zinka's Profile
Author's Posts
August 14, 2009
Motorcycle Gangs on Fulton St?
Can anyone explain to me what's the deal with the motorcycle gangs roaming up and down Fulton Street on the weekends? I see them revving their engines, riding on the left side of the double yellow, pulling wheelies, and I just don't get it. Where did they come from, why are they here, and what am I missing? Something to do with Habana Outpost?
June 13, 2009
Scopello in Fort Greene
Just putting the word out that the owner of Scopello, on Lafayette Ave in Fort Greene, drives his motorcycle like a maniac, including on the sidewalk, terrorizing pedestrians. When asked about it, he didn't apologize; he seemed to think this was normal behavior.
I recommend that other Brooklynites join me in not eating at this restaurant. (Also, I hear the food isn't very good.)
January 30, 2009
What's up at Flatbush & 7th?
There's a big construction project in the middle of the intersection near the triangle. Anyone know what's going on? A subway thing, perhaps?
July 21, 2008
Reasonable electrician rate
I have an estimate from an electrician for a bunch of work that will take about 3 days for 2-3 people. He's charging hourly at $70/hr per person, plus supplies. This is a small electrical firm, and the job will be done by him and a couple of helpers. He is licensed and insured.
Is this at all a reasonable rate? Or should I negotiate?
July 12, 2008
What happened to Lil Pig Market?
What happened to the Lil Pig Market at Lafayette and South Elliott, next to the Smoke Joint? It seems to have been turned into overflow seating for Smoke Joint. This is sad, because I think Smoke Joint is bad and Lil Pig is/was good. Is it coming back?
April 30, 2008
Need someone to sew (and maybe install) curtains
I have picked out fabric that I want made into curtains. They are to cover a large window approximately 8' x 8'.
Can anyone recommend someone to do this, and/or what this should cost? Thanks!
April 1, 2008
How much does wallpaper installation cost?
I have wallpaper ordered, and a recommendation for an installer (hanger), but no idea how to judge his estimate.
I'm doing two small (5'x7') bathrooms, and one 15' long hallway. The walls are new and are primed.
Any ideas? Thanks!
March 31, 2008
One Hanson retail update?
Has anyone heard an update about what will go into this space?
As far as I know, the rumored Borders plan is dead.
February 11, 2008
Recommend painter?
Sorry for mispost. Can anyone recommend a painter who does good, neat work quickly and for a reasonable price?
January 28, 2008
Recommend floor inspector?
I am looking for an inspector to accompany me to the walk-through of my new apartment. It's new construction, but I have particular concerns about the floor, so someone who is knowledgeable about floors but also competent in general would be great. Thanks!
Author's Comments
Is this the old building with the weird extension and ugly balconies, or the hideous monstrosity on the right?
Posted by: zinka at November 5, 2009 11:41 AM in response to Price Cuts at 156 Pulaski Street
Unfortunately Myrtle is very far away from this part of the neighborhood. Park Slope is closer.
Posted by: zinka at November 4, 2009 12:01 PM in response to Streetlevel: New Restaurant Coming to 723 Fulton Street
What a waste of a storefront. We have far too many hair and nails places already, and not a single place to get a decent cup of coffee.
Posted by: zinka at November 2, 2009 2:26 PM in response to Streetlevel: A Beauty Salon for Fulton
We have good Indian? Where?
Posted by: zinka at November 2, 2009 12:59 PM in response to Streetlevel: New Restaurant Coming to 723 Fulton Street
Joya? Or a different Thai restaurant?
Posted by: zinka at October 30, 2009 5:06 PM in response to Streetlevel: New Restaurant Coming to 723 Fulton Street
denton, I wish I could believe you, but having spent time on a friend's terrace which was on the other side of the Prospect Expressway between 8th and PPW, I can attest that it was really loud and gross.
Posted by: zinka at October 30, 2009 1:16 PM in response to Mattress Company Out, CoHousing Up In the Air
This seemed like a bad location for cohousing anyway. How many people interested in communal living and the environment would want to live RIGHT NEXT TO THE HIGHWAY? Noise, fumes, gross environment...
Posted by: zinka at October 30, 2009 11:47 AM in response to Mattress Company Out, CoHousing Up In the Air
Why do you assume everyone drives? This is a city, not a suburb.
Agreed this block is kind of a clusterf**k, though, and will be until the city makes PPW two ways.
Posted by: zinka at October 29, 2009 2:43 PM in response to House of the Day: 902 Union Street
Yuck. We don't need to encourage douches to move to the 'hood.
Posted by: zinka at October 29, 2009 2:41 PM in response to Streetlevel: Sports Bar for Fulton
A civilized city is one that is NOT designed for cars. Alleys and curb cuts de-civilize the city.
Posted by: zinka at October 28, 2009 10:15 AM in response to 97 St. Marks Avenue Update
Parking lot? No thanks! I live in a city because I want to live in a city, not a suburb!
Posted by: zinka at October 27, 2009 3:39 PM in response to StreetLevel: Pediatrics Office Coming to 4th Ave
11217, this immediate area could use a good grocery and some more restaurants and cafes. Sure, there's some stuff on 5th. But more retail space means lower retail rents means more variety of tenants and lower prices for the consumer. At least in theory. Plus, Gorilla has lines out the door!
Posted by: zinka at October 27, 2009 2:44 PM in response to StreetLevel: Pediatrics Office Coming to 4th Ave
Denton doesn't even have the term right. What he thinks he means is "community facility," not "community service". But he's wrong, and I wish he'd stop saying this wrong thing over and over again.
Posted by: zinka at October 27, 2009 2:42 PM in response to StreetLevel: Pediatrics Office Coming to 4th Ave
denton, unfortunately, you are wrong on this and I have tried to correct you several times before. It's simply NOT TRUE. The zoning is R8A with a C2-4 overlay. C2-4 permits retail. Look it up if you don't believe me.
Posted by: zinka at October 27, 2009 2:39 PM in response to StreetLevel: Pediatrics Office Coming to 4th Ave
Rob, it is zoned for retail.
Posted by: zinka at October 27, 2009 2:39 PM in response to StreetLevel: Pediatrics Office Coming to 4th Ave
Meh. 4th Ave needs retail, not doctors' offices!
Posted by: zinka at October 27, 2009 2:33 PM in response to StreetLevel: Pediatrics Office Coming to 4th Ave
Yeah, curb cuts are not allowed in 20' wide lots in R6B, so even if landmarks did approve, DOB still shouldn't grant the permit. So it's odd to see DOB referring them to landmarks.
Posted by: zinka at October 27, 2009 10:39 AM in response to 97 St. Marks Avenue Update
zinka wrote a review about Bati on October 26, 2009 2:29 PM
Went once. Never again! The injera (bread) was cold and flavorless, the food was bland and expensive, and the service was off. Ghenet on 4th Ave is way better. There's no reason to ever eat at this place.
Stimulus funds at the Manhattan Bridge entrance? You gotta be kidding. What project there got them?
I don't know of any retail in this area either (besides McDonald's). Do you?
Posted by: zinka at October 21, 2009 1:18 PM in response to Development Watch: 177 Concord Street Getting There
Now they just have to find some suckers willing to live in this atrocious location...
Posted by: zinka at October 20, 2009 4:33 PM in response to Development Watch: 177 Concord Street Getting There
bklyn20, I think you're extremely confused about where we're talking about. This is Clinton Hill, not Flatbush.
Posted by: zinka at October 16, 2009 12:14 PM in response to Meeting About Special Lefferts Rezoning Request Tonight
If this rezoning goes through, what's to prevent the developer from selling to someone who will build something totally different there?
Selective rezoning based on who owns the property is ridiculous. There's no way that Lefferts Place is the right street to build this development.
Posted by: zinka at October 15, 2009 2:22 PM in response to Meeting About Special Lefferts Rezoning Request Tonight
Any hope for Forte retail? It's now on its 3rd broker (Winick).
Posted by: zinka at October 15, 2009 1:04 PM in response to Commercial Klutch: October Edition
Why do people list with realtors who don't even have a website in this day and age?
Posted by: zinka at October 14, 2009 1:58 PM in response to House of the Day: 58 6th Avenue Revisited
Looks like a very, very overstuffed sandwich.
Posted by: zinka at October 6, 2009 3:09 PM in response to Development Watch: 150 4th Avenue Rising
I'm looking forward to this! Hope they figure out how to make access to it safe on the GAP and Bartel-Pritchard ends, though.
Posted by: zinka at October 2, 2009 12:21 PM in response to Prospect Park West to Get Bike Lane
It's for Sukkot, which seems to be the one time of year when the Satmar don't think it's a sin to have some fun.
Posted by: zinka at September 30, 2009 4:53 PM in response to Closing Bell: Williamsburg Street Fair
I'll miss that ESPO piece. It's at least 6 years old, maybe much older.
Posted by: zinka at September 29, 2009 12:17 PM in response to 925 Fulton In Turnaround
How can you include a *parking spot* in a building in downtown Brooklyn and call that green? It's ridiculous. This is incredibly close to several subway lines. Green marketing is out of control if something that involves off-street parking can be called green.
Posted by: zinka at September 25, 2009 8:47 PM in response to Listings Up For 93 Nevins Street
Looks like DOB has acted and there's going to be a stop work order filed:
http://a810-bisweb.nyc.gov/bisweb/OverviewForComplaintServlet?requestid=5&vlcompdetlkey=0001219209
Posted by: zinka at September 24, 2009 3:27 PM in response to A Curb Cut on Landmarked St. Marks Avenue? Really?
Atrocious location. Looking here could be forgiven at the height of the boom, except that this building was never really priced appropriately. Any building with a "free" shuttle service is not a realistic option -- especially priced like this.
Posted by: zinka at September 22, 2009 1:02 PM in response to Condo of the Day: 189 Bridge Street, #13D
If anyone has lived in this apartment, you should not give in to a demand to pay xfer taxes, attys fees, etc. It's just the developer being greedy. Threaten to walk. In this market, they'll give in.
Posted by: zinka at September 14, 2009 12:42 PM in response to Is This Shady?
Looks like a baseball cap.
Posted by: zinka at September 9, 2009 1:17 PM in response to New Barclay's Center Design Revealed
I guess it sort of makes sense, because the only reason to live in such an out-of-the-way location is if you drive everywhere. Sad, though.
Posted by: zinka at September 9, 2009 11:28 AM in response to It's Raining Cars at 1BBP
This has only been under construction since, what, 2002?
Posted by: zinka at August 26, 2009 1:25 PM in response to Atlantic Terminal Station May One Day Be Complete!
Sure, but those 10 minutes aren't along a virtual superhighway with an unforgiving streetscape. They're along historic tree-lined streets with lots of people around and lots to look at and shops and restaurants.
You're going to reply by saying that once these people move in, further development and retail will follow. And I just don't think that's true anymore when it's this hard to get credit. Marginal projects aren't going forward anymore.
Posted by: zinka at August 26, 2009 9:51 AM in response to Development Watch: 277 Gold Street
Yeah, jeez, McDonald's and a giant storage warehouse should be enough retail for anyone.
Posted by: zinka at August 26, 2009 12:02 AM in response to Development Watch: 277 Gold Street
Are we talking about the same Kent avenue? There's a *ton* of bike traffic.
Can we all just see how it works out in a couple months? It'll be fine. Really.
Posted by: zinka at August 25, 2009 3:01 PM in response to Kent Traffic Shifts to Wythe
According to the DOT, the previous layout was 19'-20' wide in each direction, including the bike lane and buffer. Stripes aren't physical objects, so they don't generally slow drivers down. It was a total speedway.
There are certainly some short-term pains as people get used to the new layout, but I think in a few months we'll be really happy with it.
Posted by: zinka at August 25, 2009 12:36 PM in response to Kent Traffic Shifts to Wythe
ditto: Often, but not always. Perceived width and number of obstacles (e.g. parked cars) has more to do with it. In this case, the new traffic lane will be 10-11' with parked cars on either side. Drivers won't drive fast under those circumstances. Previously, there was more like 20' clear each way counting the bike lanes. Drivers ZOOM under those circumstances.
Posted by: zinka at August 25, 2009 11:57 AM in response to Kent Traffic Shifts to Wythe
Kent was a "great pleasure"? It was a highway-like street with out-of-control speeding traffic. This change will be wonderful.
Posted by: zinka at August 25, 2009 11:34 AM in response to Kent Traffic Shifts to Wythe
Your dismissive attitude is really not helping matters.
Obviously the signage has to be farther north than N 14th to inform the truckers. Will some trucks take Wythe? Sure. Some do today. Will they usually make that mistake twice? Probably not.
The point here is that DOT's suggested route is no longer N14/Wythe/N11, they are no longer designating N14 and Wythe as truck routes, and that will help things a lot. They listened, and they made changes accordingly.
Posted by: zinka at August 24, 2009 10:21 PM in response to Kent Avenue Make-Over Begins
Thanks for the snide comment.
Yes, of course it is one way starting at N 14th.
But the point is that in the original proposal, DOT was going to designate N 14th and Wythe as truck routes. That is no longer in the plan, nor is the whole N 14/Wythe/N 11 redirect. Instead, DOT will direct trucks along Greenpoint/McGuinness/BQE.
Posted by: zinka at August 23, 2009 10:19 PM in response to Kent Avenue Make-Over Begins
See http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/downloads/pdf/kent_ave_trucks09.pdf -- as well as page 7 of http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/downloads/pdf/kent_ave.pdf
Posted by: zinka at August 22, 2009 8:33 PM in response to Kent Avenue Make-Over Begins
sosnowski, the revised plan no longer involves N14/N11. it uses Greenpoint Ave to McGuinness to the BQE.
Posted by: zinka at August 22, 2009 2:20 AM in response to Kent Avenue Make-Over Begins
First of all: what's this about talking trash? I'm gay.
Second: If you've ever had gay sex, protected or not, you're not allowed to give blood. (It's a federal rule, and it sucks.) Which means no ice cream. I didn't think it was such a cryptic comment...
Posted by: zinka at August 21, 2009 9:15 PM in response to Weekend Events
Yes, tree planting is now a citywide requirement. There are exceptions for issues like subways, so they may have gotten one of those. It's also possible that they did plant trees, but they're cropped out of this photo.
Posted by: zinka at August 21, 2009 9:42 AM in response to How the Argyle Greets 4th Avenue
"How can you go wrong?" By being gay, maybe? No free ice cream for the gays!
Posted by: zinka at August 21, 2009 9:41 AM in response to Weekend Events
Denton doesn't even have the term right. What he thinks he means is "community facility," not "community service". But he's wrong, and I wish he'd stop saying this wrong thing over and over again.
RETAIL IS ALLOWED ON THIS PART OF 4TH AVE, IN BOTH OLD AND NEW BUILDINGS.
Posted by: zinka at August 21, 2009 12:33 AM in response to How the Argyle Greets 4th Avenue
Douchey McDouche will love that horrid all-caps font.
Posted by: zinka at November 6, 2009 11:23 AM in response to Fulton Sports Bar Signage Revealed