My dog is fascinated by the vertical astroturf.

Posted by: zgori at November 21, 2008 11:35 AM in response to Development Watch: 240 Atlantic Avenue Rising

Actually I think the "gage" -- the distance between the rails -- is the same on the IRT (numbered lines) as the BMT and IND (lettered lines). The cars are wider on the lettered lines though, meaning they hang further over the edges of the rails. Numbered trains could run on lettered lines, but there would be a huge gap between the platform and the car. Lettered trains would not fit on numbered lines because of the platform and tunnel clearances, but were it not for that they could use the same tracks.

For what it's worth, I like the really old F trains with the gray floors and seats and the yellow walls. I suppose their days are numbered though if the R160s are coming.

Posted by: zgori at November 10, 2008 2:37 PM in response to New F Trains Leaving the Station

I was under the impression that work was underway to rehab this station. You can see where they have already done some wall tiling, have removed a layer of the platform floor and I think there are new lights also. Hasn't been much progress for the last several weeks though.

Posted by: zgori at October 21, 2008 2:17 PM in response to For Dowtown Brooklyn to Thrive, Bring 370 Jay to Life

How about they tear it down, dig a big hole, surround it with mangled plywood, and then abandon it for a few years. Then it will fit in with its neighbors on the SE and SW corners of that same intersection.

Posted by: zgori at October 1, 2008 5:27 PM in response to Plans for HOD Go Forward

I was thinking about this on my bike ride in to the office this morning (downtown brooklyn over manhattan bridge and up first ave) -- running the usual gauntlet of double-parked trucks, blocked bike lanes, crazy taxis, etc.

I think what we need is a new team of "elite" traffic enforcement agents who focus exclusively on issuing citations for traffic flow issues. Currently, violations are issued primarily by traffic agents who spend most of their time writing tickets for double parking, expired meters, parking in no standing zones, blocking hydrants, etc. In many cases, the ones actually causing problems for bicyclists, pedestrians and other motorists, and often creating blind spots and bottlenecks (which, in turn, endanger bicyclists and pedestrians) are vehicles which are either immune, with placards, or get their tickets dismissed en mass. Most are never ticketed anyway.

So, I propose hiring specialized, trained DOT enforcement agents charged with enforcing the rules of the roads they create -- bike lanes, bus lanes, triple-parking, crosswalks, left turns from center lanes, blocking the box, etc. Just as DOB inspectors issue citations to those who violate DOB rules. They would be classified as non-moving violations, but would carry steep, punitive fines (maybe $300 and up). They would be different color and would not be subject to the same appeal process and bulk dismissals process as parking tickets. Give these agents a device that allows them to take a date- and time-stamped picture of the violation and files it electronically with each violation. Dispatch them on foot or on bikes or scooters to patrol high-incident areas. Maybe they wouldn't need to even stop moving violators -- just photograph, enter the plate, and let the system mail a citation.

NYPD has proved time and again that enforcing road rules simply isn't a priority. DOT has no teeth. The parking ticket people, while they perform an important function, simply aren't enough of a threat. Only by creating a new agency with real authority and a mission to clean things up can any progress be made towards bringing order to the streets.

Imagine what the roads would be like if the authorities managing them had a reputation of being efficient and ruthless with violators.

Posted by: zgori at September 10, 2008 11:56 AM in response to Brooklyn's Dangerous Intersections

"On high speed roadways, bike lanes are stupid. Riding a bike in the middle of high speed traffic is asking for trouble."

Agreed. The high-speed roadway should be eliminated.

Posted by: zgori at September 9, 2008 2:31 PM in response to Brooklyn's Dangerous Intersections

Yes, yes, bikers are assholes, pedestrians don't look where they're going, etc, etc. But the reason people die is because cars don't yield when they are supposed to. They run red lights and they park in bike lanes. DOT can design streets and intersections to be as people-friendly as possible -- and frankly in this case they've done about as good a job as can be expected, with bike lanes the whole length of Adams and protected left-turn lanes with dedicated signals. But the cops don't enforce any of the rules and so chaos prevails. The bike lanes are mostly unusable (when I ride toward the bridge, I usually do so in the express lanes because the bike lane is *always* blocked in front of the Marriott and the high school). Cars speed and jockey for position and don't give way to pedestrians with a walk sign (particularly bad is the cross walk across Atlantic on the east side). Delivery trucks and placard holders park wherever they want with total immunity, creating dangerous blindspots and bottlenecks.

Frankly, the only thing that's going to change any of this is a cultural shift in the NYPD. Oh, and congestion pricing probably would have helped.

Posted by: zgori at September 9, 2008 12:00 PM in response to Brooklyn's Dangerous Intersections

I used All Star moving a few years ago and everything went smoothly. I know others who have had good experiences with them as well. See movingscam.com for what appear to be unbiased reviews and comments. They also have a thread on tipping.

Posted by: zgori at August 28, 2008 4:32 PM in response to Ballpark cost for move & tipping movers?

I like Cadman Plaza. There's a lovely three-days-a-week green market at the south end, and a newly restored park at the north that gets a lot of use by joggers, soccer players, kids, dog walkers, runners, and tourists which stumble off the bridge. It's surrounded by mostly attractive civic buildings including a post office, library and one or more branches of every possible bank. The middle section (between Johnson and Tillary?) is a bit run down and segregated from the other sections, but it wouldn't be expensive to spruce it up and connect it better.

Posted by: zgori at August 27, 2008 10:53 AM in response to Restoring Downtown Brooklyn to Its Former Grandeur

I'm no expert, but shouldn't they be pointing the water at the part that's got flames?

Posted by: zgori at August 15, 2008 12:10 PM in response to Access-A-Ride Van Burns Up on 8th Avenue

I use zipcar for certain things, like groceries or local errands, and Avis for others, like trips. Zipcar is not a car rental. It is car sharing. You have to think of it like the subway or a yellow cab -- as a form a public transportation which is made somewhat less pleasant than it could be by the rude actions of other users. Just as with those other forms of transit, it should not be counted on as 100 percent reliable. The car may not be there when it's supposed to be and may not be up to your standards. That's just the way it is.

If you need a guaranteed clean, low-mileage car waiting for you, you have to pay extra for a car rental from a (usually more) reliable company like Avis or Hertz.

And I second Fire Alarm Guy. Never, ever get out of your car on the highway. It's crazy dangerous.

Posted by: zgori at August 4, 2008 3:58 PM in response to zipcar is deceptive please read

Other Cambria Suites around the country have pretty good reviews on tripadvisor.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Search?q=cambria+suites&sub-search=Go

Posted by: zgori at August 4, 2008 3:09 PM in response to DOB Green-Lights Cambria Suites Hotel on Schermerhorn

That parking lot is particularly ugly, even as parking lots go, and it will be nice to see it gone.

I always see this site referred to as 75 Schermerhorn, not as whatever the corresponding Livingston address would be. Does that imply the hotel will face Schermerhorn?

Posted by: zgori at August 4, 2008 2:23 PM in response to DOB Green-Lights Cambria Suites Hotel on Schermerhorn

I don't know much about plumbing code, but I think they make a charcoal filter for vent pipes that can be used if odors are a problem. My family looked into one when the neighbors complained about a septic field vent at our cottage in New Hampshire. No idea if they work or if this is an appropriate use -- just mentioning that they exist.

Posted by: zgori at July 30, 2008 3:37 PM in response to Sewer venting through roof deck

Is this across from the movie theater? Could do quite well there. Though I will note that a Ben & Jerry's around the corner on Atlantic didn't survive long.

Posted by: zgori at July 29, 2008 10:51 AM in response to Korean-Style Yogurt Pays Big Bucks for Court Street

Contact robridgeenterprises@gmail.com for more info if you are looking for a smile, courtesy and professionalism and of course very affordable rates without compromising the importance of your move!

Posted by: robridge enterprises at September 28, 2008 3:55 PM in response to Ballpark cost for move & tipping movers?

I used them once and canceled my membership the next day!
better yet, the customer service said nothing, no appology no "I will refund your money" and that was it!
When I picked up the car it was dirty the brakes made a horrible sound and there was popcorn all over the inside of the car, receipts, dirt and oh boy a smell ....

The price was way too high. I usually deal with Enterprise in Bensonhurst. The people are grat, the cars are clean. Once I even said I had to buy clorox wipes cause the inside was a bit dirty and they reimburssed me for it!
The lower the prices and give you upgrades if you are a loyal customer too.

I love them, especially Christine and Rich

Posted by: karo25 at October 24, 2008 11:06 AM in response to zipcar is deceptive please read

Used Allied Van Lines (http://www.allied.com) - Overall, the move was really good.

Posted by: sashment at November 7, 2008 3:52 PM in response to Ballpark cost for move & tipping movers?