Living in Crown Heights
Crown Heights gets the New York Times’ Living In treatment this weekend, along with a lead photo of the racial diversity on display at the popular watering hole Franklin Park. Since most of us are familiar enough with the area, we can dispense with the basics and cut straight to the controversy. The article mentions…
Crown Heights gets the New York Times’ Living In treatment this weekend, along with a lead photo of the racial diversity on display at the popular watering hole Franklin Park. Since most of us are familiar enough with the area, we can dispense with the basics and cut straight to the controversy. The article mentions a pair of couples that are in contract to buy a house together on Sterling Place. Here’s some of the rationale:
In the two couples’ eyes, attractions included ethnic diversity and affordability, and — in contrast with other possibilities, like Bedford-Stuyvesant — relative greenness. As Ms. Kelly put it, There were just a lot of trees around, and a lot of families, and a lot of walking space.
Diss! Our question is: Which of the two neighborhoods has one the Greenest Block honors more? Anyone know?
Living In: Crown Heights [Brownstoner]
Photo by nrvlowdown
“Our question is: Which of the two neighborhoods has one the Greenest Block honors more? Anyone know?”
And, is “one” an appropriate substitute for “won?”
Montrose-
If it makes you feel better, the New York Times misrepresents every neighborhood this way, not just Crown Heights. The only acceptable prism is that of Sex and The City privilege meets “undiscovered country”. Its embarrassing, but the Times is writing for its clueless audience and promoting the agenda of the real estate industry which is the Times primary advertiser. Of course, the Times only “discovers” a neighborhood when it is clear that it is attractive to its readers.
The neighborhood coverage in the Times could be so much better. Unfortunately, the new Wall Street Journal New York coverage will do little to encourage real on the street reporting.
That is why God invented blogging.
“We do have a lot of tree lined streets, which help make the neighborhood quite beautiful. We do, as they quoted realtor Greg Todd, whom I know, have a proud tradition of long time black homeownership, which has helped to preserve our incredible architecture.”
Worth repeating.
“but it’s the only CH watering hole/hip place they seem to mention these days anymore (is it the only one? and is it the only “hip” place they have to offer?”
Hopefuly yes, and in that way we will manage to keep trend-sucking, self-important posers away from here and leave Crown Heights just as it is.
Thank you, MM! You summed up much of my same feelings about that article. Good to see CH get the nod. Just wish the people who write such stories for the NYT, NYM, etc., were better observers, researchers and reporters instead of clueless tourists with a keyboard and a mass distribution outlet.
And yes,NOP,I always welcome your posts as well. Especially since they so often remind me of my own childhood years growing up in Bed Stuy.
lol i love your posts too NOP, but when i read them i picture you as that character that john waters used to play on saturday night live
*Rob*
when people buy in crown heights (and really most brownstone neighborhoods in brooklyn) what is the plan with respect to schools? do people just generally get comfortable with the public schools or does everyone send their kids to private school (i can’t imagine that’s true, for reasons financial and otherwise)?
A friend who also lives in Crown Heights called me yesterday to ask if I’d read the article, and we had a fun discussion talking about the public perceptions and misconceptions of Crown Heights.
First of all, I know Rob will say anything snarky just to be bitter and cynical, but people don’t move here only because they can’t afford to live anywhere “better”. Let’s get that out of the way right now. Rob, to my knowledge, you’ve never set foot in CH, so that makes your opinion worth…..???
I’m glad we’re getting some semi-positive coverage, but why can’t they send reporters out to get the real story on a neighborhood? Just once, please! Hipsters at Franklin Park do not a neighborhood make. This article was all over the place, half of which was not even in Crown Heights North, which was supposed to be the crux of the article, even if you just count the area where Franklin Park is. The article referenced the 1991 riot like a mantra. Is it necessary to bring that up everytime CH is mentioned? Do we bring up muggings and murders in Central or Prospect Park everytime they are mentioned? Is the Upper East Side linked with Bernie Madoff evertime the UES is in print? Do we have to reference the Stonewall Riots in order to talk about the West Village? I don’t think so. The riot took place in Crown Heights South, which is a whole other neighborhood, geographically, culturally and ethnically. It’s a long walk and two or three subway stops, and a world of difference between Franklin Park and Utica Avenue.
The article tried to cover so much that it covered nothing. We do have a lot of tree lined streets, which help make the neighborhood quite beautiful. We do, as they quoted realtor Greg Todd, whom I know, have a proud tradition of long time black homeownership, which has helped to preserve our incredible architecture. Both old timers and newcomers welcome the new businesses and services we are finally getting. Art galleries and coffee shops are opening.
I went to a screening of a rough cut of a new film about gentrification in Crown Heights on Sat. nite. The gallery on St. Johns Place was packed to standing room, and after we watched the short exerpt, the film makers, Abeni Garrett and Laurel Brown, led an interesting and long discussion with the audience about gentrification in CH. Those taking part in the discussion were the future of the neighborhood, and included young, old, black, white, Asian and Latino, gay and straight, artists and businesspeople. Everyone wanted to preserve our great neighborhood and make it better for all, including those who felt threatened by new arrivals. We may not have come up with hard and fast solutions to complex social and economic problems, but I left considerably cheered by the pride and love for the community. The New York Times should have covered that.
NOP, love your posts.
It’s really beautiful (was redone a few years ago), and the Brooklyn Children’s Museum is right there too – if you have kids, this is a great place for them – lots of interactive exhibits and really keeps their attention. And you’re pretty much in the heart of the Crown Heights North Historic District (I), so be sure to check out the amazing architecture all around you (huge thanks due to MM for that!).