Fulton Mall: Death By Compromise?
The Pratt Center for Community Development has released its full report–analysis and recommendations–on the Fulton Mall. Here are the five “strategies” the report recommends following. Clearly, they are trying to walk a very fine line balancing all the class and racial sensitivities that are all rolled up in the issue now. 1. Address the physical…
The Pratt Center for Community Development has released its full report–analysis and recommendations–on the Fulton Mall. Here are the five “strategies” the report recommends following. Clearly, they are trying to walk a very fine line balancing all the class and racial sensitivities that are all rolled up in the issue now.
1. Address the physical appearance of the Mall with innovative and culturally sensitive facade improvement (huh? sounds like politically-correct jibberish to us), building conservation and new building design techniques that embrace the aesthetic theme of “old meets new.” (We have no idea what this means but it sounds like a recipe for confusion and mediocrity.)
2. Better utilize buildings by activating vacant upper stories and carefully planning a mix of uses that supports the dynamism and diversity of the Mall and makes it more of a 24-hour place. (No quibbles with this one.)
3. Promote and enhance the current retail themes found on the Mall: urban wear, Hip Hop fashion and music, uniquely Brooklyn. (What, no Banana Republic? What about that diversity?)
4. Improve the public realm and enliven the side streets to enhance the experience of shoppers and visitors on Fulton Street, as well as workers and residents to the north and south. (Ah, so this is where they throw the gentrifiers a bone. The only problem is it sounds like they’ll have to wade through the penis-engraved tooth caps to get to their precious cafes. Not gonna work in our opinion.)
5. Engage a broad and diverse group of stakeholders in the planning process from this point forward. (We’re all just one big happy multi-cultural family!)Fulton Mall 2006 Report [Pratt Center]
Photo by f. trainer
Weren’t they going to put big box stores in the area around Lowe’s/Pathmark in Gowanus?
You know, you can easily walk through the mall without being confronted with penis-engraved gold teeth.
Like some other posters, I wonder why they are not looking for national brand stores on Montague St. or on Court St. There is plenty of not-so-hot retail there too, and more rich people live close by.
Carla, at first I thought your suggestion was great – but upon further reflection I may have changed my own mind, it is the absence of cars that allows the busses to move through there quickly and if people drove (all converging on the place) it would probably be pure gridlock, making bus transportation difficult. In addition the fact that no cars are allowed has a psychological effect discouraging driving and favoring mass transit. While allowing car traffic would bring the “mall” more into the downtown street grid, no car zones are actually gaining alot of popularity in Europe and so despite its 1970’s roots the no car rules may have advantage.
CHP, you’re a rock star (same goes to you brownstoner). Arsenal rocks. I’m also down with da BrownBomber.
That’s the beauty of brooklyn. We cuss and fight; but in the end I believe we are all actually contributing something positive/constructive. It shows that Brooklynites are opinionated, care about what happens outside their doorsteps and are making a difference.
We have a forum where different ‘voices’ are heard and considered. More importantly, the power brokers are listening and paying close attention.
I really think we can make this socio-cultural diversity/fusion thing work.
Who cares if the real estate market tanks. It’s great being part of this community even though we make each other see red at times. It definitely pays to have a sense of humor, though.
Arsenal, thanks for the kind words, and the detailed information about the signage, as well as info on signage in other parts of the city. That was great. As much as I love the Victorian and Art Deco buildings of the area, and want as much of them to shine as is possible, I would hate for the area to be some kind of overpreserved Disneyland Main Street. Some funky signage, as well as other evidence of the vibrant life of the area definitely needs to be there. Everything evolves, there has to be a happy medium.
shoe fits bb.
There you go. I’ve been outed. I’m an elitist, conservative, Republican, snob…. Down with the man. Power to the people…..yadayadayadayada…..
The last thing I want in Brooklyn is a mall filled with the same brand names as any other mall in america. Please don’t encourage Fulton Mall to become another part of generic America (Generica). I think Forest City Ratner will bring national retailers to his project because it’s the only way big projects like that get done. At Fulton mall we can nurture and enhance what’s there. Let’s have a mix like we have now but with a more attractive feel to it so the area can evolve to serve its customers. If that happens, more stores that appeal to neighbors will move in. While $1200 per sq foot of sales is great, but what about the lost rental income from the upper floors? Property owners can do much better here and planning can help. I also agree with the poster who said to restore the grid. Why leave this as a bus mall anyway?
You rule arsenal! and Brownbomber- who cares how many properties you own or how much taxes you pay. You’r an elitist snob and you’re proud of it. There were better ways of stating your preferences than the condescending, obnoxious style you espouse. As for the politically correct left- ah, so you must be a proud neocon Bush supporter. Yes- you guys have done just a stellar job with the country. I think it’s funny that you of all people find arsenal to be insulting. You do such a bang-up job yourself.
Arsenel, who died and made you boss? I’m entitled to my own opinion. I’m born and raised in Brooklyn. Own numerous properties in the borough and probably pay more in city taxes than you earn in a year. I’m a stakeholder so save the BS for someone else!!
Furthermore, I’m all for the signage restrictions, facade improvements, mall restoration, and building preservation, I just think that the mall is, to quote Anon above, “a sh*t hole”. If you don’t share my opinion that’s your prerogative. I simply stated my preference for a strictly high end shopping district. With that being said, there’s absolutely no reason to insult other posters who don’t share your views.
Why can’t people contribute their own ideas to discussions without feeling pressured to conform to the narrow ideology of the politically correct left? Arsenel, you don’t want to read views that are different from yours or views that you deem to be “ridiculous” then stop reading this blog or go out and create your own!