Community Airs Qualms About Bar Near Barclays
Last night the proprietors of Midtown restaurant Social Eatz came before CB6 to apply for two liquor licenses at 604 Pacific Street, across the street from the forthcoming Barclays Center, and many at the meeting weren’t thrilled by the proposed establishment. What’s planned: A gastropub occupying 3,500 square feet that seats 150 people, with two…
Last night the proprietors of Midtown restaurant Social Eatz came before CB6 to apply for two liquor licenses at 604 Pacific Street, across the street from the forthcoming Barclays Center, and many at the meeting weren’t thrilled by the proposed establishment. What’s planned: A gastropub occupying 3,500 square feet that seats 150 people, with two bars, some live music and no outdoor space. Meanwhile, Italian and Middle Eastern restaurants are slated for a smaller section of the space. Neighbors voiced a great deal of concern about the proposal in a fashion that was reminiscent of the outcry surrounding plans for Prime Six. One speaker said, “You’re going to be opening a restaurant for the arena, and the neighborhood surrounding you doesn’t want this arena.” Other residents of Pacific Street said they didn’t want the street to return to the way it was 30 years ago. One resident stood up and read a selection of newspaper headlines that associated sports bars with violence. In the end, the community board’s consideration of the proposal was pushed back to next month. A community meeting with the restaurant owners will be set up in the interim. (The photo above shows 602 Pacific in the foreground, which the owners say will be used to house some of the business, though the bulk of the space for the bars and restaurants will be in the furniture store pictured to its left.) Atlantic Yards Report has a detailed post on the plans and the crowd’s reaction at last night’s meeting. GMAP
wow, so, ppl in the immediate neighborhood should only live vicariously through other brooklyn residents that presumably deserve pictureque streets, a nice neighborhood vibe and gardens. OK, now I’ve heard it all.
Is East New York like that?
I guess some people are concerned that the things they love about Brooklyn (nice neighborhood vibes, picturesque streets) will disppear once the Arena is fully opened. It’s a legitimate concern as far as I see it.
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Brooklyn is a big place. There will be plenty of nice neighborhood vibes, picturesque streets left ALL AROUND the borough after AY construction is complete.
So the “community” garden (which I believe is normally locked and only open to those who have keys or know someone who deos) will go. That will only leave THOUSANDS of community gardens all around the borough, including several near this area. Meanwhile, some folks will have jobs, others (like me) will enjoy pro basketball in their backyards, and economic activity will take place where it didn’t exist before, in a location that is adjacent to Brooklyn’s downtown area and served by multiple subway and commuter rail lines. Not to mention it is about a mile away from PROSPECT PARK, which I think will suffice for the loss of a small, exclusive “community” garden.
Is is next to a residential area, but it is also practically on Flatbush and faces the back of a Modell’s.
In this case, there is no proposal for an outside area, which will greatly reduce the impact.
In my totally unscientific observations, if every currently vacant storefront in the area was converted into a restaurant/bar, there would still be fewer than on 5th avenue a few blocks deeper into Park Slope or Smith St.
I will say that I am not an impartial observer.
I live in an apartment where I can see the arena construction, and I made a decision to live here knowing the arena was coming.
Over a year later, I am still very pleased with my decision.
I would much rather have these new restaurant/bars in my neighborhood rather than the stores they are replacing.
ENY- do you not recognize a rhetorical statement? You used yourself as an example- implying if you would sell, wouldn’t anyone? So how is that any different?
ENY – when ppl talk about Brooklyn being destroyed, they are talking about the future, once the rena is built. that hasn’t happened yet. I guess some people are concerned that the things they love about Brooklyn (nice neighborhood vibes, picturesque streets) will disppear once the Arena is fully opened. It’s a legitimate concern as far as I see it.
Not that you would care, but the big community garden on Pacific? The community hired a shade expert and he basically told them that the arena’s shadow will basically kill off all the flowers that require sun (which is all of them). Good-bye garden.
BHJS- in all fairness, it’s right next to a residential area, and it won’t be the only restaurant/bar opening up. I think surrounding neighborhoods are going to be greatly impacted.Not always in good ways.
Why don’t you look at the latest liquor applications with Community Board 6? It’s utter craziness. A major reason why CB 6 held off on granting this app.
and if i were the CB – i would WANT these places to open. people going to the games will be looking for places to eat and drink. better keep them away from the neighborhood spots. DUH
bxgrl, you wrote: “I challenge anyone to tell me they wouldn’t be fighting for their home and neighborhood in similar circumstances.”
By “anyone” you imply that EVERYONE would behave in the same manner. That’s clearly not true. As you say in a subsequent post, it’s apersonal choice. One size does not fit all.
“The landlord moved on, so should everyone else.”
Indeed. And SOMEHOW, Brooklyn was not “destroyed” when AY got the go-ahead! Unbelievable!