Columbia St. Getting Some Attention
Although the Columbia Street Waterfront District is blocked off by two major expressways and isn’t particularly close to any subway station, an article in today’s Wall Street Journal claims the area is starting to hit its stride. (Haven’t we heard that before?) Not since the late 90s, after a city plan was implemented to develop…
Although the Columbia Street Waterfront District is blocked off by two major expressways and isn’t particularly close to any subway station, an article in today’s Wall Street Journal claims the area is starting to hit its stride. (Haven’t we heard that before?) Not since the late 90s, after a city plan was implemented to develop housing units in the neighborhood, has the waterfront seen this much growth. Many of the vacant industrial plants are being converted into condos, alongside the recent opening of Pier Six and the retail boom happening on Columbia Street. William Ross, the director of Halstead Marketing, claims, “There’s not enough supply to meet the demand because the neighborhood is only three to four blocks wide.” The article points to Columbia Commons (a Brownstoner advertiser), which just launched sales, with units from $420,000 to $895,000. And if waterfront access grows and the ferry service becomes better utilized, further growth in the neighborhood seems more or less certain.
By Any Name, Columbia Street District Shows Life [WSJ]
Photo by Jay Woodworth
I like the 1 to 3 crazy dudes who always lounge against the fence and on the bike lane each and every day.
The “mayor” built himself an awesome lounge chair from layers of cardboard boxes. Designed for actual usage, not for irony or high concept. Though I’m sure some idiot would pay good money for it if you slapped it in a gallery.
He also has a small boom box.
Just talks to himself and lounges around all day.
He’s sort of my hero.
I’d love to see Columbia Street have its day in the sun, and maybe the Greenway combined with Pier 6 will help, but I’m not holding my breath. It’s still inconvenient as hell. And the waterfront right there is hardly scenic.
I don’t consider it another neighborhood (or district as they seem to be labeling it now).
But what vacant industrial plants being converted are they talking about? That was done years ago.
I passed by these blocks a few weeks ago and was impressed by the verve and vibe. DUMBO dwellers seem to have made peace with the transport options so ColWat dwellers shall too I suppose.