Wednesday Links
Crown Heights. Photo by alison will. Northeast Delivers Two Big Prizes for Clinton; Obama Wins CT [NY Times] Some Trustees Challenge Polytechnic-N.Y.U. Merger [NY Times] A Fee That Developers Would Like to See Rise [NY Times] Red Hook Residents Hail Bus Plan [NY Daily News] Students Cash In On Tests [NY Daily News] Would-Be Gowanus…
Crown Heights. Photo by alison will.
Northeast Delivers Two Big Prizes for Clinton; Obama Wins CT [NY Times]
Some Trustees Challenge Polytechnic-N.Y.U. Merger [NY Times]
A Fee That Developers Would Like to See Rise [NY Times]
Red Hook Residents Hail Bus Plan [NY Daily News]
Students Cash In On Tests [NY Daily News]
Would-Be Gowanus Housing Unsafe? [Brooklyn Eagle]
McCarren Pool Plans Revealed [GL]
FCR’s Inflated Revenue Claim [AY Report]
Loud Work at 360 Smith [PMFA]
You still haven’t explained why artists deserve special housing priveleges over the rest of the populace. Housing should be based on need, not occupation.
Most artists that I know DO have college educations (often MFAs) and parents that, while not always rich, are quite comfortable financially.
I stand by my notion that there are plenty of other people more deserving of affordable housing than artists.
I don’t want this to degrade into another artist bashing post, but the desire and ability to create – whether art, music, dance, or theatre, or design, does not depend on education, or wealth. One could argue education ruins the creative spark. Point being that most of the creative people I know, and I know plenty, do not have either fancy college educations or rich parents.
It certainly helps to be rich if you want to create huge scuptural works, but not necessary. If you need to create, you find a way. Spaces like this cry out for creative solutions. I would love to see the directory of this building filled with the names of fashion designers, jewelry designers, photographers, architects, furniture makers, art restorers, graphic artists, painters, a theatre/dance company, musicians, and lighting designers, as well as retail and food.
I’m a huge advocate for affordable housing, God knows, but I think this site is better suited for the above, just because of the space and raw layouts offered. There is ample space and several underused buildings in the neighborhood that would be better renovated for family living.
It’s all moot, anyway, as I don’t have the money to make my vision come true, and since this isn’t landmarked, someone could come along and put up fugly buildings, but I bet they wouldn’t be priced for the very people who need them most.
Why waste this space on artists when there are tons of working families that need affordable housing? I’d turn this building into low or moderate-income rentals and give them to struggling single mothers and their kids rather than painters or sculptors who probably have a college education and rich parents.
MM: I have always thought the same thing when I pass by it!
I love that building, too, and unfortunately, it’s being marketed as a “development” site — hopefully the economy will prevent another mindless tear-down and replacement with crap.
A guarantee that you aren’t going to win a race with the bus into manhattan.
Regarding the photo: this warehouse/manufacturing site on Franklin between Dean and Bergen, (photo is mostly the Bergen side) would make such a wonderful site for a creative collective of small businesses, dining opportunities, artists’ space and loft living. It’s one of the untapped treasures of Crown Heights’ Crow Hill neighborhood. It’s for sale for 22 million. If we all pool together………..
I’m pessimistic on the bus routes. The problem isn’t access to public transportation, it’s that the buses don’t run frequently enough to be dependable. I can usually race the B61 from my apartment by walking to Borough Hall and still beat it as long as it isn’t morning rush hour.
I for would would love to see Cocaine in Coke again – Not sure why they ever stopped!