The Hot Seat: Phillip Kellogg

Welcome to the Hot Seat, where we talk with folks who work in Brooklyn real estate, development, architecture, and the like. Introducing Phillip Kellogg, manager of the Fulton Area Business Alliance.
Brownstoner: What neighborhood do you live in, and how’d you end up there?
Phillip Kellogg: Intense lobbying by a dear friend and Brooklyn resident and a beautiful moment at a sidewalk cafe on Lafayette Avenue brought my wife and I to Fort Greene 11 years ago. We were living in a small apartment and wanted more room and outdoor space. A close friend had been urging us to come to Brooklyn. We were already exploring neighborhoods throughout NYC and beyond by going on walking tours and discovering places on our own when one day we came to Fort Greene and sat at a sidewalk cafe table outside “A-Table” (now Olea) on Lafayette Avenue. That was it, we were hooked! Ultimately, we ended up with more room, outdoor space, great neighbors and a vibrant community life.

BS: Can you talk about the beginnings of the Fulton Business Alliance?
PK: The FAB Alliance grew out of the local merchants association on Fulton Street and their desire to enhance the strip and ensure a thriving retail district. Relying on volunteer efforts and voluntary contributions for dues wasn’t sustainable, so in 2004 a group of 20 merchants and property owners banded together with assistance from the Pratt Area Community Council (PACC) to start the official New York City Department of Small Business Services process for forming a Business Improvement District (BID). The BID was signed into law in late 2008 and began operations in October 2009 — less than two years ago.

After the jump, Phillip discusses the current and future projects of FAB, addresses some of the negative feedback on public plaza proposals, and talks about transformative development properties on Fulton…

BS: Fulton Street has seen a great deal of changes in the past few years. How have the initial goals of FAB changed as the block continues to grow?
PK: The FAB Alliance is less than two years old, so the initial goals set by the all-volunteer board consisting of merchants, property owners, residents and government officials are still essential: Keeping the streets clean and improving public safety; promoting Fulton Street and building “buzz” for the entire strip; helping existing merchants and filling vacant spaces; enhancing the street scape and shopper experience. Of course, the economy continues to be an issue. Though merchants report things are better now than they were one or two years ago, it’s really taking a toll. Efforts to increase foot traffic and encourage people to shop local are more important than ever.

BS: What are the current and future projects FAB has planned?
PK: Transforming the “Triangle Parks of Fulton Street” will be an on-going project of FAB. The organization will continue to work to make the most of Fulton Street’s underutilized physical spaces, creating valuable open space for everyone to enjoy and bring people out to support the local merchants that make the neighborhood so special.

Another thing FAB is working on is how to play a part in promoting the cultural richness that the area is so well-known for. Anchored by the BAM Cultural District, Fulton Street runs like a vein through the cultural heart of Brooklyn from downtown to Bed-Stuy. Fulton Street is home to a number of fashion designers and restaurants from various regions of the world; a rich collection of museums, performing and visual arts groups and institutions are nearby; Historic districts are part of the fabric as are vibrant religious institutions, schools and universities. FAB has only scratched the surface of what is possible but looks forward to creating more opportunities to have these creative forces interacting and out into the community in these public spaces, performance venues and even the street. The special marketing effort called FAB FRIDAYS is a start. Held on the second Friday of every month, more than 45 participating businesses create special offers, events or activities to bring people out to Fulton Street.

BS: There has been some negative input surrounding the Clinton Hill and Fort Greene public plazas recently. (See meeting coverage here and here.) Are there some misconceptions about the plazas you would like to clear up? In cases such as these, how best to reach a middle ground to decide what’s best for the neighborhood as a whole?
PK: One thing is that these plazas are for everybody. No one group, organization or business has any more rights to access and use these public plazas than anyone else. Another is that prior to bringing these ideas to the city, they were reviewed and supported by the Community Board, local civic groups and leaders, nearby businesses, institutions, long-time activists, historians and elected officials.
Public forums have been held where issues have been raised and some people have expressed legitimate concerns about creating more accessible open space in our neighborhoods. FAB has been working with city agencies to proactively address many of those concerns. With 17 successful plazas already created and 25 more in the works throughout NYC, there is a large body of experience that is informing the design, implementation and ongoing management of these public spaces.
Fort Greene and Clinton Hill are Brooklyn neighborhoods known for having a diverse range of opinions and lively debates on what people think is “best” for the neighborhood. Homeowners with their own private backyards may feel differently than people living in apartments with no outdoor space. People who drive cars may differ from those who rely on a MetroCard. All voices need to be heard and that’s why there will continue to be more opportunities for public input.

BS: Finally, your favorites: fave BK neighborhood, favorite new development, and a favorite property in the borough.
PK: Favorite Neighborhood: Absolutely love where I live and work here in Fort Greene/Clinton Hill, though we spend weekends on our bikes touring all over. It’s a wonderful way to discover different neighborhoods in Brooklyn.
Favorite New Development: My favorite developments are the ones that have the potential to be transformational. There’s the magnificent state-owned building at 1024 Fulton (near Classon). Vacant for more than three decades there is an opportunity for it to be energized as an amenity for the community and expanded to create housing and finally (hopefully!) there may be some movement on this. And one block away on Fulton between Grand and Downing is a group of several empty lots with multiple owners. Whoever assembles those lots on the eastern half of that block could really make a positive impact.
As for a project that’s all ready built: it’s couple of years old now but I really do admire the State Street townhouses in Boerum Hill. The design is respectful of the historic brownstones that line the street while creating a rhythm all its own. They are informed by the past, but not stuck in it.
Favorite Property: Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church