Municipal Building: From Marriage Licenses to Lattes?
The clerks and accountants who currently occupy the two ground floors of the municipal building at the corner of Joralemon and Court could be moving out to make room for cafes and home design shops if the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership has its way. The group, which is both publicly and privately funded, thinks converting the…
The clerks and accountants who currently occupy the two ground floors of the municipal building at the corner of Joralemon and Court could be moving out to make room for cafes and home design shops if the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership has its way. The group, which is both publicly and privately funded, thinks converting the 22,000 square feet of space to retail is a “no-brainer,” according to Joe Chan. While City Hall tries to figure out if moving the paper-pushers to a new location is realistic, civic and preservation groups are weighing in. “The place where you once went to get your public documents is now where you’re going to buy your latte,” said the Municipal Art Society’s Lisa Kersavage. “That changes the character. That’s not always a tragedy, but it’s something we all need to consider.” The Brooklyn Heights Association’s Judy Stanton likes the idea of retail but is wary of the Bed, Bath & Beyonds of this world. “I would rather see a lot of smaller shops,” she said. What about you?
Two Floors of Municipal Building May Get Shops [NY Daily News]
Photo by wallyg
I smell Brooklyn’s first Apple Store.
One imagines the will move the metal detectors. My vote is for Bed Bath & Beyond or similar large retail anchor. You people with your “Design Malls” and “smaller eclectic shops” need to get over yourselves.
It already annoying to use the post office there since you have to wait in line to go through the metal detector. I can imagine the line to go to a Starbucks.
Change, yes. Chains, no.
Great idea!
It will transform this dreary and ugly corner. I like the idea of one big store.
We have plenty of little stores already.
An Apple store would be ideal. So would Pottery Barn or Crate & Barrel, or Gracious Home. Something a little better than the usual jewelry outlet or Radio shack thing…and PLEASE no more banks or real estate offices!
please no… this is a horrible idea. there is no such thing as a nice mini-mall.
How about an Apple Store?
I like the idea of a design mall also.
Something like the Buenos Aires Design Mall in Argentina would be amazing.
Anchored by a large retailer (which could be Bed Bath & beyond or another significant chain), the space might make a nice mini-mall filled with smaller outlets.
I bet this when we finally get our Wal Mart.