agreed with mr. b... a building like this ends up destroying the streetscape. So what if the building next to it is ugly? Why should we keep putting up cheap and ugly housing and not better our streets with nicer looking construction?

Posted by: SouthParker at April 3, 2009 12:45 PM in response to Horror Show Friday: 170 Clermont Avenue

11217, you must have had really bad luck! I know the type of people you're referring to but I haven't honestly ever met them in Williamsburg. That reminds me of some girl I met that lived in Murray Hill and worked a couple of blocks away. In the two years she had lived there, only once had she visited another neighborhood (west village); and yes, she had no clue about anything.

Posted by: SouthParker at March 11, 2009 3:34 PM in response to Development Watch: 111 Kent Avenue

The bedford stop is three blocks away. Granted, three long blocks but still... And the blocks of N 7th out to Kent Ave are perfectly nice residential blocks. I don't see what the problem is 11217

Posted by: SouthParker at March 11, 2009 3:14 PM in response to Development Watch: 111 Kent Avenue

I'm glad they're upgrading the mall. It will benefit the stores to have an influx of people that might not have come otherwise

Posted by: SouthParker at March 11, 2009 10:04 AM in response to Big Plans for Fulton Mall Makeover

I just wanted to let everyone know that Robert Guskind of gowanuslounge.com and editor at Curbed passed away. I was an avid reader of his and all I can say is that he will be sorely missed by all of us who made his blog and Brownstoner the first reads of the day. RIP http://tinyurl.com/dfphxs

Posted by: SouthParker at March 5, 2009 10:28 AM in response to Open Thread

bowlofdicks, were you there for the tweetup? I was supposed to go but got stuck at work...

Posted by: SouthParker at February 27, 2009 9:51 AM in response to Open Thread

Here's my suggestion regarding grades: wouldn't it be more useful if you averaged what the readers think of the various restaurants with actual reviews from respected sources (such as NY mag and others)? If only a few people comment on a particular place than the average will be heavily skewed. Also, people have different ideas on what 5 star means: some think "good food" others "on par with le bernardin". Same thing with 1 star reviews... Just my two cents.

Posted by: SouthParker at February 26, 2009 10:44 AM in response to Help Design the New Restaurants Section

Yes, I saw it too on Gothamist.. They even had a 360 degree of the place. http://gothamist.com/2009/02/25/brooklyn_sex_club_has_good_times_bu.php

Posted by: SouthParker at February 26, 2009 9:38 AM in response to Open Thread

those balconies are terrible. It's funny because there are so many buildings that could be just mediocre, were it not for their balconies...

Posted by: SouthParker at February 25, 2009 10:13 AM in response to 110 4th Avenue Starts Renting

If the 10 are members than they are free to choose which way they want to vote. The point is, it's more of a symbolic gesture than anything and they know it. Btw, there are people that refuse to buy anything made in China. Now, that's a challenge...

Posted by: SouthParker at February 20, 2009 9:41 AM in response to Proposed Ban Roiling Park Slope Co-op

The Food Coop is free to adopt any rules or measures it sees fit. They have members who are allowed to vote, so the issue will be decided one way or another. I don't understand why people get so riled up about decisions made by an entity that they have nothing to do with.

Posted by: SouthParker at February 20, 2009 9:22 AM in response to Proposed Ban Roiling Park Slope Co-op

I like your choices Benson, although I'm more of a hills of Tuscany guy...

Posted by: SouthParker at February 17, 2009 9:35 AM in response to Open Thread

Benson, you make a good point. People should be blaming themselves for blindly supporting politicians or worse, for being unaware of what their government is doing.

Posted by: SouthParker at February 12, 2009 10:35 AM in response to Speaker Quinn Bears Bad News for Real Estate Crowd

I certainly would hate to see Ratner getting ahead of more deserving projects but think about it, Atlantic Yards has the potential of being a blight on the neighborhood for decades to come. Who would that benefit?

Posted by: SouthParker at February 12, 2009 10:12 AM in response to Ratner Lobbying Hard for Stimulus Dollars

Rob, I know what you mean.. Although I currently live downtown Manhattan, I can't wait to go back to Park Slope. I was in such a better mood...

Posted by: SouthParker at February 11, 2009 4:38 PM in response to Closing Bell: Are You Happy to Call Brooklyn Home?

on the other hand, you could just place trees and other sizable plants in front of it to make it more appealing

Posted by: SouthParker at February 11, 2009 10:40 AM in response to How Unfortunate: 669 Classon Avenue

this is painful...

Posted by: SouthParker at February 11, 2009 10:37 AM in response to How Unfortunate: 669 Classon Avenue

so, now that I'm a landlord I get screwed again. great...

Posted by: SouthParker at February 3, 2009 11:46 AM in response to Democratic Assembly Passes Pro-Tenant Legislation

Rent regulation in New York is a joke. I'm all for helping families or individuals that don't make enough money to afford New York rents but no one has been able to explain to me how these laws actually help them. 10 years ago I was a recent immigrant and all I could find was a room in Bushwick for the same price someone I know (making 5 times what I was making) was paying for a 2 bedroom on the UWS...

Posted by: SouthParker at February 3, 2009 11:42 AM in response to Democratic Assembly Passes Pro-Tenant Legislation

katiebk, I think it's going to reach 42 stories...

Posted by: SouthParker at January 14, 2009 2:51 PM in response to Development Watch: Avalon Myrtle in High Gear

well, AndYouWillKnowUsbyTheTrailofRenters, that's my opinion and the opinion of friends who do live in the neighborhood. And, by the way, why not focus on saving the empire stores which, in my humble opinion, is the real problem?

Posted by: SouthParker at January 14, 2009 10:11 AM in response to CB2 To Vote Tonight on Dock Street

How can you be opposed to a building that is comparable in height to surrounding buildings, will provide low income housing AND a much needed school for the neighborhood? I understand the concern of some opponents, but you can't be opposed to something that in the end will prove to be a very good thing for DUMBO. Also, just think of what could happen if this piece of land falls into the wrong hands...

Posted by: SouthParker at January 14, 2009 9:55 AM in response to CB2 To Vote Tonight on Dock Street

Unfortunately, it could've been much. much worse...

Posted by: SouthParker at October 16, 2008 3:14 PM in response to Checking in on 138 Seeley

Pole: I was merely stating that it looks "out of scale" compared to the other buildings I see in the photo.. I should have noted that I'm not particularly familiar with the area and current zoning

Posted by: SouthParker at August 29, 2008 3:08 PM in response to Scarano-on-Fulton Finally Finishing Up

I agree with MrMinerva. There are far worse examples of ugly in Brooklyn. Honestly, I don't even think this building is that bad except for the fact that it's out of scale with the surrounding buildings...

Posted by: SouthParker at August 29, 2008 11:49 AM in response to Scarano-on-Fulton Finally Finishing Up

I moved to Brooklyn from Manhattan about nine years ago. When I decided to buy (late 2004) I found many more deals in Manhattan and Queens than in Brooklyn. Ultimately, I ended up realizing that my heart belongs to Brooklyn and decided to buy there. If you're not buying to invest, you're going to choose the place that makes you feel the most comfortable.

Posted by: SouthParker at August 12, 2008 10:28 AM in response to The Next New Brooklyn

I've been to Gondry's house in May and he was already settled in. Really nice detail and definitely one of the nicest on the block..

Posted by: SouthParker at July 14, 2008 11:26 AM in response to Eternal Sunshine of the East Williamsburg Kind