Quick Links: Village Voice & Larry Da Junkman

November 7, 2013 ·
Filed under: 11215, Culture War, Gentrification, Park Slope, Park Slope Brooklyn 

VVlarry

Every so often I am reminded that I know some pretty darned interesting people. This morning (when this tome from the Village Voice was brought to my attention) is just such an example. I clicked on the link and sipped my coffee. After it pulled up I found myself muttering:

I know that guy in the gorilla suit.

It’s true. I do. What’s more I have to say I am really jazzed by the thoughtful commentary Larry tenders in both the previously-mentioned article and this Op-ED which can be found on his blog. Follow is a teaser from the latter:

…The issue here was always a bigger picture of a changing City and country. The idea of a flea market being a corporation is embarrassing. A flea market is a community of various people coming together and realizing that they could be an outdoor store of used items; some are junk, some are collectible, and some are antiques. Some junk turns out to be a rare antique, and some antiques turn out to be reproductions. Some people are selling off their dead dad’s pipes, and some people are selling their dead fishes, (not needed anymore) fish tank. It is hard to believe that it is packaged as something to be marketed and trademarked. It’s embarrassing laughable, not for Brooklyn Flea, but for customers who believe the preciousness of it all…

Give ’em a read!

The Word On The Street: Progress

PROGRESS

1059manhattanave

manhattan avenue

As spied this morning at 1059 Manhattan Avenue. Get out there and vote today, north Brooklynites!

Greenpoint Photos Du Jour: Manhattan Avenue

November 2, 2013 ·
Filed under: 11222, Gentrification, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic 

981 manhattan ave

984 man ave

Taken November 1, 2013.

Quicklink: Live From The Department Of City Planning

October 16, 2013 ·
Filed under: 11222, Gentrification, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic 

Wed Oct 9 Public Hearing

Those of you who missed last week’s hearing at the Department of City Planning regarding Greenpoint Landing and 77 Commercial Street, do not despair. It’s online! Point and click your way here. And download this:

screencap

Start at 6:08. Here’s a general outline:

  • Jack Hammer of HPD outlines the affordable housing component. A Q & A session follows.
  • Melanie Myers, representing Greenpoint Landing Associates, speaks.
  • Lisa Gomez, a partner in this endeavor, speaks.
  • 34:59: Speakers against speak. I found Laura Hofmann’s and the most awesome speaker ever, Nancy, to be especially compelling. They speak sequentially starting at 1:02.06  .
  • Speakers in favor speak start at 1:11:43. Of particular interest to yours truly was the testimony of Adam Perlmutter. He was, after all, the attorney George Klein/The Park Tower Group hired to push for the 2005 Rezone in the first place. I wonder if he’s back on the “payroll”— so to speak?

 

From The New York Shitty Inbox: Room (Or Sofa) Sought

needroomNYS

 

This find hails from Hell’s Kitchen and comes courtesy of nutrichris. As you can see only sofas in nice areas need apply. I am going to go out on a limb here and suggest that if one has reached the point of considering sofa-surfing, the time for being choosy has long passed— but who am I to shit on someone’s dream?

From The New York Shitty Inbox: And Now A Word From Councilman Van Bramer

October 10, 2013 ·
Filed under: Gentrification, Maspeth, Maspeth Queens, Queens 

Knockdown-CenterBRAMER

So there have you.

Now In Greenpoint: “Condo Finishes”

October 10, 2013 ·
Filed under: 11222, Gentrification, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn 

CONDOFINISHES

 

Where do I start with this one? Well for starters invoking the word “condo” makes it quite clear to whom this solicitation is directed. They aspire to condo living— but have a rental budget. Personally I do not find that to be anything interesting or “new”. Rather, I interpret this as suggesting that most new rental properties hereabouts are poorly constructed, over-priced shit. This is because they are.

Therefore:

  • While undoubtedly quite expensive these apartments are of a higher quality of construction.
  • Simply stating “2 and 3 bedroom apartments that are not built like shit”, while honest, does not make for snappy copy. (Although I rather like it.)

Well played, Corcoran!

New York Shitty Videos Du Jour: Live From CB5

October 10, 2013 ·
Filed under: 11385, Gentrification, Maspeth, Maspeth Queens 

(Or: Somebody gets it!)

Straight up: do I relish someone stating that she does not want her community to become another Greenpoint? Not, not really. Although the truth can and does hurt, this lady is correct on all counts. It was pretty obvious to me the evening prior these fellows do not care. No matter how they care to spin it, the fact of the matter is they plan to import a client base and that client base will largely not care about what impact their behavior will have on the community. I have seen just this thing here many, many times before.

In closing I want to applaud:

  1. Mr. Giordano for his tactful manner of outlining the various, um, “behaviors” which have been documented at this establishment.
  2. Community Board 5 Queens for unanimously voting this endeavor down.

Well Done!

Video Credits: Nutrichris.

Quicklink: Honey Smacks

WGNAscChoice quote/excerpt:

…So residents of Greenpoint and Williamsburg, do you want Cheerios (real affordable housing at income levels that residents that are so desperate for a affordable home can afford) or Honey Smacks that the non-binding agreements by the Bloomberg administration and the City Council created. If you look at the tower plan from the 77 Commercial Street Environmental Assessment Statement, it lays out affordable housing which is out of reach to most residents and yet it’s heavily subsidized…

Subsidized = our tax dollars are paying for affordable housing that is not, in fact, affordable. Those of you who want to read a concise, easy to follow breakdown as to why affordable housing as put forth by Two Trees and Clipper Equities (77 Commercials Street) is little more than smoke and mirrors— among many other things— please do give this tome a read. It is time well spent.

From The New York Shitty Inbox: Mark Your Calendars

October 3, 2013 ·
Filed under: 11222, Gentrification, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic 

Wed Oct 9 Public Hearing

Agenda: Uniform Land Use Review Procedure public hearing regarding proposed, large-scale developments for Greenpoint

Date & Time: Wednesday 10/09/2013, 10:00am

Place: Spector Hall, 22 Reade Street, subway 4, 5, 6, N, R, A, C, 1, 2, 3

Participate: Arrive early, sign up to speak for 3 mins. If you are unable to speak, please submit a written statement (Department of City Planning website form)

Email Concerns: aburden@planning.nyc.gov

Cc Concerns: savegreenpoint@gmail.com

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!! It’s not too late! Please sign our petition & join our mailing list for updates, at www.savegreenpoint.org

  • NYS Flickr Pool

    christmas tree oddly placedDissociationMalevolent and asking for donations20241031_095113Hudson Yards  EDGELooking east-Northern view.
  • Ads