Greenpoint
Lorven Pharmacy
Culture on the Cheap
BREAKING: 249 Norman Get’s DOB’d
As I write this post the Department of Buildings is vacating 249 Norman Avenue (a loft conversion located between Monitor and North Henry Street). The Red Cross has been brought in to assist residents with temporary shelter, etc. This is all I know at this time.
To be continued…?
P.S.: On a somewhat-related note (this being the Department of Buildings) it would appear the Manhattan District Attorney’s office along with the Department of Investigation and NYPD has announced arrests and criminal charges regarding the bribing of Department of Buildings and Housing Preservation And Development personnel. Not surprisingly, it would appear some of the properties involved are in Greenpoint, Williamsburg and Bushwick. See for yourself. Here’s a teaser:
…bribes in the form of approximately $200,000 for home mortgage payments, a Nissan Rogue SUV, a GMC Terrain SUV, and a Royal Caribbean cruise, as well as cash for airline tickets, home renovations, and other personal expenses…
Reading is truly believing, folks…
Canal Street Photos Du Jour: Brother, Can You Spare A Dime?
Filed under: 10013, Chinatown, Chinatown Manhattan, Culture War, Fuck This Shit, Wow
Because, as we all know, making light of the homeless situation on New York City (without actually being forced to witness it firsthand) is what tourists want to experience…
Reader Contribution Du Jour: Shots From Today’s Fire At Citistorage
An immensely talented and all-around nice guy, Stefano Giovannini, braved the cold and took some wonderful photos of our city’s Bravest fighting what is apparently now a seven alarm fire. Do take a moment to peruse his Flickr set here. They are not only lovely (if one can call such subject matter that) but are an excellent testement to the hard work and dedication of our firefighters.
Reader Contribution Du Jour: What Is This?
Filed under: 10002, BAD ASS, Lower East Side, Lower East Side Manhattan, Wow, WTF
This curiosity was found by a fellow Greenpoint resident we’ll call “S”. It presently resides under the Manhattan side of the Williamsburg(h) Bridge. About it she writes:
Double take: Giant flat black camper with window gates and fences chained on. The one of the door and window is worth a closer look…
Indeed it is.
Urban assault vehicle or Airbnb rental?
I am putting my money on both. Perhaps EVGrieve or Jeremiah can shed some light regarding this tenement on wheels? Anyone?
UPDATE: Someone was thoughtful enough to point out this looks like something from Escape From New York:
Great catch, John! The funny thing is this vehicle has New York state plates. However, I have spied and shot graffiti featuring Snake Plissken along the north Brooklyn waterfront. This one hails from Greenpoint.
And this one hails from the Brooklyn side of the Williamsburg Bridge:
Maybe they’re trying to escape from Brooklyn? Hmm…
New York Shitty Photo Du Jour: Season’s Greetings
Filed under: 11211, 11249, Stuff That Makes Miss Heather Happy, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn, Wow
These good tidings come courtesy of the Williamsburg waterfront circa 1989 and the inimitable Larry Auerbach.
Urban Artifact, Part II: Special Feels Like Fall Edition
Filed under: 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Urban Artifact, Wow, WTF
Today I had a craving for Mexican food. Well, not “Mexican” food per se. I craved crap. To this end I patronized the Taco Bell located on the Champs-Élysées of the Garden Spot: McGuinness Boulevard. Upon exiting with my bag of unhealthy goodness I noticed two perfectly placed pairs of coordinating footwear atop the garbage can. How they got there is anyone’s guess. I simply found how they coordinated with the building compelling and strangely beautiful.
After snapping this shot I opted to enjoy my burrito al fresco. I took a stroll along Provost Street. There outside the premises of the Newtown Creek Waste Water Treatment Facility— in the shadow of the Shit Tits— I happened upon another urban artifact. It too was compelling but most decidedly not beautiful.
It is rare, gentle readers, that I happen upon something that makes me lose my appetite. After closer examination of the item in question (and shooting burrito bits out of my nose) this is exactly what happened. The burrito was placed back in the bag and out came the camera.
I suppose I should take the glass half-full approach:
1. The parties responsible for the piece of love’s detritus which awaited my delectation engaged in safe sex.
2. Greenpoint— especially its more remote/secluded nooks and crannies— is and has long been for lovers.
WARNING/CAVEAT: once this is seen, it cannot be unseen. Click at your own risk.
From The New York Shitty Inbox, Part II: And Now A Word From NAG
Filed under: 11211, 11222, 11249, East Williamsburg, East Williamsburg Brooklyn, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn, Wow, WTF
New York Shitty Analysis: Apparently getting busted for operating an illegal waste handling station in Greenpoint and lying to the Business Integrity Commission does not preclude one from receiving honors from “Neighbors Allied For Good Growth” (formerly known as Neighbors Against Garbage”).
You can’t make this stuff up, folks…
Today In Greenpoint Real Estate Insanity: 533 Leonard Street
Filed under: 11224, Abjectecture, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Wow, WTF
The sale of 533 Leonard Street, the former meeting hall for Polish Legion of American Veterans is hardly news. Nor is the fact that it will be “adapted” to residential use as opposed to simply being razed. A rather nifty site called Brooklyn Relics has a pretty nice summary of these passing events which can be read by clicking here. The author of this tome opines:
The adaptive reuse of historic buildings is often necessary for the buildings to maintain market viability. However, in the case of the PLAV building, the proposed design dominates the historic structure it traverses even though the original facade is supposed to be the intended focal point. Hopefully the finished modern portion of the structure will be muted enough that it does not compete with the original building’s architecture…
I cannot tell a lie: I was initially relieved by the news this building would be modified as opposed to merely being demolished. Then it was brought to my attention by a very nice lady named Amber that a rendering has been posted on the premises of the finished product. I did a walk-by to see it myself— after all, seeing is truly believing. All I can say is the author of Brooklyn Relics was being quite charitable in his analysis.
Here’s the deal folks:
In terms of Greenpoint construction— any construction— I keep my expectations low. Really low. Methinks I need not elaborate why this is so. Let’s just say there’s ample “precedent”.
This exceeds even my expectations— and not in a good way. So help me, but this may very well make me rethink adaptation (versus demolition) as a good— or at least “better”— policy. Aside from exploiting the benefits a modification permit versus a new building affords (modification permits are not subject to the same level of scrutiny) and exploiting every cubic centimeter of FAR, I see absolutely no rhyme or reason to this “design”.
Yes sir: 200 Franklin Street’s days as the ugliest building in Greenpoint, which is no small accomplishment, may very well be numbered.
Mazel tov!
From The New York Shitty Inbox, Part II: Presenting BushSick
With the rapid development of Bushwick, wont be to long until it becomes BushSick
This item was brought to my attention by a person we’ll call “D”. A couple thoughts/observations:
- The grammar employed in this advertisement actually inflicted physical pain in yours truly.
- I have to wonder about the legality of what appears to be a basement apartment. Fire code, anyone?
From The New York Shitty Inbox: Perception Vs. Reality
Filed under: 11222, Criminal Activity, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Wow, WTF
A lady we’ll call “N” writes (regarding the screencap at left):
screenshot from googlenews. the pr and the reality of greenpoint! (these paths seem to be crossing a lot these days). and cheers to the tough guy owner of milk and roses…
You can read about what happened at Milk and Roses (and Acapulco Deli as well it would appear) here. Here’s an excerpt/teaser:
…Davis has been charged with assault, criminal possession of a weapon and harassment, according to the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office. He was released without bail and ordered to stay away from the cafe. (Emphasis mine — Ed. Note) His attorney did not respond to request for comment.
Wow. Just wow.
Update, September 5th: I have taken this up with Assemblyman Lentol’s office and they are working to find out exactly what happened and why the District Attorney’s office is handling this case the way they are. To be continued…?
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