The Coignet Stone Company Building On Whole Foods Site Finally Getting Some Love

It would appear that the small land-marked building on the Whole Foods site at 360 Third Avenue at the corner of Third Street is finally getting some much needed love. A permit for roof repair has been issued by the NYC Buildings Department and late last week, workers were observed at the site. That is encouraging news. Lets hope that it is just the beginning towards restoring and saving this neighborhood gem.

For quite a few years now, the historic structure has been deteriorating, its beautiful ornate façade slowly crumbling away. Its owner, Richard Kowalski, of Beach Haven, N.J, had signed a Memorandum of Lease with Whole Foods back in 2005, when the company purchased the land surrounding the building in order to construct one of their food markets. Under the lease agreement, Whole Foods was to restore and repair the old house. The work, however, has been postponed till now.

The 1873 building was designed by William Fields & Son and housed the New York and Long Island Coignet Stone Company, which occupied five acres along the Gowanus Canal. In more recent history, it was home to the Pippin Radiator Company.

The Coignet Stone Company building was landmarked in 2006 by the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission. You can read more about its history here.

Historic photo of the Coignet Stone Company Building

*Thanks to readers Joe and Marion for making me aware of this.

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News Of Carroll Park Piazza Greatly Exaggerated

Contrary to what was reported by the Brooklyn Paper, Carroll Gardens resident and National Public Radio's Studio 360 host Kurt Anderson is not envisioning a permanent
change or displacement of the ball courts in Carroll Park. Instead, he would like to bring even more vitality to our neighborhood oasis by helping to organize a few summer events that will allow everyone in the community to come together for a few themed evenings during the summer.

In order to make that happen, he has reached out to Councilman Brad Lander who set up a meeting with the Friends of Carroll Park, a long standing park volunteer organization, to discuss the idea.

The meeting was attended by Mr. Anderson and his wife Anne Kreamer, Councilman Lander and four officers of the Friends group. (For full disclosure, as the co-secretary of the group, I was in attendance.)

After the meeting, the Friends of Carroll Park issued this statement:

"On Thursday, February 10th, at the request of Councilman Brad Lander, several officers of the Friends of Carroll Park/Committee to Improve Carroll Park, met with long time Carroll Gardens residents Kurt Andersen and Anne Kreamer so that they could present an idea to contribute to the vitality of Carroll Park. They had been inspired by a wonderful piazza they enjoyed during their travels and hoped that some elements might be introduced here. Since our park is already a piazza , we discussed ideas which might enhance the "piazza" atmosphere of the park. Everyone felt that the idea was worthy of consideration, as long as it did not interfere with the existing park uses.

At this point, we are exploring the idea of "Friday Evenings in Carroll Park" around the monument, perhaps with some cafe tables and chairs, a food or drink vendor, lights, and some entertainment. The committee has organized such activities many times in the twenty years we have volunteered at Carroll Park. We want to assure the community that no plans have been made and that discussions will continue with community notification and input. As a result of this discussion, we contacted the Parks department regarding the rumor we had heard about a food vendor awarded a contract to serve Carroll Park. We have confirmed that a contract had been signed several months ago and we may see a food cart in or around Carroll Park in the near future. The committee had nothing to do with this, we just wanted to know if it was true as it should be considered in our discussion. We will want to be sure that a vendor will only add to and not detract from our wonderful park.

We have always welcomed ideas from many sources and will continue to do so. Please join us for our monthly meetings which begin again in March - The first Thursday of each month in the park house at 7:30. The more ideas and help we have, the better Carroll Park becomes for all of us. You can also contact us at: friendsofcarrollpark@yahoo.com"

Calexico Comes To Carroll Park

The Friends Of Carroll Park have confirmed with the Park's Department that Calexico has been awarded a five year contract for food services at Carroll Park.

The three Vendley Brothers behind Calexico, who operate a restaurant at 122 Union Street as well as in Greenpoint, already hold a concession contract for Brooklyn Bridge Park. They also operate a food truck in Soho.

I am not sure how I feel about that myself. The decision was made independently of the community by the Parks Department, but we certainly should be involved in making sure that the food cart does not interfere in everyone's fun in Carroll Park.

photo credit: Complex City Guide

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Valentine's Day At Brooklyn Farmacy: Free Portrait Sitting With Your Sweetie

photo credit:Brooklyn Farmacy

*****REMINDER******

This Valentine's Day, show your romantic side by taking your significant other to Brooklyn Farmacy at 513 Henry Street, where you can satisfy your sweet tooth AND create a lasting memory by having your portrait taken by professional photographer Kate Burton of Burton Wells Photographers. Read on:

Hey Farmacy Fans,

Bring your sweetie to the soda fountain on Valentine's Day

for a Free Portrait Sitting

and a Valentine’s Day to Remember...

That's right, this Valentine's Day, roll on down to the soda fountain with your favorite sweetie(s), grab a seatie, buy a treatie and join in on the fun of a sitting for a professional portrait with Kate Burton of Burton Wells Photographers! Your portraits will take about five minutes, and within just a few short weeks, your photograph will be available online. a sample of prices: $10. for a 4x6 print. (not bad ‘tall.) We'll be open all day on this special Monday, so stop on in and enjoy!

for more, go to Brooklyn Farmacy's webpage.

Besides hosting this great event, you can drop by the Farmacy to leave a message of love to your Valentine in their special big red mailbox. Your declaration of love will be hung in their window.

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LICH Saved! Merger With Downstate Secure

Faculty & students of medical school of the Long Island College Hospital,

on porch of original Perry Mansion, circa 1900

Photo Credit:NYPL Digital Gallery

What a relief. Just go word that the merger between Long Island College Hospital and SUNY Downstate Medical Center has been secured thanks to the quick work of our local elected. The merger, which will save LICH was put into doubt last week when it was reported in the NY Times, that Governor Cuomo's administration was delaying the $22 million dollars in state grants to help finance the merger.

It now seems that the merger will go forward after all.

Below is a statement that was just released by State Senator Velmanette Montgomery:

LICH/SUNY DOWNSTATE MERGER SECURE

Last evening in a meeting with Governor Cuomo's staff at his NYC offices, assurances were made that the HEAL grants central to the merger of Long Island College Hospital and SUNY Downstate Hospital will be granted and the merger will move forward!

This past week's alarming announcement that the merger was endangered resulted from a sweeping statement that all grants made by the previous administration were suspended until they could be reviewed. During the meeting last evening, all the local Brooklyn elected officials (NYS Senator Velmanette Montgomery, Congresswoman Nydia Velasquez, Assemblywoman Joan Millman, Brooklyn Boro President Markowitz, NYS Senator Daniel Squadron, NYC Councilman Brad Lander, and NYC Councilman Steve Levin) explained that a delay in the HEAL grants would have doomed the merger and very likely would have resulted in the closure of LICH. They explained the dangerous gaping hole in medical treatment this would have left in many communities, as well as the repercussions it would cause in other medical care dependent on the sponsorship of local me

dical facilities like LICH, such as school based health clinics.

The elected officials were assured failure of the merger was never the intended result of the review and that the HEAL grants would proceed in a timely fashion in order to facilitate this important merger.

Senator Montgomery reported to her constituents,

"It gives me great pleasure to announce that all the hard work that went into the merger was not in vain and that our communities can look forward to a renewed and revitalized LICH!"

Related Reading:

Neighborhood To Lose LICH After All?

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Picture Of The Day: Airing Laundry

Laundry hanging on the line in 35 degree weather.

I love the optimism.....

DeGraw Street

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It Barely Opened, But Carroll Gardeners Already Have Love/Hate Relationship With *Diego* On Smith

Diego, the new Mexican restaurant that opened in the space occupied until recently by the Union Smith Café at 305 Smith Street, just opened this week. However, long before its doors opened, the eatery generated a bit of controversy when owner James Geritano who also owns Bagels By The Park, told Carroll Gardens Patch that the Executive Chef of Dos Caminos, currently one of New York City's hottest Mexican restaurants, was involved in the new venture.

Eater.com doubted that Stark had such an involvement in the new place, and wrote that her association "has been exaggerated" and that she merely suggested a chef for Diego.

When the actual menu was revealed, many were disappointed and commented on the prices.

($5 for a side of refried beans does seem a bit steep for Smith Street.)

So how is the neighborhood reacting to Diego? Reader Sandra tried it out. She writes:

Diego is now open. We ate there last night and the food was delicious. The guacomole is prepared right at your table and the waiter asks you how much of each ingredient to put in. Very unique and fun. The choc cake was out of this world with the center nice and runny. Diego is def a must to try and go back again and again.

However, this anonymous commenter didn't quite buy Sandra's glowing review.

I think "Sandra" is a shill.

I saw the non Mexican owners quibbling over the old Cafe sign while piles of fake mexican stuff was being delivered. How can they OPEN with piles and piles of trash piled on the side? Two busted tree pots in front and a covered barbeque? FYI AGAINST THE LAW to burn/ grill use fire in front yards. If they try and use it I will report them. I loive a fw houses away from this dirty filthy place. I smell the greasy smelly trash in Summer and have to walk by strangers eating on a dirty corner with trash cans piled high. I will never go here.

Where do you stand? Have you tried Diego yet? How was it?

Related reading:

'Stark' Worthy? Check Out Menu Of Soon-To-Open Smith Street Eatery *Diego*

Before Smith Street Was Restaurant Row: Part 2

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Picture Of The Day: Window Box Gnome

Window box gnome

waiting for spring on Carroll Street

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