Back in the 1930s, my mother worked as a nanny/mother's helper in the household of a German engineer and his family on Sidney Place. She remembered that the house next to the one she was living in was on the market at the time for $9,500. I asked her why she didn't buy it (I was very young), and she told me that the price was 'a fortune' in those days.

Posted by: marty362 at November 18, 2009 8:33 PM in response to House of the Day: 22 Sidney Place

We did this 10 years ago. Finished the basement (20 x 30) with a new bathroom (w. shower, sink/vanity, toilet), laundry room/ utility room (gas boiler, gas water heater, washer and dryer), 20 X 19 family room lined with closets, new walls, sub-flooring and new sound-insulated drywall ceiling. I paid for all materials. The contractor charged me $28K. He was excellent to work with and we are very happy with the results. BTW, the only question he had for me was when I was going to get rid of the asbestos (he would not touch the job until I got rid of it). He brought in a couple of young plumbers who tore up the concrete floor to connect the bathroom to the waste line. That was the part that really scared me. I do not recommend you try it yourself.

Posted by: marty362 at November 18, 2009 8:26 PM in response to Cost of Bathroom in Basement

When I was growing up in the 1950's on 43rd Street above 4th Avenue, I always considered that I lived in Bay Ridge. In fact, St. Michael's RC Church on 4th Avenue & 42nd Street was always referred to as 'St. Michaels - Bay Ridge' to distinguish it from another church with the same name in downtown Brooklyn.

Geographically, the actual 'ridge' begins along 36th Street where the land rises up to form a ridge (moraine), peaked at 60th Street, and continued south almost to the Narrows.

The change in political nomenclature came about in the 1960s. In the late '60s and early '70s, the federal government declared the area around Sunset Park a Poverty Zone because of the influx of poor Hispanics. The older residents of the area resented this label as it had an obvious negative connotation and did affect real estate values. The residents of the OLPH parish neighborhood never forgave then-Congressman Hugh Carey for this little bit of federal largesse.

The 'Al Smith Democratic' residents of the 70s and 80s began calling the neighborhood to their north 'Sunset Park' and redefined 'Bay Ridge' as that area to the south that was not in the federal Poverty Zone. Simple rule at the time: if an Puerto Rican lived on the block, it wasn't Bay Ridge.

Posted by: marty362 at September 1, 2009 9:41 PM in response to P.S. 971 Rising

My wife and I opened our dining room to our deck about 4 years ago. No architect. Our very good contractor did everything. He knocked out the two windows and put in a steel beam.

My advice: forget the floor-to-ceiling folding doors and use Andersen sliding doors with a matching transom. You'll get the same result with a lot less trouble and tons of natural light. Go on the Andersen website for the specs. They have a good variety of sizes and styles. They all come with sliding screens (a must in Brooklyn). We got the better grade (wood inside, vinyl outside), 72" x 80" with the 12" transom. We bought everything at Window World(?)on the corner of 60th Street and 8th Ave. Very good price.

Think about privacy inside (drapes, curtains, shades, etc.) and security outside (roll-down vinyl shutters or hurricane-type storm-shutters). You'll need a plumber to move the radiator to one side or both sides. Finally, when you lose the windows, give some thought to where you will install an air conditioner in the future.

We had a deck behind our house when we moved in and it showed on our survey. We replaced the old deck, but did it without an architect because it a simple deck and legally grandfathered in. The neighbors were impressed and never complained. You might want to replace the concrete pavement behind your house before you build the deck.

Good luck.

Posted by: marty362 at May 3, 2009 3:59 PM in response to Opening the rear wall for a deck

Since this is a roof drain, the problem could be a build-up of silt in the pipe. Silt is the particles of 'dust' that build up on the roof. The silt flows off the roof with the rain water and settles in any low point in the drain pipe. Over time they cause a partial blockage of the pipe. The silt gets as hard as concrete and does not respond to the regular Roto-Rooter type equipment. They may have to use a 'jet' cleaner that builds up pressure in the line and flushes the silt out to the sewer. This type of cleaning will cost more ($250?) but is well worth it because you will never need it again (at least not in your lifetime).

Posted by: marty362 at April 11, 2009 5:23 PM in response to washer drain and rain pipe issue

I have lived on Bliss Terrace for almost 20 years. I have walked my dog in Owl's Head Park for the last 10 years, day and night. I have had no problem with gangs or crime, ever.

The park gets crowded on summer Sundays, but that's a good thing. The Parks Department crew keeps it pretty clean also. There are a lot of dog walkers in the area and they help keep it safe. although some don't clean up like they should.

BTW, the entrance to the park at the corner of Colonial Road and 68th Street is decorated with the original iron gates from the Jacob Bliss estate. Look for the 'JB' crest.

As far as the Sewage Treatment Plant, it is a lot better now then when I first moved in. I have to call EPA a couple of times a year, but they are responsive.

Posted by: marty362 at March 13, 2009 6:35 PM in response to owls' head park

We did this about 8 years ago and I have two questions for you before you begin: (1) have you ever had any water in the basement, and (2) is there any asbestos?

One thing we did that you should consider is replacing the old cold water feed and steam heat return before they are buried in any new walls. You don't want them failing after the job is finished.

Posted by: marty362 at January 8, 2009 6:47 PM in response to Estimates for Cellar Renovations

Excuse my ignoraqnce, but where do you look for the DOB regulations regarding 'decks?' I have a deck behind my house. It replaced an older deck that is on the survey for my house. I would like to enlarge the deck, but I am unsure of the legal ramifications of doing it. I figure that the existing deck is covered under the existing survey. Do I need an architect to expand the deck? Do I need a permit?

Posted by: marty362 at July 22, 2008 3:38 PM in response to When is a deck a deck?

You really have to dig through the site to find the address. I finally located it on the 'Contact Us' page. Poor website design.

Posted by: marty362 at June 12, 2008 3:56 PM in response to A Look Inside the New Brooklyn Children's Museum

Lopopolo on McDonald Avenue. They're very busy but very good.

Posted by: marty362 at May 23, 2008 3:19 PM in response to Iron Gates and Handrails

Rogenkamp in Bay Ridge; you'll pay a little more but you'll never regret it.

Posted by: marty362 at May 23, 2008 3:15 PM in response to New Roof

Is this the apartment they used in 'Prizzi's Honor'?

Posted by: marty362 at April 29, 2008 5:54 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 1 Pierrepont Street

renomandru...all you need is one neighbor to get pissed at you and call 311 and you will nailed and issued a stop work order with the 5000 fine and attendant headaches...do not cheap out and try to game the system...the dob has been converted into a fee generator under bloomberg, more about generating violations than insuring safety...sorry to be a downer, but hire an architect that you trust to file

Posted by: eman1234 at January 8, 2009 9:17 PM in response to Estimates for Cellar Renovations

Renomandru,

Its a really bad idea to not file a job that involves your (probably shared) foundation. Its almost impossible to know what you are going to find when you start digging.

The main issues:
1. You should have the right insurance for something this risky. If you don't file and tell the insurance company ahead of time, you probably won't be covered if you damage your neighbor's homes.

2. The kinds of damage that can happen cannot be repaired easily and might not be repairable at all.

3. What eman1234 said.

Posted by: thecomputerguy at January 9, 2009 12:03 AM in response to Estimates for Cellar Renovations

deetrane

We used http://www.scordio.com/index.htm

Like others have said this is NOT something you can do with out using properly licensed,insured and experienced contractors and you must have all the requisite DOB permits.

Over the years old row houses settle/move and often all lean slightly on each other. The top of our house is approximately two inches inside our lot line and the integrity of the foundation is paramount. Both side walls are party walls with your neighbors (ours was brick but their side wall was timber) and underpinning needs to be done slowly, properly and carefully.

If this is done poorly the catastrophe that could occur is mind boggling and would open up an endless round of litigation.

Posted by: 99luftballons at January 9, 2009 12:01 PM in response to Estimates for Cellar Renovations

I appreciate all of the well-meaning and well-informed cautionary tales.

I agree that messing with foundations on townhouses in NYC is a business for licensed pro's armed with a permit.

If you are not impacting the foundation, and don't need underpinnings, however, the risks of lowering the basement floor are significantly less.

I currently have 3 permits plastered to my front door but during the past 7 months I have seen absolutely no other permits in my immediate neighborhood with plenty of substantial work going on.

In the tonier parts of Brooklyn, it seems one does nothing without an architect, licensed contractors, permits, structural engineer, interior designer, lawyer, dog walker, etc.

In poorer areas, much renovation work will not follow protocol because it would simply not be affordable or justifiable. One takes risks but they are calculated risks.

In old school Brooklyn (and other boroughs), you build relationship with your neighbors, share tools, know-how, and contractors, and look the other way when necessary. When I tell my neighbors I actually hired an architect for the minimal work I am doing, they react with amusement or surprise. I feel like I have to justify it.

And now that the money is tight, I have to justify it to myself. Let those fingers wag.

Posted by: renomandru at January 9, 2009 3:05 PM in response to Estimates for Cellar Renovations

99luftballoons-can you post pics of the project?

Posted by: housebywe at January 11, 2009 10:28 AM in response to Estimates for Cellar Renovations

I did this as part of my renovation 2 years ago. Basically I had the dirt dug out to the
bottom of the footing, netting me 8" of additional ht, leaving me with a 7'2" ceiling ht.
In the major reno I made sure that all pipes and ducts were located along the bearing
beam or at the far side wall. Also once the floor was poured I had the brick walls
powerwashed to get rid of paint and exposing original brick -- including all the brick piers.

Only this year did I finish the space. I installed brazilean walnut floating floor, 8" base
along the brick (to cover the ugly brick that was below grade), and a few sections
of baseboard electric heat. The reason I went electric is that the space is not used
alot --- I currently call it the NFL lounge --- and my preferred heat -- radiant --
would not be cost effective given the time it would take to bring the floor up to temp.
That being said, I wish I had gone radiant as the floor does feel cold if you spend
much time there.

One other thing I did was install a skylight as the access door in the coal chute area
the opens to the front stoop area --- so I actually get some natural light down there.

My best guestimate of the cost to date is $30K. Given that I got 700sqft of living space
it works out to $43/sq ft --- a worthwhile investment in my mind.

Next project is a small 6'x6' corner bar.

Posted by: daroogle at January 11, 2009 11:04 AM in response to Estimates for Cellar Renovations

Italiana, Marty, thank you for the smell info! I guess this is going to be something we need to think about. The brooklyn eagle did use some pretty strong adjectives to describe it (gagging and nauseating come to mind).

On the other hand it may not be a big deal if it only happens once or twice a year.

I'll have to check out the park gates when I am there on Saturday.

Posted by: _oa_ at March 13, 2009 7:41 PM in response to owls' head park

marty362: Correction: "Eliphalet Bliss" and EB on the gate.

See:
http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_your_park/historical_signs/hs_historical_sign.php?id=151

for information about the estate (and a link to info about the park).

Posted by: SenatorStreet at March 15, 2009 9:16 AM in response to owls' head park

_oa_ --> re the odors: sometimes there is a problem. The plant and the city are currently in the process of covering the "digesters" -- the main source of the problem.

As with any city contract, this is a slow process. I believe that it is scheduled for completion in a year or so.

Call the local community board and ask them about the plant issues. They are very helpful. CB-10: (718) 745-6827.

Posted by: SenatorStreet at March 15, 2009 9:20 AM in response to owls' head park

SenatorStreet: thank you for info!

Posted by: _oa_ at March 17, 2009 6:05 PM in response to owls' head park