Here is the page for the section through Clinton Hill/ Fort Green

https://www.nysdot.gov/portal/page/portal/regional-offices/region11/projects/bqe-reconstruction-project-park-ave

and the next section Sands to Atlantic

https://www.nysdot.gov/regional-offices/region11/projects/bqe-atlantic-sands

Posted by: Karka at July 17, 2009 11:52 AM in response to Enviromental Impact of BQE?

Haven't found anything specific to the BQE but Brooklyn in general is not considered that great in terms of air quality.

http://www.stateoftheair.org/2009/states/new-york/kings-36047.html

At least there are a lot of trees in Clinton Hill/ Fort Green so that should help lower pollution -even if all they do is lower the overall temperature of the air.

Posted by: Karka at July 17, 2009 11:01 AM in response to Enviromental Impact of BQE?

http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/112-Hall-St-Brooklyn-NY-11205/30611800_zpid/

by Myrtle in the Clinton Hill/Wallabout area

Posted by: Karka at June 24, 2009 9:42 AM in response to Townhouse for $600k?

So are they going to trash everything as they tear down 491? They were throwing clothes off into the trash this morning. It just seems wrong that you lose your home and you have to watch some guy destroy your belongings.

Posted by: Karka at June 23, 2009 10:37 AM in response to No Hard Answers Yet on Myrtle Building Collapse

If you can't find one that fits you can always make one out of heavy gauge aluminum or copper wire. Make one circle loop that fits inside the drain hole, make a second loop a little bigger than the hole, and a third loop really small. String wire in parallel from the first to second to third loops, wrapping around each loop to hold everything in place. The run between the second and third loops should be long: this is the part that will stick above the roof level blocking large objects.

Posted by: Karka at June 19, 2009 10:34 AM in response to Source for Roof Drain Cage

Not worthless but the systems are designed to clean a specific volume of air, so leaving a window or door open will limit the effectiveness of the device.

You can also look at adding plants to regulate the humidity and air quality.

Posted by: Karka at June 10, 2009 11:25 AM in response to Room Air Filter for Allergies

If they are really concerned about trucks making deliveries then they should lower the speed limit on the road.

Posted by: Karka at June 10, 2009 10:43 AM in response to CB6, Fifth Avenue BID Going After Bike Lane

I've taken a stump out with an axe, took about 2 years.

Posted by: Karka at June 9, 2009 4:24 PM in response to Tree Stump Removal

Kool-Aid Guy

Posted by: Karka at May 29, 2009 1:50 PM in response to demolition recommendation

I think there is a new bike shop on the corner of Willoughby and Wallworth, opposite the Home Depot parking lot. It might be some type of bike collective tho.

Posted by: Karka at May 28, 2009 12:21 PM in response to StreetLevel: Bike Shop Gets Rolling on Bergen

Make your own like that ColorSplash guy.

or try Craigslist or freecycle

http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/art/1182292076.html

Posted by: Karka at May 21, 2009 4:09 PM in response to Where Can I Find Cheap Paintings

TSP (or similar cleaner) + bleach is the standard for cleaning exterior surfaces. If you want something stronger you can try muriatic acid (watered down hydrochloric acid). This can actually damage the brick. And if you go the acid route always add acid to water never the other way around or it can explode.

Power-washers can also damage brick if you are not careful. I would try the TSP +bleach and a stiff hand brush first. If it is too tough look into getting a power washer.

Posted by: Karka at May 12, 2009 1:24 PM in response to Removing Moss from Brick Patio

You can try the Kensington forum here as well

http://brooklynian.com/forums

Posted by: Karka at May 12, 2009 7:23 AM in response to Newbie

I'm hearing now the new space will just be offices, and Third Ward will handle the workshops.

Posted by: Karka at May 6, 2009 12:45 PM in response to Etsy.com Crafts Deal for 55 Washington Office Space

If its like the Gold St location it will be offices and workshops. Retail is all done online. They do host workshops open to the public like the Sock Monkey Workshop.
http://www.etsy.com/storque/events/news-from-the-etsy-labs-sock-monkey-workshop-3661/

Posted by: Karka at May 6, 2009 12:43 PM in response to Etsy.com Crafts Deal for 55 Washington Office Space

You do not need permits to replace the end fixtures on existing plumbing lines. If you plan to alter the existing plumbing in any other way then you need a permit and a licensed plumber.

For costs it could be anything- a mid range faucet set alone can run $200, I wound up spending $600 on a console sink + legs + faucet. But you can find cheaper or more expensive.

Posted by: Karka at April 23, 2009 10:40 AM in response to Cost to install bathroom sink?

I had various estimates done for this on my wood frame but never went through with it- which turned out to be a good thing because my walls are filled with bricks.

I'm not sure what the test for this is and none of the installers ever brought this up as a concern. If you have any vents through your wall (for a dryer as an example) I would try to pull out the vent sleeve to look inside the wall first before you start getting quotes.

Posted by: Karka at April 22, 2009 11:41 AM in response to Foam insulation systems

There have been some legal measures proposed to address the issue as well:

http://d1638756.sp68.skypanther.info/

Posted by: Karka at April 22, 2009 11:18 AM in response to twenty foot tall fence?

There are also fire code rules in addition to FAR rules about how many stories a wood frame can be, which I think is 2 stories for the combustion rating.

Posted by: Karka at April 17, 2009 6:20 PM in response to Add a floor to a Framehouse

or maybe they have really big batteries that will run out after a year and require a power truck drive around to recharge them

Posted by: Karka at April 13, 2009 3:25 PM in response to Green Lamp Posts Coming to the Navy Yard

I guess it is the install costs

" The street lights, designed and assembled at the Navy Yard, cost roughly 35 percent less to install than their more conventional counterparts and will save the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation about $600,000 dollars a year in the first year and $11,000 a year going forward on its electricity bill."

http://preview.tinyurl.com/NYC-press-release

Posted by: Karka at April 13, 2009 1:53 PM in response to Green Lamp Posts Coming to the Navy Yard

275 Washington Ave. was the HOTD March 31, 2008.
This is 275 Park Ave.

Posted by: Karka at April 13, 2009 1:32 PM in response to 275 Park Avenue: Market? Yes. Asian? No.

I preferred the "Royal Price" name.

Posted by: Karka at April 3, 2009 1:27 PM in response to Two of TONY's New Yorkiest Blocks in Brooklyn

Are people actually loitering in the hallway or you just don't like the guy's friends?

Posted by: Karka at April 2, 2009 1:14 PM in response to Problem With RC Tenant

No Fedders, No balconies, nice roof deck- this is not the worst building ever.

Posted by: Karka at March 27, 2009 11:27 AM in response to Horror Show Friday: 8 Dikeman Street

Traps and vents serve different functions- traps hold water to block the passage of air and vents allow air into and out of the system behind the traps (otherwise the traps won't hold water properly).
Not sure what you mean by "external trap". A toilet has an internal trap as opposed to a sink or bathtub which must be trapped externally.

Posted by: Karka at March 9, 2009 2:27 PM in response to Test for trap in shower

Is it a gas oven? Its possible for the gas valve to stick shut if the oven hasn't been used in a while. Can you increase the room temperature then put the oven on broil and see if it opens up.

As to the fridge- has something blocked the vents between the freezer and the refrigerator section? First try to thaw and clean the unit. Unplug it, put some old towels inside to catch the melting water and then vacuum out the coils and air registers from the outside (behind and under the unit)

Posted by: Karka at March 9, 2009 1:56 PM in response to Refrigerator/stove repair needed

some things to think about here:
http://www.heatinghelp.com/steam_problems.cfm

I guess the easiest first step for you to do would be to check the pH of the water going into the boiler. And out I guess.

Another thing to look at would be the vents.

Posted by: Karka at February 25, 2009 2:07 PM in response to Steam Boiler Question

Its sad. The initial renders looked better but then they cheaped out on the facade and went all glass.

Posted by: Karka at February 4, 2009 11:41 AM in response to Checking In On The Absolute Condos

Next time you are down there recite the following:

Y'AI 'NG'NGAH,
YOG-SOTHOTH
H'EE-L'GEB
F'AI THRODOG
UAAAH!

and let us know what happens.

Posted by: Karka at January 30, 2009 5:00 PM in response to Mysterious tunnel

You should be able to watch past episodes online by neighborhood, but I don't see a Crown Heights link posted yet.

http://www.bcat.tv/bcat/features/neighborhoodbeat.asp#nb

Posted by: Karka at January 30, 2009 4:51 PM in response to Closing Bell: Crown Heights Makes Its TV Debut

Your slideshow pics are too artsy- they give no feel for the size of the apartment. Try to draw out a measured floorplan and take some pics that people can reference themselves into. Staging would help.

Posted by: Karka at January 14, 2009 5:16 PM in response to Getting our apartment rented

I would trust the units manufacturer for guidelines.

Keep in mind you will also need a source for make up air for the combustion process, which probably means you want a heat exchanger so the exhaust air can warm up the make up air, otherwise you will either lose efficiency or will cool off some other part of your house (where the make up air is drawn in from the outside).

Posted by: Karka at November 25, 2008 12:59 PM in response to Wood burning fireplace conversion

Does she look tired to you?

Posted by: Karka at November 19, 2008 10:48 AM in response to Babs Still Bullish on Brooklyn

Just keep an eye on things moving or cracking.

I lived in a building on Bedford for a couple years and the windows were pulling away from the structure of the building and some panes cracked due to the truck traffic.

Posted by: Karka at November 11, 2008 4:16 PM in response to shaking building

If you can afford to replace it then do so. Aside from the health risk (lead will always leech into your water, whether it kills you or not) a lead main is just a failure waiting to happen.

Mine failed in the middle of winter so I had no water or heat for a while. I think I used Matthew Ruggiero Plumbing to fix it.

Posted by: Karka at October 22, 2008 5:36 PM in response to Like a lead......... pipe?

Metal or plastic?

Posted by: Karka at October 16, 2008 1:31 PM in response to Trash Can Theft

A better waterfall display

http://gizmodo.com/5036399/inkjet+like-smart-waterfall-makes-animated-falling-water-show

Posted by: Karka at August 28, 2008 2:27 PM in response to BHA Wants Waterfalls Shut Down

It sounds like all this mystery piping and venting was related to a laundry installation in the past- though you are missing the electric and/or gas lines.

Posted by: Karka at August 21, 2008 12:37 PM in response to Fire Sprinklers?

look at Craneboard for siding, its vinyl with foam backing and weep plane affixed.

Posted by: Karka at August 21, 2008 12:18 PM in response to Siding & cornice

http://fairhousing.com/index.cfm?method=page.display&pagename=HUD_resources_keatingmmo

Posted by: Karka at August 18, 2008 12:50 PM in response to How many can live in 1 family house

One possible stumbling block I noticed the other day walking past: the area reeked of rotting garbage, probably from the produce warehouse just up the block.

Mojito is 82 Washington Ave, accross the street and closer to Park Ave.

Posted by: Karka at August 13, 2008 4:33 PM in response to Streetlevel: Il Porto Opening Tomorrow

I guess it is unlikely that someone would rob all the banks on Myrtle at once, so its a form of security for the bank.

I agree it is a shame all these one story buildings on Myrtle are getting new tenants without tearing down and building to the new zoning first.

Posted by: Karka at August 5, 2008 5:06 PM in response to Streetlevel: Chase Gobbles Up Myrtle Corner

What my engineer told me: its against code but no one enforces it. This was for a wooden porch on the back of the house at parlor level.

Now if you were to have an accident on the illegal deck and needed to make an insurance claim I don't know what the case would be.

Posted by: Karka at July 30, 2008 5:32 PM in response to Real Risks of Building Without a Permit?

I didn't think HoJo's was still around, but maybe it was converted from one as you say.

Posted by: Karka at July 30, 2008 11:14 AM in response to Dyker Heights 'Mansion': Yours for $2 Mil

This could make a decent IHOP

Posted by: Karka at July 30, 2008 11:11 AM in response to Dyker Heights 'Mansion': Yours for $2 Mil

Could be a sign the counterfeiters are back too.

Posted by: Karka at July 28, 2008 4:04 PM in response to Closing Bell: Better Bring Small Bills to Louie's

Most of those add on pull-out rods are valet rods for temporary "next day outfit" storage.
The force on the wall mount for a fully loaded extending closet rod would be pretty high. You might have to just use a 36" wide garment rack on wheels and pull it in and out of the closet. Or if you have high ceilings you could put in a lever type that swings down and out of the closet and has loops to hold the hangers in place on the rod.

Posted by: Karka at July 25, 2008 3:49 PM in response to sources for pull out closet hangers

Sam's is the place where the pizza has no listed prices so the owner can raise the price if he doesn't like you?

If so its good pizza.

Posted by: Karka at July 23, 2008 11:56 AM in response to Wednesday Food & Drink Round-Up

EPA won't be able to help you. A few places that you might look:

NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygenie (DOHMH) maintains comprehensive health surve information for the entire city, often sortabel by zip code. Here you'll be albe to get a very comprehensive health snap shot of your new neighborhood, including asthma rates. Check out Epiquery and other information on their website:

https://a816-healthpsi.nyc.gov/epiquery/EpiQuery/

The other best way to get environmenatl information is to see if any Environmental Impact Studies (EIS') have been published. These documents are all project specific, so nothing would have been done if a large and environmentally sensitive project hasnt been completed in the area recently. Howver, as lots of work seems to alwasy be going on with the BQE I imagine the New York State Dept. of Transportation would have had to file an EIS at some point. Check out their website and call there to see if one was completed and where you can view it. They are often enourmous (1,000+ page) documents but always include detailed air quality anaylses. If the BQE isnt a State owned expressway that City DOT would have info, but I think the state owns the BQE

You might also want to reach out to the local Council Members office (Tish James I believe).

Good luck!!

Posted by: clintonhillbuyer at July 17, 2009 11:02 AM in response to Enviromental Impact of BQE?

BQE is a state highway. the State DOT is responsible for its maintenance and rebuilding. the section between Clinton Hill and Fort Greene was just rebuilt and there is an state EIS somewhere. The State is beginning to do an EIS for the next section between Brooklyn heights and cobble Hill(the cantilever)....do a search and you will find names and numbers they should be able to assist you in getting access to the other EIS's done for your area....

Posted by: smeyer418 at July 17, 2009 11:10 AM in response to Enviromental Impact of BQE?

I lived on a BQE block (Ryerson between Myrtle and Park) for almost nine years, and the amount and persistence of black dust in the house always annoyed and troubled me. The general age and poor condition of our house (a rental) certainly contributed to the problem of dust and such, but I'm sure the BQE also had something to do with it. It seemed that every day brought a new coating of dust, noticeably worse in warm months with open windows; troubling to think about breathing that soot. Personally, I would never buy on a block so close to the BQE.

Posted by: rabbit at July 17, 2009 11:43 AM in response to Enviromental Impact of BQE?

people have been living on it for many many years with no problems. dont be such a worry wart. you should just buy a house in maine if you want "fresh air"

*rob*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at July 17, 2009 11:43 AM in response to Enviromental Impact of BQE?

Here is the page for the section through Clinton Hill/ Fort Green

https://www.nysdot.gov/portal/page/portal/regional-offices/region11/projects/bqe-reconstruction-project-park-ave

and the next section Sands to Atlantic

https://www.nysdot.gov/regional-offices/region11/projects/bqe-atlantic-sands

Posted by: Karka at July 17, 2009 11:52 AM in response to Enviromental Impact of BQE?

I was talking to Eddie from Eddie's Salvage and he said there's a dumping station for construction debris right by the BQE in Clinton Hill, and that people have been having health problems. (He does a lot of demolition work, which is how he gets the salvage for his salvage shop.)Unscientific? Yes. But I'd definitely look into it before buying a place.

Posted by: talknerdytome at July 17, 2009 12:04 PM in response to Enviromental Impact of BQE?

not for me, but the residents of DUMBO don't seem to mind.

Posted by: dittoburg at July 17, 2009 12:22 PM in response to Enviromental Impact of BQE?

It's far from you but you could look up the problems the guys from the firehouse had - the Happy Hookers are right off the BQE and next to a sanitation plant. No on really knows how many of the medical problems are related to their location but they have more than the average firehouse, and some of them problems are -well- strange. But there is a particularly toxic place. Still- you'll get dust, fumes and noise being that close.

Posted by: bxgrl at July 17, 2009 12:27 PM in response to Enviromental Impact of BQE?

Yes, people have been living near the BQE for years, and yes the instances of Asthma have skyrocketed in urban areas, especially around major highways. If you think that's a coincidence then maybe you also think the reduction of child fatalities in car crashes has nothing to do with stricter car seat laws and you should let your 4 month old ride in the front seat with no safety belt. A little common sense here, please.

I lived on Lombardy Street in Williamsburg, right next to the McDonalds and Staples near the K bridge for 5 years. During that time all my glasses and dishes would develop a sticky black dusty film if they weren't used in a month. I was diagnosed with mild Asthma and had to use an inhaler every day. I moved in 2002 and within a couple years my lung capacity returned to normal and I no longer use the inhaler. Not to mention that I no longer feel the necessity to wash my dishes before I use them.

Obviously, I would recommend living as far away as possible from the BQE or any other major highway. Is your quality of life worth the money you save?

Posted by: JimHill at July 17, 2009 12:28 PM in response to Enviromental Impact of BQE?

The Department of Environmental Conservation has a network of air monitoring locations throughout the state. This is the most recent summary report for New York City:

http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/29310.html

Basically, air in NYC is cleaner than it's been for nearly a century, primarily thanks to cleaner fuels and improved vehicle emission controls.

A century ago homes were heated by coal, and transportation such as ferries and elevated trains were all fueled by coal. Fifty years ago cars burned leaded fuel. Twenty years ago low-sulfur diesel fuel was unheard of.

I'd be more worried about the noise.

Posted by: Sparafucile at July 17, 2009 12:45 PM in response to Enviromental Impact of BQE?