New York Shitty Photo Du Jour: Barclays Center

September 7, 2014 ·
Filed under: 11217, Gentrification, Park Slope, Park Slope Brooklyn, Stuff The Makes Heather Sad

Taken September 7, 2014.

Long Island City Photos Du Jour: End Of An Era

September 2, 2014 ·
Filed under: 11101, Gentrification, Long Island City, Long Island City Queens, Stuff The Makes Heather Sad

Taken September 2, 2014.

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The Word On The Street: McGuinness Boulevard

September 1, 2014 ·
Filed under: 11222, Abjectecture, Gentrification, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, The Word On The Street

It’s been a long time— perhaps too long— since I have lavished attention upon the Belvedere Empire. You know, those serial numbered, Neoclassical “by the yard” excrescences with absurdly large balconies which have been popping up in our community for years? Well recently the Mister and I were walking down McGuinness Boulevard. That is where we beheld this. We were not the only ones who took notice either.

Going to move in?

A woman exiting the Polam Supermarket asked. to wit I answered.

Oh, ABSOLUTELY.

I replied. Sarcasm noted (and appreciated) she added:

They have buildings all over the place.

I know, I know. I replied. They ugly as shit and sport those ridiculous balconies. But this one is the biggest of the lot. Hell, it is not a building. It is fucking billboard.

My new friend informed me the lettering went up last week. Clearly she is keeping on top of this matter. Excellent!

I go in for a closer look.

Lo and behold, a love letter from the Department of Buildings! Naturally I had to look this up on the their online database and see what gives. Here is what I found.

Scaffolding issues, violating a Stop Work Order and storing combustible material without a permit. These sound vaguely familiar. OH WAIT this is why!

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From The New York Shitty Photo Pool: RIP

August 27, 2014 ·
Filed under: Brooklyn, Gentrification, Gowanus, Stuff The Makes Heather Sad, The Word On The Street

Taken by Axel Taferner.

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From The New York Shitty Inbox…

August 20, 2014 ·
Filed under: 11222, Gentrification, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic

A fellow named James writes:

Hi Heather, this is James Jones. I’ve lived on Green St. for a very long time and I’m a big fan of Newyorkshitty.com. I am a filmmaker and a few months ago I had a chance to interview Steven Goldsholle, of Goldscholle plumbing on Manhattan Avenue, a few days before he closed his business down. I made several film shorts from the interview. He talks about how Greenpoint has changed, the store’s history and his plans for retirement. If you think any of this may be of interest to your readers, please feel free to provide a link to this channel or one of the films. Either way, I’ll keep reading! Thanks.

Naturally I am not going to pass up a chance to share this. Without further ado, let ’em roll!

Mr. Goldscholle and Greenpoint #1 from myfavoritethingy on Vimeo.

Mr. Goldscholle and Greenpoint #2 from myfavoritethingy on Vimeo.

Mr. Goldscholle and Greenpoint #3 from myfavoritethingy on Vimeo.

Mr. Goldsholle and Greenpoint #4 from myfavoritethingy on Vimeo.

Thanks so much for sharing this with me, James! A great many of us, including of course the local canines, miss us some Steve.

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An Honor Roll Of Restaurants Past…

Last night I had one helluva time falling asleep. Instead of counting sheep I decided to recount restaurants I liked in this city that are no more. Let’s just say it has been on the brain of late.* Here’s a partial list:

Bleu Drawes: Jamaican food in Greenpoint? Yes, once there was! This was on Commercial Street, now the space is occupied by Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory.
Oznot’s Dish: Berry Street, replaced by Silent h
Silent h: (see above) , replaced by a French bistro. This was the place which really got me into Vietnamese food.
Barossa: Graham Avenue, replaced by Gwinnett Street whose menu is mildly upscale “artsy” food. (I do not recall the latest name for this establishment, but I imagine part of the reason for the name change was one of the owners being charged with handling narcotics. you can’t make this shit up, folks.).
Kenny’s Trattoria: Havemeyer Street, razed for residential development.
Taco Bite: South 4 Street at Rodney, replaced by a short-lived vegetarian/health food restaurant.
Grand Sichuan: Canal Street, razed so as to build a hotel.
Conos al Pescatore: Graham Avenue. Replaced by Sage an upscale Asian fusion establishment (which I will admit serves pretty good food— but still).
La Vuelta: 45th Road, replaced by a barbecue joint.
Village Mingala: Burmese restaurant whose East 5 Street location is now a Michelin recommended bistro. ASIDE: this leaves one Burmese restaurant in New York City.
El Paso: Houston Street, new tenant TBD
Casa Mon Amour: Franklin Street. They served Dominican food. Now the space is occupied by Vamos al Tequila (which is a fairly good replacement). The folks at Vamos al Tequila have my business for life for simply having the temerity to post the sign gracing the beginning of this post. I can only imagine what necessitated its creation.
Driggs Pizzeria: Driggs Avenue (duh), replaced by Two Boots. This one infuriates me as much as Village Mingala’s closure (READ: A LOT).
Monsignor’s: Bedford Avenue, now Lokal
Rocco’s Ristaurante: Thompson Street, taken over by these guys.
L.A. Ristorante: Manhattan Avenue, now a magazine/cigar store. To their credit, they did retain some semblance of a restaurant— but it really isn’t the same.
Bean: North 8 Street. A nice little Mexican restaurant; now it is Pop’s.

Is it just me or is there an overall trend here? Anyone care to add?

*Thankfully it would appear John’s of East 12 Street has dodged becoming statistic. At least for now, anyway…

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From The New York Shitty Inbox: It Came From Beneath The Creek

August 6, 2014 ·
Filed under: 11222, Gentrification, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic

Or: Release The Kraken!

This corker was sent to me a couple months ago via anonymous tipster. I tabled sharing it until I felt the time was right. Today, for reasons which will soon become apparent, is that day. The above polemic was created shortly after the 2005 rezone. As it was explained to me (by said tipster) its purpose was to criticize GWAPP assuming the lion’s share of credit for the successful fight against the Trans Gas power plant which was slated to grace Bushwick Inlet. For those of you who were not here in 2005 (and I suspect there are many) I present the following video from NY1.

If the above “Community Activist” looks/sounds familiar it is because:

1. He was recently appointed* to the advisory board of the new “GWAPP”.

2. And I also recently verified that contrary to what is stated in this gent’s biography on the aforementioned site (an excerpt of which is above), Mr. Perlmutter is not now nor was he ever under the employ of Develop Don’t Destroy Brooklyn.
Interesting yes? Well today I had the item at left brought to my attention by my buddy Crappy. It got me to thinking— and finally it hit me:

What is not mentioned in this biography is every bit as fascinating— if not more so— than what is.

Namely, that in addition to being a “Community Activist” in the fight against the Trans Gas power plant, Mr. Perlmutter also happened to be under the hire of George Klein, the fellow responsible for Greenpoint Landing, so as to argue in favor of the 2005 rezone.

But don’t take my word for it. It is stated quite clearly in the April 29, 2005 edition of the New York Daily News.

(You can/should read the rest here.)

Straight up: as the featured cartoon attests, GWAPP has been the subject of controversy for some time. Controversy which persists to this very day. Controversy which would have, could have, should have been avoided by the simple practice of transparency.

Greenpoint Landing, regrettably, is going to happen whether we want it or not. That’s reality. However, I do not think expecting an organization which purports to represent the interests of the community giving full disclosure of their activities and board/advisory panel’s business relationships— past and present— is asking too much. Or is it? Now if you don’t mind, gentle readers, I am off to corner the market on ear plugs. I sense a very lucrative entrepreneurial opportunity is at hand!

*By a panel which includes his spouse. How’s that for nepotism?*

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Quicklink: A Story To Tell

August 3, 2014 ·
Filed under: 11211, 11222, 11249, Bushwick, Bushwick Brooklyn, East Williamsburg, East Williamsburg Brooklyn, Gentrification, Gowanus, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Maspeth, Maspeth Queens, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn

This tome was brought to my attention by a fellow named Richard. Richard is a resident of Lawrence, Kansas. This Letter to the Powers That Be, not surprisingly, pertains to matters in Lawrence, Kansas. However, while reading this tome more than one community hereabouts— and the non/not-for-profit organizations (which purport to act as a “voice”/”advocate” for the aforementioned communities) came to mind. I do not think I need to list/name the previous here, gentle readers. We know them.*

Follows is an excerpt from this essay so as the pique your interest:

…I have been long in forming my opinion of the Cultural Arts District and the 9^th Street Corridor. When the pros and cons of the issue are laid across a scale, I find myself on the side of favor. I am in support of the Cultural Arts District and 9^th Street Corridor in East Lawrence. I am excited at the prospect of renewal and repair that the Cultural District designation dollars can bring. I want new sidewalks and safer lighting and renovated limestone curbs and bricks in my streets. I want the businesses in my neighborhood to thrive and prosper and have the funds to reinvest in my community. I want an economic base that can support an East Lawrence or Downtown grocery store. I want my daughters to grow up in a vibrant, thriving neighborhood that supports the arts and creativity. I am personally invested in positive outcomes for the Cultural Arts District.

And yet…

There remains a sense of unease when I think about what will happen as the Cultural Arts District and 9^th Street Corridor develop. I cannot shake the feeling of anxiety, of foreboding, of “ick” in my belly and bad smell wrinkle in my nose. And this time, it isn’t a downdraft from the wastewater treatment plant (Emphasis mine— Ed. Note) or the river. It’s the aftertaste of cultural co-option. But what does that mean, you say? I can’t explain it to you without the help of Alice Walker. Here’s where the story comes in…

You can— no, make that should— read this essay in its entirety by clicking here. Pass it along. Who knows? Maybe it’ll inspire someone (else) in our fair burgh/city to speak up?

*Hence why I found this excerpt of Adam “GWAPP Advisory Board” Perlmutter’s biography so fascinating:

…Adam is a currently lawyer for Develop Don’t Destroy Brooklyn opposing the Atlantic Yards project …

Speaking as a resident of Greenpoint for fourteen years now who knows quite a few bloggers— bloggers who have taken a keen interest in Atlantic Yards, no less— I have not once heard his name mentioned. What’s more, someone closely connected with DDDB confirmed my suspicions:

He isn’t in the employ and never was. He volunteered with DDDB about 9 years ago and helped them find their great lawyer Matt Brinckerhoff – but he’s not done anything with them for about 7 years.

Hmm…

“About” seven years ago Mr. Perlumutter signed off on the by-laws of Open Space Alliance North Brooklyn.