Brownstoner -- You've been snowed by local groups like "stop bhod." People have a knee-jerk reaction to the idea that there's a jail in their midst. They think, if there's a jail, there must be criminals, and criminals are bad, so jails are bad. But the fact remains that this neighborhood has thrived over the last couple of decades in spite of the jail. Property values have risen. Local stores and restaurants and bars, etc., have opened and closed and opened again and done quite well. The worst thing about the jail, is that it interupts the flow of commercial storefronts, which wouldn't be quite as bad if that terrible rental building at Atlantic and Court didn't do the exact same thing.

Yassky and Thompson and Squadron are in the pockets of a few rich folks who live on State St. This issue is stupid and ought to go away.

Posted by: mattt at November 20, 2008 2:17 PM in response to Saying No to House of D

I assume the Carroll Gardens # is brought down a little by Columbia and Red Hook, some of which is pricey and some of which is not. One would expect Cobble Hill to counteract the drag that Red Hook has on the Carroll Gardens #s, so if I had to guess, I'd guess that Cobble Hill is included in Brooklyn Heights, where the zip code splits from 11201 to 11231, which according to this map, is at Kane. http://www.usnaviguide.com/zip.htm.

Posted by: mattt at October 31, 2008 11:24 AM in response to Sheepshead Bay: Fifth Most Luxurious Neighborhood

As long as the kids stay off my bocce court while I'm rolling, and the parents don't mind my swearing every now and then, its all fine with me... the kiddies can drink up.

Posted by: mattt at October 30, 2008 2:05 PM in response to Wednesday Food & Drink Round-Up

I haven't bought, but I went to look last Sunday. Seems like a nice building. The block, however, is a mess. Looks like construction across the street will be going on for a while.

Posted by: mattt at October 29, 2008 11:21 AM in response to Checking In On 475 Sterling

Doesn't seem like Ideal is any great shakes either. The apartments aren't going to rent at those prices either.

Posted by: mattt at October 27, 2008 12:40 PM in response to The Clermont Reborn As Rentals

Degentrification? Gowanus Lounge? I don't think you all realize how awesome a vietnamese sandwich can be. As a devoted Hanco's patron, you 7th ave folks should count yourselves very very lucky.

Posted by: mattt at October 15, 2008 4:37 PM in response to Streetlevel: Banh Mi for the Old Tea Lounge?

Went to one of the meetings for one of the groups that are trying to stop the expansion just to see what the fuss was about. What a bunch of assholes. They dress up their argument as being about crime and human rights for the inmates, when all they're really worried about is property values (which won't be affected by this at all) and not wanting people who visit people in jail wandering through the neighborood (i.e. property values again). Screw them. Its the city's property, it makes sense for them to use it for the same purpose they've been using it for, and if it includes street-side retail (which I think every building that fronts Atlantic Avenue should be required to include), so much the better.

Posted by: mattt at October 1, 2008 11:44 AM in response to Plans for HOD Go Forward

Another wine bar for Smith Street? I think Sample and the Jake Walk are plenty, especially once you consider that Black Mountain is just over on Hoyt, Donna Da Vine on Atlantic and the Clover Club (not a wine bar, but still). Enough already.

Now the bbq place, that is a damn fine idea.

Posted by: mattt at August 20, 2008 1:52 PM in response to Wednesday Food & Drink Round-Up