Downtown's Bedroom, Not Boardroom, Growth
Crain’s has a story saying Downtown has become Brooklyn’s “fastest-growing residential neighborhood,” a somewhat unexpected turn of events given that the city’s 2004 rezoning aimed to make the area the city’s third-biggest business district. The Downtown Brooklyn Partnership says 4,300 residential units have been constructed since ’04. Meanwhile, less than a third of the forecast…
Crain’s has a story saying Downtown has become Brooklyn’s “fastest-growing residential neighborhood,” a somewhat unexpected turn of events given that the city’s 2004 rezoning aimed to make the area the city’s third-biggest business district. The Downtown Brooklyn Partnership says 4,300 residential units have been constructed since ’04. Meanwhile, less than a third of the forecast 4.5 million square feet of new office space has been developed since then, and vacancy rates have gone up with the recession. Booster quote: “The boom, even since the downturn, would be the envy of any other American city, according to Joe Chan, president of the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership. Critic’s quote: “We were sold a bill of goods,” says Councilwoman Letitia James of the rezoning not living up to its promise. James says the area doesn’t have critical amenities like groceries and schools, and that more affordable housing would be welcome.
Downtown Brooklyn’s Residential Growth [Crain’s]
dead as in absolutely no foot traffic. dead as in there’s very few places to go for random stuff you may need (groceries? sorry 11217 – a 15 minute walk to whole foods doesn’t count)
Yeah, and? What’s wrong with that? I have a car and a bike. I can leave the immediate area to get what I want. Why exactly do I WANT foot traffic? I like it quiet.
“I was on Montague about 2 weeks ago (on a weeknight) and saw approximately 3 people total from end to end. It was around 9:30pm. ”
sorry – once again – you can’t compare being on a quiet street in a residential neighborhood and being in a deserted business district.
and montague is a weird hybrid – since it caters almost exclusively to downtown brooklyn office workers.
Minard,
I was on Montague about 2 weeks ago (on a weeknight) and saw approximately 3 people total from end to end. It was around 9:30pm.
I hate places that are dead after the commuters leave.
Real residential neighborhoods have a life during the day and at night past seven o’clock.
What is leticia james talking about…who was “sold a bill of goods”
I am disappointed that more office buildings werent built but we did just go through the biggest recession in decades – if offices were built they would mostly be vacant anyway – so the addition of successful residential development should be welcomed….as for the lack of groceries etc…if it was such a big problem people wouldnt be moving to these buildings in droves and besides its a chicken and egg situation anyway as the Toren deal shows…but I fail to see how james or the community was sold a bill of anything – no one promised the developments (whatever they were) was going to be boom of retail stores.
Don’t know about FiDi, but DTBK is nice at night. It’s quiet around metrotech but there is still a good amount of “foot traffic” going between the F,A,C &R and the Oro/Avalon/Toren areas. Willoughby is a little less so, but once the two new rental towers are built with the park it will have more people (not saying it will happen in 2011 or 2012, but sooner or later). I also see a few business people and tourists staying in the new hotels on Duffield (Aloft opening in March). The urban market will also open in May at the North end of the City Point site which will be a welcome development over the closed off construction area.
DH is right on the “NOBODY on the street” dead on many blocks though. I like the area cause it’s relatively cheap rent, great subway access, good schools, and safe
i’m not talking about bars. i’m talking about general foot traffic one encounters being in a RESIDENTIAL neighborhood – where people live, and typically venture outside after normal business hours.
it’s a lot different walking on a quiet residential block in park slope at night, and walking through a deserted business district.
it’s a weird feeling, and it definitely gets to you.
Given the number of highrise residential buildings that have gone up in downtown Brooklyn in the past few years, how is it becoming “Brooklyn’s “fastest-growing residential neighborhood” a “somewhat unexpected turn of events?”