Future of Fulton Mall Crystalizes Race Issues
NY Observer writer Matthew Schuerman, who also contributes much of The Real Estate, had a piece in the paper last week that spoke with unusual frankness about the issue of race in the borough’s process of gentrification and commercial revitalization. The future of the Fulton Mall, he points out, is forcing these issues out on…
NY Observer writer Matthew Schuerman, who also contributes much of The Real Estate, had a piece in the paper last week that spoke with unusual frankness about the issue of race in the borough’s process of gentrification and commercial revitalization. The future of the Fulton Mall, he points out, is forcing these issues out on the table. There is a lot of pressure from business leaders and residents of neighboring Brownstone Brooklyn to “improve” the mall–despite the fact that it commands some of the highest retail rents in the city and draws heavy foot traffic in its current state. At the same time, however, side streets are deserted and the upper floors of many of the historic buildings are underutilized as well. Community planners and landlords are confronting the reality that it’s going to be hard to attract cute cafes to those side streets and young professionals to buy lofts in an area whose anchor tenants include a “forlorn Macy’s, a Conway, three Payless Shoe Sources, two Foot Lockers and a Kids Foot Locker.” And forget about Class A office tenants: “It’s hard to lure Fortune 500 companies to downtown Brooklyn with people selling penis-engraved tooth caps next door,” writes Schuerman. Indeed. What to do?
Fulton Mall Fights for Existence [NY Observer]
Upscale Lofts in Mall’s Future [Brownstoner]
Prediction: Brooklyn (and Manhattan) will seem as suburban as LI within the next 5 years.
Having local politicians pressure the BID to standerize signage somewhat-provide economic incentive to convert upper floors to residential and landmarking many of the historic structures does nothing but help ensure a nicer shopping/living and working area for downtown Brooklyn – it is entirely race neutral.
It just seems totally racist or classist to say well “the blacks” like it the way it is so dont change it as if improving it somehow makes it white or upper class
Sorry Brownbomber- I disagree. It don’t think it’s shitty- it is what it is. It may not be pretty but gentrificationhas gone on in that area for over 40 years and no one gave a damn about it. Why should they now destroy a working class shopping district because they suddenly realize what those merchants have known for years- it’s a great location. It’s wrong to destroy or put viable businesses out of business because they seem to offend the delicate sensibilities of the “more genteel” (yes I am being sarcastic) folk. Sure it would nice if the service were better, the stores cleaner, etc. etc., but obviously Fulton Mall fulfills a need for people who can’t or don’t want to pay $4.00+ for a lousy cup of coffee or $6000 for a shower curtain.
Well, this ran the gamut from ignorant ranters to well-thought out ideas. Since the 70’s I have shopped at Fulton Mall, long before other whites did. I happen to like it- you could always find great bargains. Bridge St. used to be filled with great fabric stores, I spent a fortune in the now gone kids clothing stores for my niece and nephew. When white people didn’t care about it, the black and lower end merchants did- they stayed through it all. All of a sudden downtown B’klyn has been “discovered” and the manhattanites want to make it mini-manhattan. Let it alone. Fulton St. will evolve on its own, – it always has. While I love all those little chi-chi stores and coffee shops, I don’t want Fulton Mall become a caricature of what manhattan thinks Brooklyn should be. Fulton Mall was obviously doing fine before it was discovered- it doesn’t need to become a millionaires mile. And for those who love making racist comments and ignorant remarks- instead of showing off how stupid you are, why don’t you just mosey on over to kkk.com.You’ll feel right at home.
“The problem with the Fulton Mall is not that it is too black,but that is too shitty to to ocupy this prime location in the heart of the downtown in a city as great as Brooklyn.”
I think everyone can agree with this statement, regardless of race or class. Well said.
brownbomber– those remarks have been made by kids since time began. that is a bigger issue, WAAAY beyond the scope of what this board is talking about right now.
i was at the fulton st mall yesterday, walking thru on my way to bklyn heights but also stopped at some choice sneaker stores. at dr jay’s as i went upstairs, 4 black kids, all about 10-12 years old were coming down, saw me and the last one said, “hi, mr woo chong.”
how is it that such young kids already learn to make such racist/ignorant remarks?
Wow!! I’m staying out of it! Enough said…. 🙂
Max,
I disagree with the reasoning behind keeping the top floor vacant. Whoever owns these buildings are making money hand over fist. The least that they could do is update their buildings and try to attract new/additional tenants. There’s no explanation for an entire building being boarded up in downtown Brooklyn, which I’ve seen over and over again on the side streets. If you can’t afford to bring your building up to code then you ought to be forced to sell it.