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Author's Posts
July 2, 2009
Closing Bell: Flea on the Fourth (and the Fifth!)
At this point, hot dogs are almost as American as apple pie (even though we didnt exactly invent them.) Tweak tradition a little this 4th of July and come chow down on one of Asia Dog's dogs at The Flea in Fort Greene. If you want to get a closer look at what your in for, check out this post on the Flea Blog. Meanwhile, on Sunday, the Red Hook Lobster Pound returns to The Flea under the Brooklyn Bridge with a more efficient prep process sure to move the line along at a faster clip; the Green Pirate juice truck will also make its Flea debut on Sunday. As always, both spots will be packed with sellers of the usual assortment of vintage, antiques, jewely, t-shirts and more. Kaboom! The Brooklyn Flea is held on Saturdays from 10 to 5 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 from 11-6 in Dumbo underneath the Brooklyn Bridge at the corner of Water and New Dock Street.
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House of the Day: 664 Westminster Road
This three-story Victorian House at 664 Westminster Road in Ditmas Park was an Open House Pick back in early May when it hit the market asking $995,000; the price was reduced to $939,000 at the end of May and then again to its current price of $895,000 at the beginning of June. The house clearly has a lot of charm so that means it should only be a matter of finding the right price. What do you think?
664 Westminster Road [Brooklyn Properties] GMAP P*Shark
Co-op of the Day: 201 Clinton Avenue, #15E
The Clinton Hill Co-ops are a familiar topic around here--not fancy but solid with nice layouts as views, as a rule. This high-floor two-bedroom is no exception. It looks to be in good shape though we're having a hard time figuring out what the deal is with the floors. Wall to wall linoleum? We can't see a sliver of wood anywhere. The asking price of $449,000 is definitely in the right ballpark. There's even another apartment next door being sold by the sponsor listed for $475,000.
201 Clinton Avenue, #15E [All Points RE] GMAP P*Shark
Inside Third & Bond: Week 90
This week, the Hudson team comes through on a promise...
Since we imagine you are busy packing your beach bags and counting your illegal firecrackers, we’re keeping this week’s posting short...Above is evidence of our recent Brownstoner tour winners at Third + Bond. From left to right: David Kramer (aka David from Third and Bond), cmu, Alison Novak (aka Alison), shchune, and huntgrunt. (Thomas and Benson are touring separately.) Our guests had diverse backgrounds: computers/green building consulting, residential brokerage, and journalism, which made their great questions all the more interesting. We look forward to having them back when the models are open so they can see the final product.
The tour consisted of walking the three-bedroom garden duplex and two-bedroom floor-through that are to be our model sales units come autumn, as well as a studio and one-bedroom penthouse duplex. We took a look at the bathroom that cmu had advised us (during design) to move from next to the kitchen to next to the first floor bedroom, and the washer/dryer that huntgrunt had suggested we move away from the master bedroom. We debated the south views versus the north views. We talked about dog policies and pricing the terraces. Walking around with floor plans and looking at bare studs can be a challenging exercise in abstract visualization, but everyone took an active interest. We had fun and hope the tourists did as well.
Coming soon: keep your eye on our sidewalk shed...
Inside Third & Bond: Weeks 1-89 [Brownstoner]
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.
Washington Street Parking Lot No More
As of yesterday, there's a lot less parking available in Dumbo. The lot on Washington Street between Prospect and York that's been used for paid parking for the last several years closed on June 30 (as did the lot on the other side of the bridge earlier this year). The reason? DOT will be using it for its impending four-year overhaul of the Brooklyn Bridge.
A Mini-Mall for Bushwick?
Picking up on earlier posts on Bushwick BK and Racked, The Brooklyn Paper asks the question, Is Bushwick ready for a mini-mall? The mini-mall in question is a 20-unit warren of stores being carved out of the ground floor of a former pillow factory at 1087 Flushing Avenue at Thames Street. The building's owner has been renting out the 24 upstairs lofts for four years, but felt the time had come for retail: “The area still is a gamble,” Israel Hirsch, vice president of developer Bushburg Properties, told The Brooklyn Paper. “But we put a lot of money into the space, as well as a lot of time, effort and aggravation. Hopefully it will be worth it.” Time will tell. So far about a third of the spaces have been rented for around $1,500 a pop.
Is Bushwick Ready for a Mini-Mall? [Brooklyn Paper]
Can The Loom Spin a New Scene in Bushwick? [Bushwick BK]
Video of Bushwick Mall So Bad It's Almost Ironic [Racked]
Photo by Aaron Short
The City Pushes Its Plan for Gowanus Canal Clean-Up
The city yesterday was pushing its plan for cleaning up the Gowanus Canal, a route it says would provide the same results as if the E.P.A. took it on as a Superfund project but in much less time. “This isn’t a ‘trust us’ scenario,” said Cas Holloway, chief of staff to Deputy Mayor Ed Skyler. “The goal is to have a Superfund-quality cleanup faster than the Superfund.” The city says it can get the job done in less than a decade, whereas it says the E.P.A. could take as least twice as long (and potentially longer depending on the amount of legal wrangling). Time is particularly important to the city because of the plans that are on the books for two large mixed-use developments along the shores of the canal. The E.P.A., which is accepting public comments on the canal's Superfund candidacy, questions whether the the city would be able to secure the federal funds it would need for its plan.
City Proposes New Plan for Gowanus Canal Cleanup
Gowanus Superfund Debate: Both Sides Now [Brownstoner]
Conflict over Gowanus Canal Superfund Status [Brownstoner]
Photo by wallyg
Council Members Push for More Time on Coney Plan
Yesterday's City Council Land Use Committee Hearing and the Bloomberg administration's plans for Coney Island didn't go as well as the city would have liked, reports the Brooklyn Eagle. A number of Council Members, including Recchia, Avella and Yassky, argued for a delay in the ULURP process, suggesting at the same time that they were not in favor of the city's plan. Yassky said that he thought the private sector was better equipped to implement the redevelopment of the touristy area. Other areas of concern raised in all-day session were a need for more affordable housing, the potential for the use of eminent domain and whether the city has the financial means to carry through on the plan. The calls for delay and skeptical questioning followed the opening session in which Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, EDC head Seth Pinksy and Brooklyn City Planning honcho Purnima Kapur all gave prepared statements in support of the plan. The Council has only until July 13 to modify the plan and until July 29 to cast a final vote on it.
City’s Coney Island Plan Meets With Council Opposition [Brooklyn Eagle]
Author's Comments
As in it was open to the public or more of a pre-launch friends-and-family situation?
Posted by: brownstoner at June 30, 2009 11:24 AM in response to When's Der Schwarze Kölner Opening?
Our comments about HOTD's are based on the current market--and they are usually skeptical of the seller's ability to achieve the asking price.
Posted by: brownstoner at June 30, 2009 10:49 AM in response to 215 Gates Sells...For the Fifth Time in Five Years
Then again, the kids-peeing-in-the-gutter topic seems to be thriving regardless!
Posted by: brownstoner at June 30, 2009 10:20 AM in response to Open Thread: Do The Right Thing Edition
Fair enough, DIBS. No more cannibalization--we promise!
Posted by: brownstoner at June 30, 2009 10:20 AM in response to Open Thread: Do The Right Thing Edition
We agree totally with all of the above explanations but decided it was wiser to let the facts speak for themselves on this one, hence our inclusion of the financing info...
Posted by: brownstoner at June 30, 2009 10:12 AM in response to 215 Gates Sells...For the Fifth Time in Five Years
What makes you say we are a cheerleader? Believing in the long-term attractiveness of the FG/CH/BS corridor is one thing but when have we said that prices are heading north anytime soon or that this is a great time to buy?
Posted by: brownstoner at June 30, 2009 10:06 AM in response to 215 Gates Sells...For the Fifth Time in Five Years
It's called sarcasm, What. You're right that this is a disaster when some dopey appraiser lines it up against a house a few blocks away. Luckily this place hadn't hit the tape yet when our appraisal was done last month!
Posted by: brownstoner at June 30, 2009 9:59 AM in response to 215 Gates Sells...For the Fifth Time in Five Years
On Brian Lehrer yesterday, there was a big discussion about how the movie brought the issue of inner-city gentrification to a national audience...they played the scene where a white guy is taken to task for buying a brownstone on the block.
Posted by: brownstoner at June 30, 2009 9:28 AM in response to Open Thread: Do The Right Thing Edition
You actually should have an "ignore" feature, hopefully by September...
Posted by: brownstoner at June 29, 2009 4:39 PM in response to Race, Class and P.S. 20's Controversial Principal
No, we just hadn't seen the two maps overlaid. Not suggesting anything.
Posted by: brownstoner at June 29, 2009 11:58 AM in response to Historic District and AY: Like Pieces of a Puzzle
brownstoner wrote a review about Naidre's on June 26, 2009 12:37 PM
Yes, not sure why a bunch of you thought it was cool to make fun of the physical attributes of these people...it's not.
The Developers Group
Posted by: brownstoner at June 26, 2009 11:55 AM in response to Price Cuts at 111 Monroe Street
Well, grey reads more modern, don't you think?
Posted by: brownstoner at June 26, 2009 11:19 AM in response to Price Cuts at 111 Monroe Street
Alrighty. Given the discussion above, we'd like to ask readers in the future if it comes up in a non-slur way to not actually spell out the N-word. Thanks to everyone for their input on the matter.
Posted by: brownstoner at June 26, 2009 10:19 AM in response to Open Thread: Michael Jackson Edition
Okay, we'll take you at your word, but, if you felt like it, it could be eye-opening and interesting for us and other readers to hear why it offended you in this context. Understand if you don't feel like sharing, but we bet that if it came from the heart, it would get people thinking and could lead to a good discussion. The New York Times, for what it's worth, has plenty mentions and discussion of the word.
Posted by: brownstoner at June 26, 2009 9:59 AM in response to Open Thread: Michael Jackson Edition
What, it seems to us that there's a big difference between calling some the N-word (or using it disparagingly) and discussing its usage. We're open to being persuaded differently, but so far, as usual, you've resorted to ranting rather than reasoning. You've got the floor so why don't you try to explain why it was offensive to you in this case. Clearly, in the context it was used, there was no malice intended by the commenter. Now, that doesn't mean that it could not have unintentionally offended you or others, so let's hear it. And don't make it a personal attack on DIBS--make a reasoned case.
Posted by: brownstoner at June 26, 2009 9:43 AM in response to Open Thread: Michael Jackson Edition
what type of behavior? don't understand what you think he did wrong?
Posted by: brownstoner at June 26, 2009 9:31 AM in response to Open Thread: Michael Jackson Edition
What, other readers have already addressed your ridiculous accusations. DIBS wasn't calling anyone anything, he was discussing the usage of the word. Get a grip or it's penalty box time.
Posted by: brownstoner at June 26, 2009 9:25 AM in response to Open Thread: Michael Jackson Edition
http://105lexington.com/plans
The C line is listed as 1,197 square feet. 1,800 would make a hell of a lot more sense though!
Posted by: brownstoner at June 25, 2009 11:34 AM in response to Signs of Life at 105 Lexington Avenue
Sorry, but it's hard to see how anyone could be against this...
Posted by: brownstoner at June 24, 2009 10:31 AM in response to Try This Green(point) Roof on for Size
Whoops, that's what we get for skimming...
Posted by: brownstoner at June 24, 2009 10:29 AM in response to More Naming Rights for Barclay's
[groan]
Posted by: brownstoner at June 24, 2009 10:07 AM in response to Try This Green(point) Roof on for Size
Close call, Denton...Now to the matter at hand: Who knows the contract price?
Posted by: brownstoner at June 24, 2009 9:47 AM in response to One Pierrepont Mansion in the Sky Goes Into Contract
Oh, calm down, Randi. It's the 740 Park Avenue of Brooklyn.
Posted by: brownstoner at June 24, 2009 9:43 AM in response to One Pierrepont Mansion in the Sky Goes Into Contract
link is fixed
Posted by: brownstoner at June 23, 2009 9:19 AM in response to Tuesday Links
Master Plumber solved this problem for us in our place...
Posted by: brownstoner at June 22, 2009 5:02 PM in response to Knocking in Pipes
Point well taken, Denton. We're going to add your photo to the post...
Posted by: brownstoner at June 22, 2009 3:32 PM in response to Development Watch: 614 7th Avenue
Re: Grand Avenue, there was too much incorrect information in both the initial post and the comments that we didn't feel comfortable leaving it up; also, the fact that the broker's number was disconnected along with some strange information we received via email about behind-the-scenes stuff with the sellers also made the whole thing seem sketchy enough to us that we didn't want to be party to publicizing it.
Posted by: brownstoner at June 22, 2009 10:40 AM in response to Open Thread
Our bad--this is East Williamsburg
Posted by: brownstoner at June 19, 2009 11:18 AM in response to Nondescript East W'burg Condos Defying the Market
For what it's worth, we like the Meier building....
Posted by: brownstoner at June 19, 2009 10:46 AM in response to Brooklyn Building Awards
P Heights--this building was by far the most gone, if you read the Army Corps report, so it says nothing about the ability to save the other buildings. Also, if you talk to Andrew Kimball, even he will admit that it's not a question of whether these buildings CAN be saved but about whether it's worth the price of restoring them and who will foot the bill. So it's about priorities and money. But, as we note above, it certainly is a reminder that the longer the fact-finding and negotiation takes, the tougher and more expensive it's going to be to save these things. It would behoove everyone involved to get some resolution and closure. So you can climb down from your high horse now.
Posted by: brownstoner at June 19, 2009 10:34 AM in response to Admirals Row House Collapses from Water Damage
Bully? More like cry baby...
Posted by: brownstoner at June 19, 2009 7:11 AM in response to Open Thread
We don't have time to adequately take apart Benson's tirade right now, but we find it funny that Benson and his new-found buddy, The What, can't seem to get their stories straight: Benson accuses us of being anti-development and The What accuses us of being a cheerleader for the development boom. Which is it? Sometimes the truth is a little more nuanced than that. And, for the record, we were born and raised in New York and, yes, even got mugged a couple of times in the 70s, so you two can stop pulling your city cred crap. It's getting very old. You don't have to have grown up in the Bed Stuy or the Red Hook Houses to be a New Yorker. Heck, you don't even have to have been born here. You are both blinded by your own burning self righteousness and, ironically given the humble origins you both love to brag about, sense of entitlement.
Posted by: brownstoner at June 18, 2009 3:34 PM in response to Open Thread
That would have made for a much-clicked-on next installment of Third & Bond: Hudson Unveils the What's True Identity!
Posted by: brownstoner at June 18, 2009 2:16 PM in response to Inside Third & Bond: Week 88
What,
We already got our appraisal and it was plenty high enough to refi so looks like you'll be stuck with us for another 30 years ;)
Posted by: brownstoner at June 17, 2009 3:36 PM in response to House of the Day: 385 Grand Avenue
As 11217 points out, there've been probably hundreds of photos showing the beautiful side of Bed Stuy over the years. Do you want to pretend that there is not poverty and decomposing housing stock in BS? La la land...
Posted by: brownstoner at June 17, 2009 3:32 PM in response to Conservative Talk Show Host Beholds Williamsburg
Is it okay to run photos of dilapidated buildings in, say, Williamsburg? Just want to get your permission first...
Posted by: brownstoner at June 17, 2009 3:12 PM in response to Conservative Talk Show Host Beholds Williamsburg
So we're only allowed to run What-approved pretty pictures of Bed Stuy now, What? You are ridiculous.
Posted by: brownstoner at June 17, 2009 3:01 PM in response to Conservative Talk Show Host Beholds Williamsburg
...and you must not have liked the posts we've done about the Tattoo parlor, Eddie, Michael Allen or the new cleaners on Fulton and Clinton. Maybe you need to take a break from commenting and catch up on your blog reading!
Posted by: brownstoner at June 17, 2009 2:33 PM in response to Conservative Talk Show Host Beholds Williamsburg
What,
There's hardly ever a post about any person of any color on this blog. In case you haven't noticed, the posts are about buildings, restaurants, stores, etc...Of course, you might consider today's mural post positive, but, as we recall, you don't like street murals...
Posted by: brownstoner at June 17, 2009 1:46 PM in response to Conservative Talk Show Host Beholds Williamsburg
Good morning, Benson. So glad you could join us.
Posted by: brownstoner at June 17, 2009 9:30 AM in response to Conservative Talk Show Host Beholds Williamsburg
1/4
Posted by: brownstoner at June 16, 2009 1:41 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 70 Remsen Street, #3J
It depends how you define "wrong," Benson. No one's saying anything illegal happened...
Posted by: brownstoner at June 16, 2009 11:03 AM in response to City Council OK's School for 'Green Church' Site
We've thought about it, believe us!
Posted by: brownstoner at June 16, 2009 10:22 AM in response to City Council OK's School for 'Green Church' Site
If the congregation had shrunken so much, then they should have merged with another congregation and found a way to preserve the church; the church was not theirs, they were merely the caretakers for future generations...we doubt if you asked the founders of the church how they felt that they would have been in favor of tearing it down.
Posted by: brownstoner at June 16, 2009 10:06 AM in response to City Council OK's School for 'Green Church' Site
What: http://bit.ly/12vnbJ
Posted by: brownstoner at June 15, 2009 4:31 PM in response to 1094 Park Place Finally Sells
What,
$1.2 million. Stay tuned tomorrow.
Posted by: brownstoner at June 15, 2009 4:01 PM in response to House of the Day: 3 Monroe Place
What,
You keep resorting to this distorted revisionist narrative about Brownstoner readers suddenly being pro-preservation. What planet have you been living on? That's been probably the most consistent theme since this site launched more than 4 1/2 years ago?
Posted by: brownstoner at June 15, 2009 3:33 PM in response to 1094 Park Place Finally Sells
First off, it doesn't look like your post even went through. Secondly, even if it had, it would have been removed: Barring very occasional exceptions (non-profits putting on renovation-related or housing-related seminars) events postings of any kind are not allowed on the Forum.
Posted by: brownstoner at June 13, 2009 2:17 PM in response to My topic was just removed...why?
We've never even eaten there...we just like to blog about it.
Posted by: brownstoner at July 1, 2009 12:22 PM in response to No Shortage of Demand for Checkers