Commercial Klutch: October Edition

Our nameless commercial correspondent gets up to his old tricks again this month…Completed at night to avoid enforcement, 44 Court removed its exterior renovation sidewalk bridge way earlier than expected. We’d say thanks but for the partial daytime removal over an open sidewalk on one of the busiest blocks around. Photo shows detail of this once fine building, Temple Bar, about which ‘Montrose Morris’ could tell us much.

Jay Street blessed. Toys ‘R Us pop-up store – hurry won’t be there long, temp is the new perm…After years of hoching, MTA finally tuning up ceiling above Jay Street station. Mazel Tov…Quaker duel over former Diocese school on Sidney Place. Mary McDowell beat out Friends…Overpriced development site around 350 Livingston has another deal fall.

Market signs (pun intended); a basement Filene’s Basement coming the Fulton Mall, Barney’s Co-op selling seriously steep schmatta on Atlantic Avenue, $37.50 lease extension at 16 Court Street. Market prices steady, activity way up this fall.

Did you know there are 1,100,000 square feet vacant south of hot Gowanus area owned by the Feds? Beep, Congresswoman, EDC and City working almost 10 years to liberate the building from ‘Washington’ for industrial use. Fed-hired out of town appraisers with zero local knowledge filed absurd appraisal. Building worth less than nothing. Three finalists waiting forever for final decision.