duckwalk's Profile
- Don
- 1993
- 2006
- Brooklyn
- Cobble Hill
- Condo
- Educator
- Male
- 40 Something
Author's Posts
July 25, 2008
Outdoor painting needed
I'm looking for someone who can tackle an outdoor paint job on a 9-unit brick condo building in Cobble Hill/Carroll Gardens.
The building was built in 1988, so it's not old but there are parts of it that haven't received a coat of paint since it was built.
The paint work would include cornice, railings, fence and gate, window frames, door frames, and some woodwork in the back of the house.
The biggest problem is the rear elevation is almost 4 stories high and I don't know how anyone will get to it unless they are a mountaineer.
If anyone can recommend a good exterior painter to give an estimate I would appreciate the lead.
Thanks.
January 8, 2008
Where to Start with Renovations
I am the owner of a floor-through condo in Carroll Gardens. It's a top floor unit and I've owned it for 11 years. I'm finally in a financial position where I can start to consider upgrading the place (it was built in the mid-1980's and has the original bathrooms, kitchen, floors, etc. All of these were nice in the 1980's but look a little tired and dated today.
The way I see it, there are 5 possible projects I can invest in, knowing that I see myself owning the place for at least 6 - 10 more years. I'm looking for advice on which order to do things and/or which project will hold the most value at resale.
A. Replace Master Bath off of larger bedroom. Con: The smallest square footage and the one that is least likely to be seen by friends/visitors. Pro: I'll get the most use out of it.
B. The main bathroom: Pro: Friends will be impressed and construction will be the least disruptive to my day-today life. Con: It's used mainly by the cats and the occasional guest.
C. Redo the kitchen: Pro: The cabinets are awful (I hate them), the stove and fridge are at least 20 years old. The countertop is beige formica. Con: We have an open-plan kitchen-livingroom and it will be hell to live through the work. And I could probably spend as much on the kitchen as I paid for the condo 11 years ago.
D. Install central air and get rid of three wall units. Pro: I have roof rights, so I have a place to put the compressor and the apartment has high ceilings, so ductwork won't be a problem. Con: I don't know anyone who has done this yet so I don't know what I'm getting myself in to.
E. Invest in a roof deck. Pro: The roof is mine, I might as well use it. Con: Why should I think I want to sit on the roof now after 11 years in the apartment.
I'd be really grateful for any comments you have on where I should start. I'd love to do it all at once, but that's not practical.
Author's Comments
The building, now known as Wunsch Hall, was build as the 2nd Free Congregational Church in 1846. In 1854, it became home of the Bridge Street A.W.M.E. congregation which is the oldest Black congregation in Brooklyn. The Bridge Street A.W.M.E. Church was said to be a stop on the underground railroad. Oral history says that fugituve slaves were hidden in the basement on their way to the docks to catch ships to Canada. The Bridge Street Congregation moved to Bed-Stuy in 1938 and the building was used for a number of uses, including a Baptist church, postcard factory, warehouse, and political meeting hall, until Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn bought it in 1968. They used it as classrooms and the headquarters for ROTC until 1979 when it became the school's student center. It was completely renovated on the inside in 1995. Today it is NYU-Poly's admissions office. It is a NYC landmark and on the National Registry of Historic Places.
Posted by: duckwalk at August 11, 2008 8:11 PM in response to Closing Bell: The Rebranding of Polytechnic
In order for a park to be sustainable (in these modern times) it has to have a revenue stream and a reason for people to want to go. There is little doubt that the Brooklyn Bridge Park is well located and will probably be popular BUT it will need amenities. A store like Garden of Eden or Dean and DeLuca would be a very practical addition for both the residents and users of the park. I can think of a lot worse things they could put there (like a liquor store or yet another Rite Aid).
Posted by: duckwalk at January 11, 2008 12:38 PM in response to Latest BBP Brouhaha: A Supermarket in the Park