167 Lafayette: Empty, But Not of Potential
Here’s another spot crying out to be developer in Fort Greene. On the corner of Lafayette and Adelphi, this is some primo stuff, man. Sure, there’s Landmarks to navigate, but why isn’t someone doing something here? GMAP P*Shark
I know this owner who is an architect and mostly a developer. I am surprised that he has not done anything with it yet, especially with property values the way they are now. I would not be surprised if he has something in the works now. I know he is working on a bunch of stuff.
In my dealings with he has been an fair and decent guy. I don’t anything about houw he has handled this site. I will mention it to him next time I talk to him which should be soon.
Property owners are now responsible for their sidewalks–the city’s trying to cut down on liability from lawsuits, so trim those tree roots. Also, it’s a misconception that you’re not liable for an uncleared snow sidewalk but are liable for an incompletely or incorrectly shoveled one: after a few hours grace period, you can be fined for not shoveling and sued if someone slips, shoveled or not.
don’t worry all this potential isn’t lost on anybody in FG including this owner.
part of the problem is not that the sidewalk is dirty or gets too covered in snow or ice, but is cracked and broken by many roots. it is not the most easily navigable corner.
and while i agree that i don’t want my neighborhood to be overdeveloped, a) people are certainly already hip to FtG so it’s not a secret spot, and b) a vacant lot ain’t so great. it could be a small park, small store or cafe (but we don’t need another french restaurant).
I think the fines for not clearing the sidewalk are only between $10 and $150. More importantly, my understanding is that generally houseonwers (1-3 family buildings, I think) are not liable for injuries to third persons caused by slipping on the ice or snow of an uncleared sidewalk (although owners of larger buildings are). However, if the owner actually does try to clear the ice or snow, and a person still slips, then the owner might become liable for failing to clear it properly.
If it’s owned by an architect, I am surprised that em has not tried to develop it themselves. My understanding is that the new building on the corner of Bond and Atlantic was by an architect in a similar situation.
I live a block away. This lot is owned by an architect who lives in Cobble Hill or Park Slope or something. It was a godawful mess and the block association complained constantly until he cleaned it up. The sidewalk around it is still a mess. Which brings up, why don’t these people who refuse to keep their sidewalks navigable get fined up the wazoo? How can he be allowed to let his property hazard the rest of the community?
I used to know his name and phone number and left a message asking him to sell it and let us get on with our lives, but he never responded.
why would the owners relish living next to a vacant lot? oh yeah, that’s the stuff of corcoran catalogues. granted, i can understand the noise factor, but as a fg resident i’m not desperately hoping to preserve the overgrown weeds and vacant lots in the nabe.
I’m all about development. If the land is vacant? Develop it, sell it or lose it. Same should apply to vacant buildings too….
Oh stop. Vacant land in prime areas is not hidden- Brownstoner is simply pointing them out in his own forum. Anything can be created there- from a small library or bookstore, to housing. Give him a break. I like this new feature, and I live in the neighborhood. I’d say the Fort Greene secret has long ago been let out of the bag.