A worker enveloped in a cloud of dust.
Green Building On Union Street near Gowanus Canal.
Friday, May 31, 2013
CARROLL PARK COMMUNITY FAIR IS TOMORROW: SATURDAY, JUNE 1!
It'll be a scorcher, but we'll have a nice breeze to keep us company during this year's Carroll Park Fair tomorrow from 10am to 5pm!
Come by to meet neighbors and elected officials while browsing for housewares, clothes, books, music, antiques, jewelry, furniture, tchotchkes, and everything else under the sun.
A few 10' x 10' spaces are still available - rent one for $35 by emailingcarrollparkfair@gmail.com!
Come by to meet neighbors and elected officials while browsing for housewares, clothes, books, music, antiques, jewelry, furniture, tchotchkes, and everything else under the sun.
A few 10' x 10' spaces are still available - rent one for $35 by emailingcarrollparkfair@gmail.com!
This yearly event is organized by the Friends of Carroll Park. Hope to see all of you there.
Thursday, May 30, 2013
In 2009, the father passed away, but the son carried on. When the store closed this spring, it was rumored that the business was only closed to the public but would continue supplying neighborhood eateries. That does not seem to be the case.
In the last month, the inside of the space has been completely gutted and a public notice has been taped to the gate, indicating that Jim and Andy, Inc. is applying for a full liquor license for this location.
(The applicant is going to appear in front of Community Board 6 on June 3rd.)
No word yet if the son is behind this new venture or if a new owner just kept the name to pay homage. Hopefully that means that the old sign will stay.
Does anyone have more info?
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
An old Brooklyn postcard.
Carroll Gardener and friend David Castillo of Blue Barn Pictures sent me this beautiful little movie he filmed in the neighborhood this past week-end. He writes:
"Yesterday I was at a bbq on President st and looked up to see clothes lines. I remember when i was little watching my mother hang clothes on the line and the squeak the wheel would make as she pushed the line out. Such an old school New York thing that has almost completely disappeared. I am glad Carroll Gardeners are still using clothes line."
I am glad as well, David. And so glad you shared this movie. Thanks.
image via Save Gowanus
Please take the time to attend to hear an update on legal issues, fundraising, and getting support from local politicians.
Tuesday, June 4th @ 7 PM
Mary Star of the Sea
41 1st St. (bet. Hoyt and Bond)
And if you can, stop by to meet and talk to members of Save Gowanus at the Carroll Park Fair, Sun. June 2nd 11-6.
Please also take time to tell NYS Department Of Environmental Conservation to safeguard our community from impacts of Lightstone’s Brownfield Cleanup by emailing your comment regarding Lightstone's application before June 1st.
You can do so by sending the following letter prepared by Save Gowanus.
(Click here to send it directly from their web site.)
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC)
Brownfield Cleanup Program (BCP)
John Grathwol, NYS DEC- Division of Environmental Remediation,
Remedial Bureau B,
625 Broadway,
12th Floor,
Albany, NY 12233-7016
Response to Brownfield Cleanup Program (BCP) application and Remedial Investigation Work Plan (RIWP) from LSG 400 Carroll Street LLC and LSG 363 Bond Street LLC for a site known as 400 Carroll Street and 363 Bond Street, site ID #C224173. This site is located in the City of Brooklyn, within the County of Kings, and is located at 400 Carroll Street and 363 Bond Street 11231
Redevelopment and Brownfield Cleanup Programs must take place in the context of our post-Sandy, climate change world. In Dec 2010 NYS issued the Sea Level Rise Task Force Report to the Legislature. The task force also recommends that city, county and state governments seriously consider abandoning whole areas of the coast altogether, to allow vegetation to gradually migrate away from the shoreline and give nature a chance to build more natural barriers to rising seas, hurricanes and severe storms known to hit the Northeast frequently. The report offered no other real solutions to this growing problem.
We are deeply concerned that the State of New York may be financially supporting and encouraging new large-scale residential development in flood-prone coastal districts which will also be subjected to the rising level of the sea. We are particularly concerned that such new large scale developments, while being designed in a manner to protect the new structures from flooding, will result in negative impact to flooding conditions in existing surrounding neighborhoods. We also are concerned about the prospects of adding large numbers of new residential buildings in flood districts that would require evacuation during storm conditions, even though the new structure may have sufficient freeboard to prevent flood damage to the building.
We believe that the State of NY should not extend state funding, in any form, to brownfield redevelopment sites in coastal areas that carry risks of of creating additional flood harm in the adjacent upland communities by altering region-wide coastal flooding and stormwater drainage patterns. We ask that any such property brought into the NYS Brownfield Cleanup Program that is in a coastal area, be required to provide an objective and thorough region-wide hydrological impact study that describes how the area drainage would change given the proposed development.
We also ask that any brownfield remedy carried out in such an area be assessed and evaluated for its effectiveness under storm and flooding conditions. We ask that a detailed explanation be given on how the remedy and the proposed redevelopment construction will function as sea level base lines rise over the coming decades and century. The citizens should know if the re-investment of their tax dollars are being put to a good or frivolous use.
Stay connected to Save Gowanus via their website or via their Facebook page.
The Red Hook Jazz Festival, a fun, family-friendly outdoor event held every summer at the Urban Meadow, is back for a sixth year with two Sundays in June. The Festival is sponsored by the Brooklyn Arts Council, The House Of Pizza & Calzone and help from the volunteers of the Urban Meadow Community Garden. The event costs $10 for adults. It's free or kids.
Mark your calendars. Here are all the details:
Big Bang Productions presents the 6th annual RED HOOK JAZZ FESTIVAL 2013 on two consecutive Sundays, June 9 and June 16 in the Urban Meadow, a community garden on the Columbia Waterfront District.
Celebrating its sixth installment this year's Red Hook Jazz Festival line-up features some of the world's most forward-thinking jazz musicians and composers playing today, with a focus on female artists and drummers, featuring the vocalist Fay Victor, the pianist Kris Davis, and saxophonist Ingrid Laubrock and Allison Miller (in both categories), Clarence Penn, Mike Pride, Mark Feber, Ted Poor, and Tom Rainey.Highlights of horn players are: Seamus Blake, Ralph Alessi, Tony Malaby Jon Irabagon, Loren Stillman, and Adam Kolker. Other well players include bassists Ben Street, Chris Lightcap, Drew Gress and Ken Filiano guitarist Adam Rogers, Nate Radley and Paul Kogut, piano players Gary Versace and James Carney and many other incredible musicians.
The Red Hook Jazz Festival prides itself on being a homegrown jazz festival featuring an amazing line-up of mostly local talent. Where other festivals rely on corporate sponsorships and donations, the RHJF is an all-volunteer event proud to support a wide variety of superb figures in New York City and Brooklyn jazz, both young and old. The RHJF has truly developed a tradition of presenting great music with a laid back vibe, an outdoor setting, and a strong family-friendly focus, while striving to develop the next generation of jazz audiences.
Last year, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz gave the RHJF a proclamation, and this year the RHJF is proud to announce a grant award from the Brooklyn Arts Council (BAC).
The Urban Meadow is located at the corner of President & Van Brunt Streets in Brooklyn, NY. This year's RHJF is sponsored by the Brooklyn Arts Council, the House of Pizza & Calzone, and the Urban Meadow.
Both days start at 1pm and end at 6pm. Entrance is $10 per adult/ kids attend free. Details, event schedule and directions follow below.For up to date announcements on the RHJF, visit: http://www.facebook.com/RedHookJazzFestival and the Urban Meadow's website: http://urbanmeadowbrooklyn.blogspot.com/p/directions-to-urban-meadow.html.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
The blooms of a Chinese Empress tree trailing in the murky waters of the Gowanus Canal.
To read more about this unusual tree, click here.
Construction site at 467 Union Street between Hoyt and Bond Streets
Second Stop Work Order issued to 467 Union Street on May 14th, 2013
Neighboring building at number 465 Union Street
Repaired damage to Number 465 Union Street
More misery for the neighbors of a construction site on Union Street between Hoyt and Bond Street. For the second time since work began at 467 Union Street, a full Stop Work Order has been issued by the NYC Department Of Buildings.
Back in September 2012, excavation work for a new building at this address caused severe structural cracks to the neighboring building at 465 Union Street. In response, NYC Department Of Buildings imposed the first Stop Work Order for number 467. The agency also issued a Vacate Order to number 465.
Over the last few months, the cracks to the façade at number 465 have been repaired, the Vacate Order lifted and construction resumed next door. However, more trouble lay ahead for the home owner. Just this month, DOB imposed a second Full Stop Work Order to #467 Union Street after a 311 complaint stating that the construction had "changed the water course, blocking the natural water drainage under the foundation, creating flooding of neighboring properties at #463 and 465."
Once featured as a House Of The Day on Brownstoner, the original building at 467 Union Street was marketed by Corcoran as a teardown. After some time on the market, it was eventually sold for $377,000 in March 2012 to Jill and John Bouratoglou, the husband and wife team behind Bouratoglou Architect, PC. Shortly afterwards, permits were filed with NYC Department Of Buildings for a four-story, one family house.
Granted, water drainage and flooding are an ongoing problem for residents along Gowanus, but one can't help but feel sorry for the neighbors of this construction site. They certainly have had to deal with their fair share of trouble.
Joan D'Amico welcomes everyone
Father Astor Rodriguez
Patrick Watson sings the national anthem
Assemblywoman Joan Millman with several veterans
Assemblywoman Millman address those in attendance. "This Holiday is not about sales. It's about people who sacrificed their lives."
Bruce McDonald of Friends Of Carroll Park
After a blessing by Father Astor Rodriguez and a beautifully sung rendition of the national anthem by Patrick Watson, a wreath was laid in front of the war memorial by veterans from the neighborhood.
Several firefighters of Ladder 131 were also in attendance. After the ceremony, they placed flowers at the memorial for Lou Valentino on Court Street at President Street. Lou was a fire fighter who grew up in Carroll Gardens. He lost his life in a blaze in 1996.
The event is organized by Court Street Merchants Association with the help of Friends Of Carroll Park.
Friday, May 24, 2013
Thursday, May 23, 2013
A year after the once popular French bistro called it quits in late 2011, it appeared that a brick oven pizza joint would take its place at 195 Smith Street.
In September 2012, the NYC Department Of Buildings approved a permit for a horizontal enlargement at rear to change the three-story, two family building with commercial space to a "four family with commercial space."
Shortly afterwards, a crew began excavating the backyard. Day after day, workers dumped wheel barrel after wheel barrel of dirt into a dumpster. By November, the NYC Department of Buildings Emergency response team issued a violation for work without a permit. Apparently, the proper permits for structural and underpinning work had not yet been obtained.
Several other violations that were issued in early 2013 were dismissed.
Excavation of back yard in late 2012
Work continued all throughout the spring, but rather than to enlarge the building in the rear, it would appear that the roof, rear and side wall of the building have been slowly dismantled.
Rather than working on the extension, it looks as though everything but the front façade are still intact. It all looks rather precarious.
The construction (or rather de-construction) has stopped of late. Several 311 calls seem to have been made to express concern about the structural stability of the building and to report that the gutting had damaged the side wall of number 193 Smith Street. but so far, DOB does not seem concerned and has dismissed the complaints.
Not sure about you, but for the time being, I'll walk on the opposite side of the street.
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