I believe he's going back to florida , he mentioned that the landlord is very anxious to rent the space to a low key venture preferably nothing to do with food, apparently the rent is reasonable and it wasn't raised in five years. I have no idea what could do well on that corner but I'd love to have another movie rental store.

Posted by: DowningByLaw at September 17, 2008 6:19 PM in response to Streetlevel: Gates Ave. Video and Candy Close

I encourage everyone to go home and ride a bike this weekend comeback monday and see if you still need to make sweeping biased generalizations, not every driver is a maniac, not every pedestrian is oblivious and not every cyclist is reckless.

If I violate the law then give me a ticket but make sure every dble parker, bike lane blocker and jaywalker on that same street get one also!

Posted by: DowningByLaw at September 12, 2008 1:12 PM in response to Warnings to Cyclists Near the Bridge

Amazingly narrow points of view, in light of the recent death I guess the easiest thing is to continue generalizing and villianizing cyclist once again.

I commute everyday by bicycle year round rain or shine,( I own a car also) I see ridiculous things perpetrated every day by cyclist, motorist, pedestrians and law enforcement but cyclist seem to be the easiest target not the oblivious pedestrian crossing in the middle of the block while on a cellphone, the driver that forgets the person they just cut off on a bicycle is made of flesh and bones with a family or the non skilled rider jetting across the crosswalk against the light nearly clipping pedestrians.

I see it all and I've been riding to the city since 87'sometimes I'm an ass and sometimes I'm incredibly considerate just like everyone else in this city, but first and foremost self preservation governs me and sometimes that means stopping at a light or crossing the double lines because the bike lanes are blocked and placard adorned cars are parked illegally(chambers street every day)

Visit some bicycle oriented blogs and see the perspective of responsible cyclist and pause next time you generalize(although it seems to be the norm on this site).

Posted by: DowningByLaw at September 12, 2008 12:04 PM in response to Warnings to Cyclists Near the Bridge

What is mind boggling is the time that fulton is taking to evolve. Atlantic aint pretty after dark but I'll gladly venture there to get produce, that double wide space(laundromat and former law offices adjacent to abandoned bldg?) has been defunct for over two years, doesn't seem that fulton is in any rush for new sustainable commerce, pity.

Posted by: DowningByLaw at July 15, 2008 3:59 PM in response to Streetlevel: Fresh Produce Comes to Atlantic

adding to 10:14,
does completion mean the entire stretch(classon to clinton) of fulton being re-repaved? and please tell if a bike line will be added.

Posted by: DowningByLaw at June 19, 2008 10:54 AM in response to Fulton Dig Could Be Done By September

I was robbed once- 1994 gun to the back of my neck held by a teenager while his partners were in a car behind us- this was in my parents neighborhood in an upscale section of queens.

I walk fully aware but not paranoid.
I'm six one, 205 and study and teach martial arts and most of the advice so far is illogical impractical and spoken by people who probably have never been in a fight.

When you study strategies and techniques for dealing with multiple attackers(3 or more) you realize despite preparations training( throw in a box cutter and your chances are very slim) the best move is to find an exit, period.
I've lived in clinton hill for 10 yrs and can fend for myself luckily I haven't had to yet,but my wife is tiny and not from the city, my advice(along with basic self defense techniques) to her besides the obvious is to take the long way around and walk down fulton rather than gates, be vigilant in scanning ahead and behind her and if confronted offer no resistance.

Posted by: DowningByLaw at June 18, 2008 11:02 AM in response to Enough With the Marauding Teenagers!

Is Divatude still operating? Whatever happened to that short lived coffee shop or that make shift diner that has had its gates down for sometime and whose storefront now serves as a gathering spot for some of the old timers and "drunkman".
This corner is a throwback and an anomaly , police presence which seems to do little over time(although I am disturbed that there has been any in the past few days) is a panacea, the only way this corner will change is when it becomes commercially viable for more merchants, there are a few but not enough- police seem to respond much quicker to business owners than homeowners or renters(my opinion).
When that dank dark rinkydink putnam candy store is bought out and the yemenese landlords relatives(who are decent but seem to have adopted the bad habits of whom they host) ) who run the deli stop condoning and covering for that scary lady runner/lookout/prostitute on her bike and the few pre 16yr olds who aid in the traffic- then we will see a change.

Posted by: DowningByLaw at May 22, 2008 8:53 PM in response to Cop Fired on in Aftermath of Rally at Grand and Putnam

If you frequent this site(or live in reality) and notice what properties are selling for and still use the term "ghetto" you should spend some time reading instead of yapping.

Posted by: DowningByLaw at May 22, 2008 11:39 AM in response to Cop Fired on in Aftermath of Rally at Grand and Putnam

I was dissapointed to not find a consistent police presence since last weeks shooting, maybe if there was a squad car out and about, last nights shooting may not have happened.

I'd call the 88th more often if I wasn't treated like a hemorrhoid on a hot day each time I called.

I find it troubling when people justify a lack of pay for poor customer service (especially when the avge officer makes 70,000yr including overtime lets remember they choose this line of work).

I think the tapes should be reviewed and a consistent presence will rapidly aid the cleaning up of this corner, maybe find a way to shutdown the deli at the corner with some violations-like when the gents behind the counter smoke cigs while making a sandwich in the presence of school kids also in the store(that was this morning), another blatant example of complete disregard for the immediate community.

Posted by: DowningByLaw at May 22, 2008 10:47 AM in response to Cop Fired on in Aftermath of Rally at Grand and Putnam

I was born in BK in 69 on St. james, I am well aware of the evolution of the borough. I dabbled in unsavory activities as well but I grew up and being a parent changes your perspective on many things including quality of life and your own personal responsibilities that go along with that. Wake up and decide what kind of world you want to live in.
Sunday night 12:40 am I had to ask the usuals to keep it down(accompanied by music thumping from the usual silver benz) and move away from my stoop and puff someplace else because my fam needs sleep, these are the same cats on the corner day in day out, am I wrong for wanting a decent quiet nights sleep? Its not just peddling nix and dimes but the atmosphere it creates-please prove me wrong.

I'll be there at 4:30ish will you?

Posted by: DowningByLaw at May 20, 2008 7:57 PM in response to Closing Bell: Clinton Hill Crime Press Conference & Rally

7:08 I am glad for you but your perspective is irrelevant, narrow and seemingly self absorbed. i hold the immediate communities ambivalence as the major culprit and your wonderful insight gives me that ability.

Posted by: DowningByLaw at May 20, 2008 7:16 PM in response to Closing Bell: Clinton Hill Crime Press Conference & Rally

This is great! Maybe this exposure will make those who turn a blind eye realize that some of us may be finally fed up and are looking for a solution.
But I echo the 4pm as inconvenient sentiment.

Posted by: DowningByLaw at May 20, 2008 7:05 PM in response to Closing Bell: Clinton Hill Crime Press Conference & Rally