Too bad no one in that room actually has any say in the matter.

Posted by: Knickerbocker at November 11, 2008 7:59 PM in response to Brooklynites to LICH: Stay Alive

Its a nice selection and reasonably priced. I had about 90 minutes to kill (waiting for a LICH doctor) and spent most of it in this store. Was left alone by the owner (good), and while I did not find anything I wanted to buy, there were many interesting selections. Reminds me of the classic (now vanished) small Greenwich village used book stores.

I lived about two blocks away from 1996-2003. There used to be small stores like this all over Cobble Hill. I suggest everyone goes and buys a book before this place joins the Musician's General Store, Dom's Music and Pete's Ice Cream on the neighborhood's R.I.P. list.

Also, this store used to be a realtor - now that's a neighborhood change I can support.

Posted by: Knickerbocker at November 10, 2008 7:11 PM in response to Streetlevel: New Bookstore on Atlantic

bklynde:

How is it "impossible to take pictures of the interior of the house" is there some phantom which drains you camera battery power?

There has to be some way to get enough light (is the electric working at all?). What about the rear exterior of the house? Is the sun blocked out by the evil power which resides in the attic?

Your post is just a tease. Show some pics or stay home.

Posted by: Knickerbocker at November 3, 2008 9:12 PM in response to Clinton Avenue Haunted Mansion Now 25% Cheaper

I lived at 449 Nevins for a few years in the mid 90s, which is the lighter colored building attached to the left side of 100 Nevins. Never saw the inside of 100 Nevins, but peeked through the window many times and could always hear conversations through the walls.

100 Nevins is REALLY narrow. Once you factor in the staircases the place is anorexics only. The masonry was disintegrating on our side of the wall (I am assuming that we had a shared party wall). We also had a major rat and roach problem which I am sure was a common issue (but that was a long time ago).

But the part that always got me was the blood curdling screams emanating from the public school across the street. That started every morning before 8pm and did not end until late afternoon. Yes it was just kids playing, but man, they screamed bloody murder all day. Also there is a flagpole at the school with an unsecured metal ring around it that clangs in the wind all day and all night. I still remember the sound reverberating in my apartment. I walked by about a year ago and it was still making that noise. Basically its like a low rent "Tell Tale Heart."

Oh, and across the street is the still unfinished "Green House" which used to be a "Crack House". I laugh at the developers attempt to sell that place as healthy - it used to be the most disgusting building in the area.

Back then 449 Nevins had a for sale sign on the front - ask price was 325k in 1995 for a building with 4 rental tenants who had to pay for their own heat and hot water. How's that for a comp.

Posted by: Knickerbocker at October 31, 2008 6:46 PM in response to Open House Picks

This is an old picture. I walked by at 12pm today and they are already working on the 2nd floor.

Red Apple (Casimedies)is across the street and has finished the foundation work on phase I.

Toren is capped off and the 'bar code' skin is 50% done.

Also the big rental building on Tillary and Gold is going up fast. It looks like they are already past the 10th floor.

Also Ratner's rental on DeKalb is already past the 5 or 6th floor.

City Point demo work is done and they are starting work on the foundation.

The only stragglers seem to be the "Jetsons/Flatiron" on Tillary (adjacent to the Manhattan Bridge onramp) and Oro 2 which is still a big hole in the ground.

bottom line is that it's going to be a busy winter for contractors in Ft Greene.

Recession be damned, keep on building!

Note: I am an co-op owner in the area, but am not a broker. However, I did just hire a broker to babysit my kid twice a week, and that says a lot about the state of the market.

Posted by: Knickerbocker at October 30, 2008 4:31 PM in response to Avalon from Above: Seven Weeks Later

The first thing the city needs to do in order to cut costs is to eliminate the public advocates office. After that, they can take out all the borough presidents.

These jobs are all a total waste. The offices have no real power. The public money used to maintain their offices and to put out their useless self-promotional mailings would be better spent on hiring lobbying firms to promote each borough's specific needs in Albany/City Hall.

These positions were all basically designed as consolation prizes for those who wanted to run for mayor, but have no real voter base (hello Mark Green). In the current environment we can no longer afford these political 'plums' for the 2nd place winners.

Posted by: Knickerbocker at October 29, 2008 4:22 PM in response to Term Limit Fall-Out: de Blasio Eyes Public Advocate Seat

Mini loft? That's funny. This is a joke, right?

650k for a 1 room, top floor unit that is slightly larger than some walk in closets and is located in a borderline neighborhood?

I hope the developer falls behind in his mortgage payments so this can be foreclosed upon and auctioned off for the real value.

Posted by: Knickerbocker at October 23, 2008 3:35 PM in response to Condos of the Day: 473 Clinton Avenue

Bikes may not be motor vehicles, but they need to be treated as such.

If bikes could be impounded due to traffic violations or riding on the sidewalk, bikers would quickly clean up their act and learn how to avoid the pedestrians. All too often I see bikers on the sidewalk, even when there are bike lanes (i.e. DeKalb Ave). This is especially true with commercial 'delivery' bikes (food, courier, etc) who are (understandably) rushing to make as many deliveries as possible.

I grew up in Manhattan in the 1970s, and the only thing I ever got in trouble for was biking on the sidewalk. When I was in my prime 'bike' phase of 12-14 y.o. cops would usually stop me from riding on the sidewalk. I'd complain that riding on Broadway was dangerous. They would still tell me to ride in the street or walk it on the sidewalk. In retrospect, that still makes sense to me.

If bikers are going to get their own lanes, public racks and other niceities, then they need to do more to avoid pedestrians, and also pay the price when they don't follow the rules.

Posted by: Knickerbocker at October 20, 2008 5:56 PM in response to Park Slope Wants to Go Both Ways (Traffic-wise)

Fine. Just no more dog spas or frozen yogurt stores.

Deal?

Posted by: Knickerbocker at October 14, 2008 11:44 AM in response to Brooklyn Solves Retail Puzzle

Amazing this store has survived when so many other CH institutions have gone forever. Stay away from Barnes + Noble on Court. This (and the even funkier "Community Bookstore" down the street) should get all the CH/CG/BH readers spare cash.

Posted by: Knickerbocker at October 13, 2008 4:09 PM in response to Book Court Expands

Gotta rail against all the DUMBO hawks.

I really don't understand why people go to DUMBO to start a family. The noise and filth from the car traffic and bridges is unbearable. There is always 'dust' in the air as the cars and trains vibrate the bridges, dumping rust and lead paint onto the streets below.

Why did they build a playground almost underneath the bridge?

I have seen parents letting their kids wade into the east river - why do they do this? Don't the realize how polluted and disgusting that water is? How can they let their kids run around the area barefoot?

Also, there are no good schools near DUMBO, every store is overpriced and outside the 3 blocks of central DUMBO, the rest of the area is very sketchy.

Look, I grew up in the pre-gentrified upper west side during the 1970s. It was dirty and dangerous back then, but at least we knew not to go swimming in the Hudson or run around near the west side highway. Also, all the stores were mom and pop owned and reasonably priced. The DUMBO kids seem to be encouraged to embrace the filth and wastefulness of their parents.

Why do people pay premium prices for one of the most unhealthy areas of the city (besides Newton Creek or Gowanus). I just don't get it. What's the attraction?

Posted by: Knickerbocker at October 2, 2008 4:18 PM in response to The Real Estate Scene Down Under

Cobble Hill is wherever Barbara Corcoran says it is.

It all used to be "South Brooklyn". CH/CG border used to be Kane St in my book. You could walk the long block on Clinton b/w Kane and DeGraw and watch the Italian flavor of the 'hood gradually appear one multi-colored awning at a time.

And Donut House was always dump. Call me when College Bakery and the Musicians General Store re-open.

Posted by: Knickerbocker at October 1, 2008 7:42 PM in response to Streetlevel: Donut House Reopens as Coffee Shop

Every day I pass the 'death corner' of Fulton and Flatbush (and Nevins). The traffic pattern is set up so that cars make this huge left turn from Flatbush on to Fulton and pedestrians cannot see them coming since they are walking away from the oncoming cars. Also the light known to be is short, and cars speed through red lights to make the turn in time. I have seen many near accidents, and a few ambulances.

If they posted a good traffic cop there, they could catch at least 1 violation every 60 seconds. While DOT has posted a traffic cop before, they just stand around talking to vendors and eating dunkin donuts and I have not seen one in months. DOT just does not care.

Also, bicyclists should be given a ticket if they are riding on the sidewalk. I grew up in Manhattan and the cops used to make me get off my bike (at 10 yrs old) and ride in the street.

By law, pedestrians always have the right of way. Unfortunately, no one seems to believe that anymore.

Posted by: Knickerbocker at September 9, 2008 11:11 AM in response to Brooklyn's Dangerous Intersections

Scoop? Sleuthing? That's not sleuthing, that's guessing.

The premise of the Da Vinci Code was more logical than this nonsense.

What's next? Tea leaves and tarot cards to determine when the Fed will finally raise the prime rate?

Posted by: Knickerbocker at September 5, 2008 10:29 AM in response to F. Martinella Mystery Solved?

Who needs a re-design, just bring back the Death-O-Meter!

http://www.edrants.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/deathometer.jpg

Posted by: Knickerbocker at September 3, 2008 7:21 PM in response to Grand Army Plaza's Impending Makeover

As a NY native whose family showed up in Ellis Island in 1910, I'd like to bring to your attention a slogan from the worst parts of the 1970s:

"New York City, if you don't like it, leave"

If you are interested in Brownstoners talk about cow towns like Buffalo as the 'next wave', just because of a little economic slowdown, please feel free to go. The real NYers have survived a lot worse, and we will still be here no matter what.

As for all you new transplants who think NYCers actually act like the cast of Friends and/or Sex in the City and who complain that you can't afford your $75 T-Shirts and $3000/mo rent, please understand that we really don't want you here. You are ruining everything that makes NYC great. Hope you enjoyed your vacation in NY, you tourists. Feel free to go as soon as possible. Bye!

Posted by: Knickerbocker at August 26, 2008 10:28 AM in response to Can't Cut It In Brooklyn? Try Buffalo.

I lived across the street from this building from 1994-6. It was a crack house. I was told that there was a fire 20-30 years ago and it has been abandoned and exposed to the elements ever since.

I laugh at the thought of this building being 'healthy'. You would need to dismantle it and scrub every brick with a commercial solvent to say that with a straight face.

Posted by: Knickerbocker at August 21, 2008 5:18 PM in response to Development Watch: 93 Nevins Making Progress

Sadly, all live music is basically dead. Bands are lucky to get $150 for the whole group at any gig. With the exception of wedding bands and corporate work, it is simply impossible to make a subsistence living with your music in NYC.

All too often, the club owners have ripped out their stage and replaced it with 3-6 tables and a DJ booth. People barely go out these days anyway, so no one is looking around to hear new music, except on myspace.

Regarding venues, my old band mate had a regular weekend jazz gig at Red Bamboo on DeKalb. Don't know if that is still going on. You can also check out a list of Brooklyn jazz clubs here:

http://www.ny.com/clubs/jazz/brooklyn&queens.html

Posted by: Knickerbocker at August 19, 2008 5:27 PM in response to The Jazz Age Comes to Brooklyn

No comments? This is posted for 7 hours and no comments? Where are all the haters?

C'mon, whose going jump in to talk all doom and gloom about this development.

No one is going to talk about how this is never going to be built.

Anyone....anyone.....?

Posted by: Knickerbocker at August 11, 2008 7:31 PM in response to Development Watch: 202 Myrtle Avenue

Kuroko:

I lived across the street from the neighboring school on the corner of Pacific and Nevins from 1994-6.

The kids screaming and other noise from the play yard starts at 8:00am and goes until at least 10am, then continues periodically throughout the day for recess. It sounds like something between a riot and crowd stampede at a Miley Cyrus show.

If you have some crazy commute which forces you out of the house by 8pm and/or you get home after 7pm, then this is no big deal, but if you have a job that starts later or gets you home before 5pm, you can never get any quiet. Also, the kids tend to walk out and stay nearby the school, but they stay away from the school to avoid the teachers, and usually get aggressive and rowdy on your front stoop. Also, there was always trash (mostly food wrappers) and other papers strewn all over the area since kids could care less about their junk.

It's not pleasant. I will never live within 500 years of a school ever again.

Posted by: Knickerbocker at August 5, 2008 5:03 PM in response to Condo of the Day: 324-328 Dean Street

If you moved into this area with a small child, you should not be complaining, because it's an obvious industrial zone. There is a concrete mix facility right there too, and it is a well known fact that concrete mix contains silica particles that can get in the air and rip your lungs to shreds in long term exposure.

Factor in the dirt and asbestos from the overhead train and BQE and it's clear that anyone moving into this part of BK looking for a 'green' healthy neighborhood is delusional.

Posted by: Knickerbocker at July 31, 2008 9:53 AM in response to Asbestos Warnings Near Public Place: Too Little, Too Late?

This is a total shame. My son was born at LICH about 1 1/2 yrs ago. The doctors and nurses at LICH were amazing. Patient, friendly and professional. The delivery ward had been renovated in the last 5 years, so the facilities are great. My wife's OB left the hospital about 6 months ago. Now I know why. It's too bad, they were all doing a great job. Continuum should be forced out of the hospital business for putting profits over patients.

Posted by: Knickerbocker at July 31, 2008 9:49 AM in response to LICH Selling Off More Cobble Hill Buildings

Money, meet pit.

Posted by: Knickerbocker at July 29, 2008 6:33 PM in response to House of the Day: 112 Lefferts Place

I liked Yassky until I met him in person. I once saw him speak and was somewhat impressed with him. However, I saw him pressing flesh at Atlantic Antic 2 years ago, and mentioned in a very neutral manner that I had seen him speak. His response was something like "I hope you don't dislike me now." I was really taken back by this self-deprecating attitude out of a politician.

I believe he is a glass is half empty type and is bitter about the way he was treated as the white outsider when he ran for Congress. I know politics is a dirty game, and maybe I am reading too much into his comments, but I think he is way too young to be so fatalistic.

Posted by: Knickerbocker at July 24, 2008 12:10 PM in response to Yassky Weighs in on Saint Ann's Probation Office Affair

Willow wins due to proximity to subway and other amenities. It's a bit of a schlep to get anything up in the Heights 'fruit salad' district.

Also I am no fan of the the re-bricked up facade on Cranberry. I don't think it's proper to call that building a brownstone now.

Posted by: Knickerbocker at July 23, 2008 2:15 PM in response to Houses of the Day: Head-to-Head in The Heights

Save the Robots was the only really good EV club in the 80-90s. Free drinks until 10pm and a fun crowd of intelligent people. Glad to hear the owner is thinking of opening a club in the area.

See you there.

Posted by: Knickerbocker at July 15, 2008 11:32 AM in response to Another Gowanus Music Venue in the Works

And they wanted to put the Olympic village here? That would have been interesting. I wonder how many athletes would have flunked a drug test due to the unknown toxins in the air?

What's next? An eating contest at Fresh Kills? How about Dupont's Hudson river triathlon - first to swim, vomit and die wins a lifetime supply of teflon cookware.

Speaking of which - on an aside - why the hell are people still fishing in the Hudson and East River? I saw someone with a rod and reel in Brooklyn Bridge park two weeks ago. Sewage spills out near there when it rains. Enjoy your dinner!

People should not live anywhere near Newtown or Gowanus. I'm not some environmental nut job, but I do not understand why people are paying good $$ to live in these toxic areas.

Posted by: Knickerbocker at July 14, 2008 1:25 PM in response to Pols on Newtown: Superfund Us!

The better name for Gowanus is one that someone told me a few years ago:

Community Wedged between Caroll Gardens and Park Slope

a/k/a

CoW ChiPS

Let's see Corcoran sell that name.

Posted by: Knickerbocker at July 10, 2008 9:01 PM in response to House of the Day: 28 2nd Place