i agree with 12:43. i love this little block. there are a few "nice" (in the traditional sense) spots in williamsburg that i can appreciate and would love to see remain intact.

Posted by: janelle at September 21, 2007 1:12 PM in response to Push to Make Burg's Fillmore Place a Historic District

"These resolutely ordinary buildings aren't worthy of this status just because they're better than their totally banal surroundings."

this statement is completely unfair, possibly even classist. north brooklyn was a historically working-class neighborhood that never had quite as much (or quite as nice) architecture as wealthier south brooklyn. i don't think that's grounds for writing it off, it's still important to the neighborhood's history. it's more than fair to consider this block's relevance contextually, relative to the neighborhood and not necessarily all of brooklyn.

Posted by: janelle at September 21, 2007 1:31 PM in response to Push to Make Burg's Fillmore Place a Historic District

I used to live at this corner in an apartment building (stabilized rental, mostly young people and Pratt students), about a year and a half ago I moved out. The neighborhood was fine, I never felt unsafe, with the exception of one run-in with an unstable woman at the Classon G station. However I do agree with the fist commenter that it depends on how close you are to Grand (vs. Classon).

The neighborhood seemed to be improving in terms of amenities right about the time I moved away, with the opening of Choice Market, and I think it has potential to be a strong commercial pocket for Clinton Hill. It's a convenient location for some very near key amenities (groceries, laundry, dry cleaner) but not overly commercial and still very residential. The proximity to the Clinton Hill historic district (west of Grand) strikes me as a huge plus factor. If you are looking to buy within the historic district, that is a beautiful block.

My one complaint about the neighborhood is transporation-related: at night the Clinton Avenue exit of the C-W stop is locked, meaning you have to either walk from Washington Avenue, or take the train to Classon. Classon/Lafayette always struck me as somewhat dodgy.

I strongly suggest you spend some time walking around the neighborhood and getting a feel for it, particularly in the evenings and at night.

Posted by: janelle at January 9, 2008 4:51 PM in response to Clifton Place & Grand Area-ClintHill

looks nice so far! i am not often in the neighborhood, but i should make more of an effort to meet up with friends from this part of BK. this could be the perfect incentive.

Posted by: janelle at January 31, 2008 4:51 PM in response to StreetLevel: Weather Up on Vanderbilt

i agree w/ #1. somewhat related, about a year or two ago i spotted what appeared to be a pilot recycling bin program on the jay street A/C/F platform. it was filled with trash in no time. however, it was a bit of a walk to the nearest trash can on the platform, and some people are too lazy or too much of a hurry to walk over to it. they should be side-by-side, in that instance.

Posted by: janelle at February 15, 2008 5:08 PM in response to Closing Bell: Dumbo Goes Green

too bad it's going. could make a nice conversion. yes it's going to cost more to do the construction, but sometimes i wish developers would consider the benefits - you can market having something that other bland developments don't. in the long run it could even bring in more revenue. i personally would rather spend a little more for a nice conversion (assuming i could afford it) rather than a cheaper comparable apartment that's all new. but that's just me.

Posted by: janelle at March 25, 2008 12:17 PM in response to Development Watch: 1124 Bedford Ave

"Is there even a store in Brooklyn that sells $500 pairs of shoes?"

Soula on Smith Street had some $585 boots last fall that caught my eye... until I saw the price tag.

Posted by: janelle at April 3, 2008 11:20 AM in response to Sex and the Brooklyn

"Wow, what an amazing job of bringing buildings back from the dead."

"So glad these weren't knocked down and replaced with a people warehouse box thing."

ditto and ditto

Posted by: janelle at May 6, 2008 11:44 AM in response to 420 Classon Avenue: Waiting for the Lottery Results

forgetting to eat breakfast before leaving the house just got less annoying if i can pop into choice on my way to the office. looking forward to some lunch options, as well.

Posted by: janelle at July 21, 2008 3:16 PM in response to Streetlevel: Choice Empire Expanding to Dumbo's J Condo

i've enjoyed the shows the last couple years, but now it's time to turn it back into a pool. the shows were fun and a great temporary use of the space, but an actual pool will be of greater benefit to the wider part of the community (skinny jeans set included). the real shame in the situation is that the pool wasn't re-opened as a pool sooner. congrats jelly NYC for their efforts and for taking the pool party brand on the road.

Posted by: janelle at August 1, 2008 9:57 AM in response to Draining the Pool of its Party