Patsy Grimaldi, who originally operated Grimaldi’s out of 19 Old Fulton, sold the pizzeria and its name to Frank Ciolli back in 1998, which moved its operations further down the block several months ago; in the meantime, Grimaldi said he was returning to his roots at 19 Old Fulton and would open a pizzeria there called Juliana’s. Reportedly, Grimaldi intended to open in March. However, the pizza legend’s return to his old haunt is still very much under construction, as can be seen via the photo on the jump. Juliana’s Marks its Turf in Dumbo [Brownstoner] GMAP
We received the following email in our inbox this morning: “Hello Friends of Mr. Everett Ortner — With sadness, I am informing you of Mr. Ortner’s passing on Tuesday, May 22. Kindly inform your organization. Thank you for your friendship and for your promotion of Brooklyn causes. Please view [above] photo by Mr. Levi Stolove.” Here is part of a write-up about Mr. Ortner via Develop Don’t Destroy Brooklyn: “Since 1963, when he and his wife, Evelyn, bought a brownstone in Park Slope, Brooklyn, he has been a missionary for the brownstone-revival movement in New York City, and for urban revival nationally. He was a leader in the early days of the revival movement in Park Slope, a photographer and public-relations man for the Park Slope Civic Council, and a founder, with Joe Ferris, of the Park Slope Betterment Committee, which organized many series of particularized house tours (hard-selling houses that needed work). With Ken Patton as chairman, he was a co-founder and first president (1968) of the Brownstone Revival Committee of New York, now the Brownstone Revival Coalition–a citywide organization devoted to the promotion and preservation of New York City’s older communities. He is currently its Chairman Emeritus. The BRC publishes a newsletter, ‘The Brownstoner,’ sponsors lectures and workshops on architectural history and preservation topics, and acts frequently as the voice of New York’s brownstone communities. He continues to write for and edit ‘The Brownstoner.'” Rest in peace, Mr. Ortner. Everett H. Ortner [DDDB]
Babs isn’t the only pop star who’ll be crossing the East River this fall. Evidently someone named Justin Bieber will be playing at the Barclays Center in November. Tix go on sale June 2.
An agreement reached [yesterday] will provide for the expansion of Brooklyn Bridge Park and for the preservation of historic structures at the Park, substituting new parkland for any lost if regulatory approvals are secured to re-use the structures for other cultural or commercial purposes. The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corporation, Brooklyn Heights Association, Fulton Ferry Landing Association, New York Landmarks Conservancy, Preservation League of New York State, and St. Ann’s Warehouse, a non-profit Brooklyn-based performing arts organization, have settled a disagreement over the process for developing part of the park, which houses two historically significant structures. The Agreement – which resulted from litigation brought by the Brooklyn Heights Association, the Fulton Ferry Landing Association, the New York Landmarks Conservancy, and the Preservation League of New York State — will require state legislation and National Park Service approval to effectuate any development and re-use of the structures. Subsequent to this agreement, State Senator Daniel Squadron and Assemblywoman Joan Millman secured an additional community planning process and expanded community participation. The agreement will allow for the preservation and adaptive re-use of the historic Empire Stores as a mixed-use retail and commercial development that will provide vital revenue to help fund Brooklyn Bridge Park’s operation and maintenance costs. These improvements will restore the Empire Stores, which is currently in deteriorated condition and closed to the public. The agreement also sets the stage for the preservation of the Tobacco Warehouse and starts a process to secure regulatory approval for re-use of that structure as a cultural and community-use venue. Redevelopment of the Tobacco Warehouse would create a theater space, an outdoor public garden, and a community room for use by schools, community organizations and the public. St. Ann’s Warehouse has been conditionally designated as the lessee of the Tobacco Warehouse.
The Daily News has a translation of the news in English that is comprehensible: “Under the settlement, the St. Ann’s plan, which includes a theater space and an outdoor garden, will be able to go forward – eventually. First, city officials will have to get state legislation and approval from the National Parks Service for the development, expected to take about a year. The city will move the paint shed and water meter testing facility currently located under the bridge and turn it into part of the park, a Bloomberg spokeswoman said.” Here’s hoping this all works out. Brooklyn Bridge Park to Expand Under Deal to Settle Tobacco Warehouse Lawsuit [NY Daily News]
A string of storefronts on Classon Avenue beginning at Lincoln Place and running toward Eastern Parway have been renovated, and almost all have new tenants now. The photo above is a few weeks old, but it shows the storefront for Colour Me Silly, a paint-your-own pottery shop that has been open for at least a couple of weeks and has long lines of kids and parents waiting to get in on weekends. Directly to the north, a barbershop opened about a month ago. GMAP
