PACC is Wack
The future of the Bodegas space on the corner of Clinton and Fulton is of great concern to everyone we know in the neighborhood. Since the restaurant closed at the beginning of the year (in a domino effect caused by money problems and nasty landlords at Liquors), the rumors have been flying. The space is…
The future of the Bodegas space on the corner of Clinton and Fulton is of great concern to everyone we know in the neighborhood. Since the restaurant closed at the beginning of the year (in a domino effect caused by money problems and nasty landlords at Liquors), the rumors have been flying. The space is of particular importance because of its location at the gateway to Clinton Hill on a commercial stretch of road that has been crying out for improvement for years. So it was disbelief that we heard recently that the Pratt Area Community Council (which owns the building) took time out from destroying the aesthetics of the historic neighborhood to turn down an offer from a successful local business owner who wanted to open a wine bar in the space. And for what? PACC told this business owner that it had done a survey that showed residents wanted an Applebees! Yeah, right. This weekend, Clinton Hill Blog reported a rumor that PACC had recently shown the space to North Fork Bank. At least the nabe does need a bank (more than an Applebees), but, geez, turning down someone with a proven track record who wants to put an upscale establishment in this crappy stretch of Fulton? If the organization takes the credit of low-income renters and buyers, surely it can rent to a local business.
Store Rumors [Clinton Hill Blog]
Future of Bodegas & Liquors Thrown Into Question [Brownstoner]
Corner of Clinton and Fulton Up for Grabs [Brooklyn Record]
Last time I checked, the USoA is largely a capitalist society. If you don’t want Applebees, don’t go there. If free market theories are correct, the place will get no business and shut down. Easy. Why should the government decide what business establishment gets to open? Next thing you know gays must wear blue hats and women must ride on the outside of buses. Yay facism!
Let’s face it, Brooklyn is not what it used to be. Nothing will bring it back.
Why can’t all you carpet baggers move back to Ohio?
A wine shop? I don’t think a majority of people in Clinton Hill want a new wine shop.
I agree that this is both a race and class issue – and also understand (kinda) why white people are so reluctant to factor race into these discussions. Is it silly to suggest that an Applebees would yield more people of color in Clinton Hill than a wine store? I don’t think so.
This conversation is typical gentrification fare – new people in a neighborhood trying to set up infrastructure for their own personal benefit, not that of the larger community or the life-long residents. Williamsburg is awesome – lets just open a health food store, a few bars, just just change this and change that… and before you know it, Williamsburg is not Williamsburg anymore. Keep it up, and Clinton Hill will suffer the same fate.
Lots of people living in our area below the poverty line. I bet many of them have never even been to a restaurant. Yes that’s right. I know it’s heretical. But I guarantee you it’s true. I wish some rich donor would open up the same storefront they have in I think it’s Kingston, NY, or somewhere upstate, where parents can get all the fixins for a birthday party for their kids free of charge with no questions asked. That would be a nice thing to have in our area and would truly reflect the diversity of our neighborhood and its needs. Couldn’t we all give up one restaurant in order to make some kid feel special for a day?
PACC sucks. One time I had a deadbeat tenant with serious health problems in my building. I wanted to help him find another place and move on after not paying rent for over a year. I didn’t want to evict him. I went down to PACC and they told me they couldn’t help me because I was the landlord in this dispute. It was totally pathetic. Just because I was the landlord didn’t mean I didn’t want to help that guy. Eventually he ended up moving out after I took him to court and he’s staying with friends. But come on. This is a property near PACC’s offices and they just turned a blind eye on it because he’s the tenant and I’m the landlord. Thanks a lot!
PACC commissioned a survey of local residents (pretty small sample size though). The rsults can be seen here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/DisplaySummary.asp?SID=859957&U=85995739837
It’s both a race and a class issue because race and class are inexorably linked.
To hell with Applebees. I hope the biggest, funkiest KFC you’ve ever seen opens in that location.
Hey Julio, people make it into a race issue because they are race-monomaniacs. Even if the community was all white, the people here not wanting an Applebees would still not want it.
This is a classist issue. People go to Applebees becuase they’ve seen it advertise on TV and feel safe. They understand the menu,
“It bugs me when people try to make out asking for fresh and healthy food is a race issue.”
It becomes a race issue when you think that your own personal, neurotic concerns about ‘health’ and food should override the wishes of the entire community of Clinton Hill, which is predominantly African American. Your attitude is the height of arrogance and a clear illustration of one especially pernicious form of racism.
How about a community cooperative bakery that would provide paid and volunteer workers churning out healthy bread which is absent in practically all of Brooklyn. Black, White, Green, bread is the staff of life!