Gowanus Canal Superfund: EPA Releases List Of 'Notice of Potential Liability' Recipients

photo credit: Brooklyn Public Library The Environmental Protection Agency has just released a document revealing the names of companies  that have been sent  notices of potential liability and information request letters as of January 2012.   In addition to the twenty-eight companies that have received such a notice,  New York City, the US Navy, the US Postal Service, the US General Services Administration have also gotten...

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Historic District Council And Preservationists Continue Push Against Shrinking Coignet Building Site In Gowanus

’Historic District Council (HDC), the Citywide Advocate for New York's Historic Neighborhoods, is currently circulating a petition to be sent to the NYC Council's Landmarks Subcommittee in regards to the landmark Coignet Building on the intersection of Third Street and Third Avenue in Gowanus.HDC is asking the Landmark's Subcommittee to not grant Whole Foods Market, the owner, a special dispensation from the New York City Landmarks Law that...

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340 Court Street Construction Project: A Community Update From Alchemy

Construction of the 7 story, 32 unit condominium building at 340 Court Street has been progressing swiftly in the last few months. The steel frame has been completed and a new phase of construction is about to begin.  In addition, excavation of the town homes on Sackett Street will commence soon.Below is a community update on the 340 Court Street construction site from Joel Breitkopf of development firm Alchemy Properties Inc.  ...

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Picture Of The Day: Looking Downhill

One of my favorite blocks in the neighborhood:2nd Street, looking towards Bond.What's your favori...

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An Unusual Back Yard Visitor In Carroll Gardens

My friend Joe was a bit startled to find a this large bird of prey in his Carroll Gardens backyard over the week-end.  The raptor was perched on an old clothesline pole, snacking on a bloody carcass.Joe thinks it was a Peregrine Falcon.  To me it looks more like a hawk.  Any experts out there who can identify it?**Reader and friend Phyllis was kind enough to forward the photos to bird expert Bob Candido, who replied:Cooper's Hawk...

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Best Selling Author Patrick Taylor To Come To Carroll Gardens Public Library In Exclusive Appearance

Bestselling author Patrick Taylor, best known for his “Irish Country” series, will visit  the Carroll Gardens branch of the Brooklyn Public Library, 396 Clinton Street, on Wednesday, February 29 at 7 p.m. for an exclusive appearance to discuss and sign his novels. The event is hosted by Friends Of The Carroll Gardens Library. The group writes: “We are so excited that Patrick Taylor will be visiting not only the library, but Brooklyn...

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Tonight, General Meeting Of EPA's Gowanus Canal CAG

The EPA's Gowanus Canal Community Advisory Group is holding its general meeting tonight.  If you missed EPA's presentation on the Feasibility Study last week,  this is is your opportunity to hear  Christos Tsiamis, the project manager for the Canal, explain the different clean-up options for the polluted waterway. EPA Gowanus Canal CAG MeetingMonday, January 30at Borough Hall from 6 pm – 9 pm Agenda includes:· Discussion...

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Battle For Brooklyn: Free Screening At Issue Project Room In Gowanus

If you have not yet seen "Battle for Brooklyn" by husband-and-wife-team Suki Hawley and Michael Galinsky, here is your chance. Gowanus Institute, Rooftop Films and Issue Project Room present:Battle for Brooklynthe Oscar shortlisted and critically acclaimed documentary film about the Atlantic Yards projectTuesday 31 January 2012 Doors open 7:00, Screening 7:30 Free admission. Run time 93 min. Panel discussion and Q &A...

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A Moment In Time: Hurrying Home

Hurrying home before d...

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'Burger On Smith' Opens In Former Faan Space On Smith Street

Burger on Smith at 209 Smith Street just opened its doors a few days ago in the space once occupied by Faan, one of the first Asian-Fusion eateries on Restaurant Row. The menu features a selection of  burgers, wings, fries and shakes, but as Kyle Huebbe and Blessing Schuman-Strange, the culinary team behind this new farm-to-table eatery, will point out the food is "New American, but elevated."  The burgers are made from grass-fed beef,...

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P.J. Hanley's Sanitation Inspection Grade Not Quite So Pending

One of my readers recently pointed out to me that P.J. Hanley's at 449 Court Street at the corner of 4th Street, has been displaying a sign in its window indicating that its Sanitation Inspection Grade from the New York City Department Of Health was 'pending'.  The sign, according to the reader has been there for quite some time, although the Health Department has issued the bar/restaurant a C grade in August 2011, when Hanley's earned...

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Bococa's Café on Court Street Bids Farewell

"Bococa's lease has finished" reads the simple announcement on the door of this small café at 195 Court Street.  Its doors had been closed for the last few weeks, but the handwritten note only appeared a couple of days ago. The large "Store For Lease" sign from Cpex, on the other hand, has hung above the storefront for a while now.As I peeked into the place, a man sitting on the bench in front of the defunct café said: "The landlord wouldn't...

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A Moment In Time: Exchanging Notes

This afternoon in front of the 2nd Place Subway entrance.Four police officers exchanging not...

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EPA Region 2 Presents Gowanus Canal Feasibility Study To Community

Walter Mugdan, EPA Region 2's, Director of the Division of Environmental Planning and ProtectionChristos Tsiamis, EPA Region 2 project manager for the Gowanus CanalPatty White, geologist for CH2MHillNatalie Loney ,EPA Region 2 Community Involvement CoordinatorBrian Carr, EPA Region 2 lawyerThe Environmental Protection Agency's Region 2 team responsible for the Gowanus Canal Superfund clean-up hosted a public information meeting last...

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