New Bed-Stuy More Like Old Bed-Stuy?
Bedford Stuyvesant was the childhood home of both Billy Joel Norman Mailer and Lena Horne, reports Globe St., and it’s posed to become such an artistically, economically and racially diverse neighborhood again. “In recent years, Bed-Stuy’s population has begun rebounding and the demographic mix of that population has been diversifying. Those with a historical bent…
Bedford Stuyvesant was the childhood home of both Billy Joel Norman Mailer and Lena Horne, reports Globe St., and it’s posed to become such an artistically, economically and racially diverse neighborhood again. “In recent years, Bed-Stuy’s population has begun rebounding and the demographic mix of that population has been diversifying. Those with a historical bent might point out that the demographics are returning to the kind of diversity seen here in former years.” Of course, some of that is code for white people moving in, and as we know from yesterday’s discussion of the reversal of what demographers call “white flight,” that doesn’t necessarily mean a neighorhood’s on the upswing. Here’s what they report it has going for it: Last year, the Bed-Stuy Gateway Business Improvement District was formed; most of the area still qualifies for the 421-a tax abatement program, despite changes to it in July; and they’ve seen an influx of retail — Home Depot, Applebee’s and a consumer banking center are cited. Wait, aren’t we the borough of Mom and Pop shops?
A Tree Grows in Bed-Stuy [Globe St]
Brooklyn Brownstones. Photo by sfcityscape.
Frank Woolworth also lived in Bedford Stuyvesant from 1886-1901 at 209 Jefferson. Then he moved to Park Ave int he city.
I disagree, I went back and read the article again. Aside from a few nods to diversity, and rising boats, the article is 90% devoted to the idea that BS is a potential gold mine for developers with adventure in their hearts and money in their hands. The parts of the article devoted to the retail hub, future BID, and the subway are only mentioned as enticement to developers – if you build it, they can get there.
As to the nod to Norman and Lena, and the diversity of the 50’s, that’s just code for “white folks have moved back in, it’s ok for you to buy and build now.” Nowhere is there a mention of cultural traditions, the churches, the tree lined blocks that have been homes for generations, or the historic nature of the entire neighborhood. I wouldn’t even have had a problem with trotting out Stuyvesant Heights as the poster child of the new BS, with its diverse population, rising income level, amenities, etc. We got none of the human factor, only an impression of vast potential, waiting to be snapped up.
As I said in my first post, I have no problem with progress. I only have problems with progress running roughshod over a community I care about, like we’re not here. Articles like this give that impression.
This area has the same brownstones that you find in Park Slope. Crown Heights even has some grander homes than both areas. Bedford Stuyvesant is screaming for gentrification to come. Overall the homes are not that crazy in price 600K-900K and you have a nice brownstone with all your original details. Schools ave gone from F to A in grades. Organic markets are opening as well as farmer market, resturants and coffee houses. The old neighborhood bars like liquid lounge and Sugar Hill add to the charter of the neighborhood that makes the area great.
but if it makes me feel better about myself, then it can’t be bad. country first!
(note: this comment is written with sarcasm.)
Beat downs are an effective educational tool on a blog!!! Pushing from behind is just bad subway etiquette i disagree.
Thanks Sebb… “For $700k you can get a Beautiful Home.”
That definitely is the price range for most young families and people in the arts. Maybe I’ll get two!
btw dave, no beat-downs from me for you or anyone else who lives in bedstuy. now, if you were daveinparkslope, i might, like, push you a little from behind or something and then pretend it wasn’t me…
i’m going to be delicate about this because i know it’s a sensitive topic. but, MM, i think you need to read the article again with a less jaundiced eye, because you’re vastly overstating the case when you say that it shows a “total disregard” for the community.
yes, the article discusses increased diversity and improvement of the retail sector and does use some cringe-worthy language. but the article has also has numerous references that a less biased reader could read as urging concern and respect for the present community – a discussion of “lifting all boats,” a discussion of the fact that the “whole market” is underserved, and a discussion of the unique character of the neighborhood with an implication that such character should be preserved. you may not find those references sincere, but that’s a different, and probably more productive, discussion.
anyway, i understand your point but i think you’d serve it better by being less hyperbolic in your reaction to pieces like these that express goals and priorities that are, it seems to me, only in part at odds with your own.
Actually, Polemicist, just looking back on what I wrote, I don’t see anything that the majority of the black Bed Stuy community could argue with in my initial or even subsequent post. You haven’t got a clue, here.