Number of Sex Attacks Up to 20


The big, depressing news this weekend was that the number of possibly linked sexual assaults in Brooklyn since March has jumped to 20. The NYPD has added seven more cases to the official tally, six of which occurred at the 7th Avenue subway station in Park Slope. The most recent incident took place Thursday night, when a woman was attacked on 17th Street. Police Commissioner Ray Kelly has said that it’s likely there have been copycat crimes. While the cops arrested a man in conjunction with an attack in Sunset Park last week, they believe several men are responsible for the assaults.
Grope List Grows [NY Post]
Fear Grips Brooklyn as Number of Sex-Crimes Spikes [NY Daily News]
Copycat Crimes Possible In Brooklyn Sexual Assault Pattern [NY1]
Image via NY1

By Gabby | | Comment

Open House Picks


Williamsburg
135 Bedford Avenue
Halstead
Sunday, 1-2
$2,100,000
GMAP P*Shark

Park Slope
411 8th Street
Brown Harris Stevens
Sunday, 1-2:30
$1,799,000
GMAP P*Shark

Bed Stuy
311 Stuyvesant Avenue
FSBO
Sunday, 1-3
$850,000
GMAP P*Shark

Windsor Terrace
412 Greenwood Avenue
Warren Lewis
Sunday, 2:30-4
$829,000
GMAP P*Shark

By Brownstoner | | Comment

Rental of the Day: 473 18th Street



This one-bedroom in Windsor Terrace is really nice. There are lots of details and a generous amount of space. You also won’t find a nicer, or bigger, kitchen in many other one bedrooms. Garden use (no word on whether it’s private or not) is included. The rent is $1,950/month, and the space comes either furnished or not. Think it’ll be rented quickly?
473 18th Street [David West Properties] GMAP P*Shark

By Emily | | Comment

House of the Day: 5 Reeve Place



5 Reeve Place, a Windsor Terrace one-family that traded for $720,000 back in 2008, was an Open House Pick this summer when it was listed with Warren Lewis for $895,000; it was subsequently reduced to $849,000 before being removed from the market last month. Now the charming 1870s house is back, with a new broker and a new-and-improved price of $819,000. It doesn’t look particularly historic from the outside, but the interiors are still have some of their old-school character. Unfortunately, though, it looks like some of the floors have been replaced with overly-new-looking wood. The bigger issue is that the house is only 12.5 feet wide.
5 Reeve Place [Brooklyn Real] GMAP P*Shark

By Brownstoner | | Comment

A Community Center Opens in Windsor Terrace



Last week the Kings Bay Y at Windsor Terrace had its grand opening. The arts, education, and cultural community center is affiliated with the Kings Bay YM-YWHA, which is located in Sheepshead Bay. Its programming includes music, art, chess, yoga, prenatal and Chinese Mandarin classes, as well as after-school programs. The center is located at 1224 Prospect Avenue; more information is available on its website. There’s also a picture of the play space after the jump. GMAP
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Prospect Park West Bike-Lane Lawsuit: The Sequel



Here we go again! Yesterday Streetsblog reported that the opponents of the Prospect Park West bike lane had filed a motion to appeal a Brooklyn Supreme Court judge’s decision in August to dismiss the initial suit against the lane. Most of the motion is taken up with language about why an appeal is “procedurally appropriate,” though this bit seems to be the meat and potatoes of the basis for the appeal: “Specifically, an appeal will permit review, in light of the case law mandating that statute of limitations disputes be construed against the agency asserting the defense, of Petitioners’ evidence that the PPW bike lane was installed on a ‘trial’ basis, and that Respondents did not decide to permanently install the lane until January 2011. The questions to be raised thus involve sharply disputed factual and legal issues that merit appellate consideration.” In other words, the opposition groups Neighbors for Better Bike Lanes and Seniors for Safety are looking to revisit claims about when the city decided to install the lane permanently. Streetsblog also has a quote from a city attorney saying “We are confident that our win will be upheld on appeal.”
Bike Lane Opponents File Appeal in Prospect Park West Lawsuit [Streetsblog]
Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Against the PPW Bike Lane [Brownstoner]

By Gabby | | Comment

Rental of the Day: 526 Prospect Avenue



The exterior’s nothing to brag about, but the actual two bedroom on offer inside 526 Prospect Avenue isn’t a bad space. The parquet floors and fireplace add nice touches, though we do spot some wooden paneling in what looks to be a very small bedroom. No pictures of the kitchen, but the listing claims it’s renovated. There’s also access to a small backyard. The monthly rent comes in at $2,800, which feels high for Windsor Terrace. Do you agree?
526 Prospect Avenue [Warren Lewis] GMAP P*Shark

By Emily | | Comment

House of the Day: 314 Caton Avenue



This listing at 314 Caton Avenue on the border of Windsor Terrace and Kensington just hit the market with an asking price of $700,000. The brick exterior has a certain charm. The interior does too, though the new floors are a bummer and the kitchen is straight-up Home Depot. Both of those things are remediable and the proximity to the Parade Grounds and Prospect Park are nice too. Think the price is right?
314 Caton Avenue [Lay Hoon Chua] GMAP P*Shark

By Brownstoner | | Comment

‘Reckless PR Stunt’ Over PPW Bike Lane Continues



Oh, man, the Prospect Park West bike lane foes just refuse to go gently. The latest bid for attention from Neighbors for Better Bike Lanes and Seniors for Safety lawyer Jim Walden demands that the DOT remove the lane. However, as The Observer reports, the letter is probably just a technical formality that’s necessary before another lawsuit can be pursued. Transportation Alternatives sent out a press release in response to the letter that said the following, in part: “In their desperate quest for headlines, the opponents of the street safety improvements on Prospect Park West continue to ride roughshod over the wishes of local residents. These malcontents had their day in court, and their groundless case was dismissed. The people of Park Slope have endured this reckless PR stunt long enough.”
Dear DOT, Tear Out This Bike Lane NOW! [NYO]
PPW Bike Lane Opponents Aren’t Fazed By Dismissal [Gothamist]
Anti-Bike Lane Groups Demand DOT Remove PPW Bike Path [Patch]

By Gabby | | Comment

‘War’ of Words Continues Over PPW Bike Lane



Following a judge’s dismissal of the lawsuit over the Prospect Park West bike lane, the attorney for the plaintiffs Jim Walden told The Brooklyn Paper it was “just the first battle in what is inevitably going to be a longer war.” Walden’s rhetoric is being criticized by Seniors for Civility and Neighbors for Better Neighbors, two neighborhood groups formed in support of the lane. In a statement, Bill Carey, founder of Neighbors for Better Neighbors, had this to say in a statement: “we’re saddened to see that the plaintffs’ attorney, Jim Walden, would characterize Judge Bunyan’s decision as ‘just the first battle in what is inevitably going to be a longer war.’ Our community is not a battlefield and the work of making our streets safer does not ‘inevitably’ have to be a ‘war.’ Mr. Walden’s clients can graciously accept Judge Bunyan’s decision and move on…We encourage the plaintiffs to drop the martial language and the legal crusade, and join with their neighbors to continue the work of making our streets calmer and safer.” Walden, meanwhile, is quoted today in the Eagle as saying that “the battle continues” and that the judge “dismissed our petition without prejudice, saying that DOT never made a decision concerning removal of the bike lane based on the safety study. He invited us to demand removal, and if DOT does not comply, we can re-file the lawsuit.”

By Gabby | | Comment

Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Against the PPW Bike Lane



The battle over the Prospect Park West bike lane may finally be over, as a judge dismissed the legal challenge against the lane yesterday. Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Burt Bunyan said the plaintiffs filed their claim too late based on when the city installed the lane. The lane’s supporters did a victory lap in response to the news. Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan had this to say about the decision: “The plaintiffs have been dead wrong in their unsupported claims about the bike path and DOT’s practices…Merely not liking a change is no basis for a frivolous lawsuit to reverse it.” Meanwhile, Councilman Brad Lander said this in a statement: “I am proud of the community-driven process, through which neighborhood residents requested the bike path, suggested modifications, and approved the modified design this spring. Ever since the bike path was first proposed four years ago by Park Slope’s representatives on Community Board 6, this has been an inclusive, transparent, and community-driven process. While I respect those who do not like the bike lane, this is the way our government is supposed to work.” As the Times notes, the judge didn’t address claims that the DOT had presented misleading statistics to the public about the lane. So is this really the last we’ve heard from the project’s opponents? Not necessarily, according to the Observer: Jim Walden, the attorney for the groups suing the city, said in a statement that his clients will review the judge’s analysis and consider an appeal.
City Prevails in Prospect Park West Bike Lane Challenge [Observer]
City Wins Prospect Park West Bike Lane Suit [BK Paper]
Judge Rejects Groups’ Effort to Remove Bike Lane [NY Times]

By Gabby | | Comment

New Groups Formed to Support PPW Bike Lane



According to a press release sent out yesterday, two community groups called Neighbors for Better Neighbors and Seniors for Civility have been formed to support the Prospect Park West bike lane. The new organizations appear to be pointedly countering the tactics of the anti-bike lane groups, which are called Seniors for Safety and Neighbors for Better Bike Lanes. (Confused yet?) The release also trumpeted Kings County Supreme Court Justice Burt Bunyan’s order yesterday that the plaintiffs in the bike lane suit had withdraw several recently issued subpoenas to community leaders like Community Board 6 District Manager Craig Hammerman and City Councilman Steve Levin. Here’s the quote on that: “‘We’ve always enjoyed the annual Park Slope Halloween Parade on Seventh Avenue,’ said Rich Greenspan, a construction project manager who owns an apartment on Prospect Park West where he lives, walks, bikes and drives with his wife and two daughters, ages four and six, every day. ‘Unfortunately, some of our neighbors must think Halloween came early this year because their bike lane law suit has become a witch hunt.’”
NBBL Attorney Jim Walden Withdraws Round of Subpoenas [Streetsblog]
Prospect Park West Bike Lane Suit Drags On [Brownstoner]

By Gabby | | Comment

Prospect Park West Bike Lane Suit Drags On



There’s still no resolution in the lawsuit over the Prospect Park West bike lane, which had its latest day in court yesterday. Streetsblog reported that the hearing mostly involved “procedural maneuvering,” with Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan submitting an affidavit saying the lane was not installed on a trial basis. This counters an affidavit from Borough President Marty Markowitz saying Sadik-Khan told him it was a trial. The point is important because the judge can dismiss the case if it’s determined that the city installed the lane as a permanent project since the statute of limitations ran out before a lawsuit was filed against it. Still, the city has indicated that it’s willing to drop its line of defense about the statute of limitations, according to Patch, with a lawyer saying “we won’t let this issue be used as a sideshow to delay this case from being resolved on the merits themselves.” Meanwhile, Transportation Alternatives sent out a press release about the lawsuit yesterday afternoon that had the following to say about the plaintiffs: “The bike lane’s opponents, represented by whiteshoe lawyer and former federal prosecutor James Walden, have spent the last several months making a bombastic and histrionic case—largely outside the courtroom—against the street safety improvements along Prospect Park West that are intended to curb deadly speeding and create safe space for bicyclists, pedestrians and drivers.” The next hearing is scheduled for August 3rd.
No Decision on PPW Bike Lane Case Today [Streetsblog]
City May Nix Statute of Limitations Argument [Patch]
The PPW Bike-Lane Lawsuit is a Reality [Brownstoner]

By Gabby | | Comment

Last Week’s Biggest Sales



1. PARK SLOPE $3,600,000
105 Lincoln Place GMAP P*Shark
105 Lincoln Place is a totally modernized townhouse featured as our HOTD last February. The most dramatic aspect of the reno was the large steel-and-glass staircase connecting the garden and parlor levels that been dropped into the middle of the floorplate. We also thought the bathroom and kitchen fixtures were tasteful. Ask: $3,695,000. Entered into contract on 3/18/11; closed on 6/15/11; deed recorded on 6/24/2011.

2. BOERUM HILL $2,250,000
103 Boerum Place GMAP P*Shark
This is actually one-half of the small-scale Boerum Hill development 101-103 Boerum. You can see interior pics at the blog the owners/architects have been using to track their progress. Don’t know the asking price, as we couldn’t find an official listing. Entered into contract on 9/2/10; closed on 6/10/2011; deed recorded on 6/24/11.

3. PARK SLOPE $1,950,000
387 6th Street GMAP P*Shark
387 6th Street is a one-family, three-story home that hit the market in February. A HOTD in March, we said: “This new brownstone listing at 387 6th Street strikes us as a very nice, solid listing but not one that’s likely to elicit lots of oohs and ahs from the peanut gallery.” It was asking $1,895,000. Entered into contract on 3/16/2011; closed on 6/10/2011; deed recorded on 6/24/11.
After the jump, a sale at the Mill Building and a home in Windsor Terrace that went for $106,000 more than ask….
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By Emily | | Comment

Rental of the Day: 18 Sherman Street, #2



Here’s a very nice one-and-a-half bedroom for rent in Windsor Terrace, at 18 Sherman Street. There’s nothing too frilly about it, but everything looks well-kept and spacious. The bay windows are a nice touch as well. The rent comes in at $2,200/month. Think the price is right?
18 Sherman Street, #2 [Corcoran] GMAP P*Shark

By Emily | | Comment

Open House Picks


Park Slope
106 Lincoln Place
Brown Harris Stevens
Sunday, 12:00 – 1:30
$2,995,000
GMAP P*Shark

Midwood
712 East 18th Street
Mary Kay Gallagher
Sunday, 12-2
$1,250,000
GMAP P*Shark

Greenwood Heights
228 21st Street
Corcoran
Sunday, 12:30-2
$1,150,000
GMAP P*Shark

Windsor Terrace
517 Vanderbilt Street
Brooklyn Properties
Sunday, 12-2
$975,000
GMAP P*Shark

By Brownstoner | | Comment

New Owners for the Pavilion Theater



Park Slope Patch confirms a rumor posted earlier this week on Fucked in Park Slope that a new operator has purchased the Pavilion Theater on Prospect Park West and started renovating the movie house. A rep for the new owners tells Patch they’ll be painting, putting in new carpets and seats, and looking to re-open the Pavilion’s cafe. There have been complaints in recent months about the state of the theater, as well as talk that it was infested with bedbugs.
Pavilion Theater Under New Ownership [PS Patch]
Rumor: Pavilion Movie Theater Renovation Underway [FIPS]
Photo by clickclickclickclick.

By Gabby | | Comment

Spider-Man Casts its Web Over Windsor Terrace


This weekend Windsor Terrace served as a set for “The Amazing Spider-Man”—a shoot that’s operating under the code name “Fiona’s Tale” on permit signs—and production vans, film equipment, and police cars were all over Windsor Place and Prospect Avenue by 10th Avenue. The pics above show some of the filming yesterday afternoon on Fuller Place.

By Gabby | | Comment

F/G Service Resuming at 2 Stations on May 23rd



The maintenance work that began at the 15th Street and Ft. Hamilton Parkway subway stations in mid-January, resulting in the suspension of Manhattan-bound F and G service, will be done in about a month. The MTA has informed the community that on May 23rd, northbound service will resume at the two stations, as shown in the Windsor Terrace Alliance’s countdown clock above. Meanwhile, southbound service on the two lines from the same stations is scheduled to be suspended from this fall to next spring as part of the Culver Viaduct rehab work.
Windsor Terrace Alliance [Official Site]

By Gabby | | Comment

Rental of the Day: 609 17th Street, #2



Assuming this apartment at 609 17th Street in Windsor Terrace is a true three-bedroom and has a working bathroom—there’s no picture of it—it’s seeming like a good deal. The apartment, which looks to be in decent shape, isn’t in the fanciest of buildings, but it’s close to the park and subway. The rent comes in at $2,300, which is pretty reasonable for the area, no?
609 17th Street, #2 [Brown Harris Stevens] GMAP P*Shark

By Emily | | Comment