensed architects but can oversee the work and use an expeditor/architect to approve/stamp the drawings.

Ultimately, if you're doing extensive renovation, I guess going the more expensive route it the best bet. I'm not sure though.

Ed, can they have contractors come in to do electrical work or install kitchen cabinets, hang doors, replaster or install sheetrock, change bathroom fixtures, etc., without a building permit? I assume not. I know some of these things, like the electrical, are more serious, that one might not need a permit to do drywall...

To what extent does "construction" need a permit? You can paint w/o one, I assume replace kitchen cabinets...change a light switch...

But do you need a permit when the chimney guys come to reline a flue? Do the chimney guys get that permit themselves?

What about having a new water main installed or a updating a hot water heating system (without moving radiators)? Do those things need an overriding building permit or do the contractors/plumbers get the necessary paperwork done?

Posted by: BrooklynGreene at October 22, 2009 3:35 PM in response to Certificate of Occupancy

Homey,
I'm curious, there are two houses listed above on 1st Street. Which one are you referring to? Was it the brownstone that needed all the work or the 4-family house?

Posted by: BrooklynGreene at October 20, 2009 2:31 PM in response to Last Week's Biggest Sales

Yes, I too was a little taken aback by BHV's "deciminated". That's a little nutsy.

I'm not sure I would love all those apartment dwellers in the building to the right staring down on me in my garden...I'd rather have a building on both sides sharing party walls because heating a house exposed on one long side really adds up.

Posted by: BrooklynGreene at October 20, 2009 1:01 PM in response to Last Week's Biggest Sales

Thank goodness the rain held off. Did the vendors show up? We weren't able to visit the market this weekend. When does the flea market go to? Thanksgiving or just before Christmas?

Posted by: BrooklynGreene at October 19, 2009 12:10 AM in response to Closing Bell: Rain, Rain, Go Away