July 2008 Archives
15 Jul 2008
- ◉ Williamsburg Lament
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The view from 80 Metropolitan (for now).
On Curbed today, an owner at the Mill laments the loss of his sliver view of the Williamsburg Bridge - blocked in part by the construction of 80 Metropolitan. Which brings to mind the old NYC adage that if you want views that can't be blocked, buy on the park. (I think the adage refers to Central Park, but I suppose it applies to McCarren too.)
80 Metropolitan's website proves the point. That million dollar view in the first Flash screen is probably not long for this world - Domino's development of 20 to 40 story towers (shaded red above) will easily block the bridge views in this image, leaving the Woolworth building and Knickerbocker Village. The view west is already crap (the last bit of industrial waterfront in Williamsburg, which is owned by Con Ed and probably not going anywhere), and the view to the north is quickly being eaten up by 184 Kent, Northside Piers and the Edge.
Even Northside Piers is about to block its own views - the new towers that are part of phase 2 will block much of the western views from phase 1.
Just goes to show.
- ◉ Rangel Will Give Up One Rent-Stabilized Apartment
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I was out of town when this hit, so am coming to it a bit late. Based on what I've read, it seems as though Rangel was on thin ice for using one rent-stabilized for purposes other than a primary residence (it was his campaign office), but is OK on the other three because the mini-compound forms his primary residence. So today he has given up the campaign office, but is keeping the others.
Fair enough, its apparently all legal. But can someone explain to me why its legal? Why is a program that is designed to make more housing available allowing people to "live" in more than one apartment? This isn't a question of Rangel's right to live in three apartments, but one of a rent stabilization law that would allow any tenant to occupy more than one apartment.
Moronic.
14 Jul 2008
- ◉ Frustration Brewing Over Disdain for Industrial Space
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An excerpted version of Hindy's longer piece on the lack of affordable manufacturing space in Brooklyn, originally published by the Center for an Urban Future. The original article was in pdf format only, so some may have missed it; even if you downloaded it, its worth a second read to remind yourself that the City is quickly losing some of its most valuable economic resources.
- ◉ Machete Maniac Hacks Two in Williamsburg
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According to the latest NYPD figures, felonious assaults in Williamsburg are up 21 percent this year, from 96 to 116 as of last July 6.
Its hard not to notice the huge increase in beat cops on the street the past few months, and there have been rumors of knife attacks (even machete attacks) in the past few months. In this case, it sounds like a vendetta incident, but previous attacks have been more random.
- ◉ Key Pols Endorse de Blasio for BP
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Nydia Velasquez and Yvette Clarke have endorsed Bill de Blasio for Brooklyn Boro President. Clarke had this to say about her former campaign manager:
No other voice has been as strident about our children's education as Bill de Blasio.
Clearly, Clarke's speechwriter needs a dictionary.
7 Jul 2008
3 Jul 2008
- ◉ Politics Failed, but Fuel Prices Cut Congestion
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Only without the benefit of increased mass transit services.
2 Jul 2008
- ◉ Cement Truck Drivers' Strike Stalls NYC Construction
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This would have been a little more effective last week, when every construction site in the city was rushing to meet a 421-a deadline.
1 Jul 2008
- ◉ Following the Music to Brooklyn
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The "downtown" music scene is slowly shifting across the East River, and much of the activity is happening in Williamsburg (with the Southside once again leading the way). The Knitting Factory - a Tribeca mainstay back to the '80s - is moving into the space recently occupied by Luna Lounge (itself a Manhattan transplant). Elsewhere,
multiplicity defines much of what is happening in Brooklyn, whether it's at a Bushwick loft or Williamsburg bars such as Monkey Town or Zebulon, or in Park Slope at Barbes or the Tea Lounge. Such neighborhood focal points juggle jazz with experimental or world music, chamber strings or bluegrass, selling beer all the while to make the rent.
And not in Williamsburg, the Issue Project Room (now in Gowanus) is slated to take over the ground floor space at 110 Livingston.
- ◉ Voice on Isaac Abraham
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I mentioned back in February that Isaac Abraham would be entering the very crowded race for Yassky's 33rd Council seat. I missed posting on Abraham's official announcement this past week, but now the Voice has an somewhat extended profile of the latest official entrant into the race.
- ◉ Greenpoint Restaurants
- Food in the Garden Spot, from the Times. I will admit that I've only ever been to Lomzynianka.