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]
“All you liberal yuppies pretend to support colored-oriented businesses and non-gentrification, but you’re really a bunch of hypocrits.
Posted by: Anonymous at February 21, 2006 01:21 PM”
Don’t assume everyone is like the individual poster who makes an offensive comment. Stop stereotyping people based on the actions of individual who look like them.
You are being just as hypocritical.
They’re all hyprocits and NIMBYs.
Anonymous 01:07 PM. People have been pushing back and pushing for a long time now.
The yuppies(white w/ money) aren’t the only prejudice people in brooklyn. Prejudice people come in EVERY color, religion, and income/wealth group.
Not all yuppies are prejudice.
Lets all improve Brooklyn and make it the best it can be.
I guess anonymous blogs are the new white head-dresses, providing security and anonymity to the new kkk.
It’s not the ‘elements’ that ruin the experience of the fulton mall…it’s the decrepit buildings, over-crowded signage, etc. (also, the lack of bars/restaurants/book-stores/music stores that stay open after 9pm).
I think the spotlight belongs on the property owners rather than the patrons.
With regards to Frasier and timid Manhattanites….true, cosmopolitan New Yorkers (Manhattanites included) are able to co-exist with all socio-economic groups within a public space. They are as much at home on Canal Street as they are at a dinner party in grammercy park
They’ve survived all the grittiness of NYC during the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s….it’s these people that have made Park Slope, Fort Greene, Boerum Hill the treasured enclaves that they now are.
They are constructive, not shallow and, scared of humanity.
All you liberal yuppies pretend to support colored-oriented businesses and non-gentrification, but you’re really a bunch of hypocrits.
And does the Fulton Mall in its current state contribute to the creation of a just society for all people? And it’s great that there are all these businesses on Fulton St, but where are you going to get some decent, well-made, well-priced clothes for your kid (and also have a shopping experience that might keep him entertained and manageable for a bit? The promise of a trip to Toys R Us is extremely powerful!) among the above options? The Children’s Place is a great alternative for this, and one in Restoration Plaza would do extremely well, I’d imagine.
Creation of a just society for all people is a much, much larger issue than can possibly be addressed here.
Prescription drugs ain’t the only kind of drugs you can purchase in Bed-Stuy.
I think we, as in everyone, should not pay attention to ridiculous comments. If you don’t have anything constructive to say why share you warped views of the world.
Brooklyn should always strive to improve the quality of life for all is current and future residents.
“…and for the one who said “Downtown Brooklyn is the reason why people still won’t move from Manhattan.” good…stay in manhattan.”
Exactly.
It’s only a matter of time before people start to “push back.”
Racist yuppies.