Excerpts from REBECCA MEAD’s “MR. BROOKLYN,” a profile of Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz (”the man, the plan, the arena”) that appears in the Apr. 25 issue of the New Yorker and online here.

“…In the car, Markowitz’s cell phone rang, and the voice of a female assistant announced that ‘Bruce’ was on the line.”

“‘Yes, sir, how are you doing, Bruce?’ Markowitz said, picking up the handset and falling silent as he listened. Bruce Ratner, it appeared … had some urgent questions about the way discussions concerning waterfront development in Williamsburg and Greenpoint might affect his own project. Markowitz, whenever he could get a word in, tried to be both conciliatory and upbeat. ‘I understand,’ he said …”

“Across the street, a small huddle of Boerum Hill residents handed Markowitz a sheaf of plans showing an arrangement of planters and greenery they would like to see in front of the restored subway kiosk. Perhaps, a resident suggested, Forest City Ratner might be persuaded to contribute the funds.’Does Ratner want to prove he cares?’ someone asked. ‘I haven’t asked him,’ Markowitz replied testily …”

“…The car looped west and turned up Pacific Street, into the footprint of the proposed arena. ‘Just take a look at what’s coming down,’ Markowitz said. ‘I want you to look at this and tell me in any manner, shape, or form that this has historical significance.’ On the block where we were, there were a few warehouses and row houses looking shabby and forlorn … ‘You can see this is gorgeous—just a beautiful, beautiful sight,’ Markowitz said, with undisguised sarcasm.”

“…Markowitz said, ‘When you take a look and you close your eyes you can envision beautiful housing, and retail, and some commercial space, and an arena, and activity, and people here, and people excited about living here. . . . ‘ He trailed off into urban reverie. … ‘The developers, unlike me, are not in the business of being public servants or social workers or do-gooders,’ he said. ‘I hate to say it, but they are businesspeople, and they should be businesspeople.’”

Read more…

A bit out of date, but here’s some coverage of that New York City Transit Riders Council forum earlier this month.

From OTBKB:“… my husband attended … The council was created by the New York State Legislature in 1981 to represent the official voice of New York City bus and subway riders … ”

“… my husband put his name on a list to speak about this issue. He never got a chance … (he) listened to long speeches on a variety of topics: opposition to fare increases, questions about getting rid of subway conductors, concerns about token booth attendants out in the station. There was a wacky proposal to change the name of subway lines, and a complaint that short people can’t reach the standing handrails.”

Read more…

This is a panoramic night shot of the construction pit at 647-649 Washington Ave.(click to enlarge) where a “rag assorting” facility once stood.

It is my homage to Cornershots.com, which documents the travels of Jimmie, a Brooklynite and photo urbanologist, and his quest for the perfect image of cities after dark (though he does more than night shots, of course).

Somehow my pit panorama got lost in the queue, so the picture is a bit dated. What’s the latest behind that fence?

As previously reported here, this is likely to become a 7 story, 70-foot-high building, with 8 apartments and 12,200 total square feet.

Link: 647-649 Washington Ave.: from Rag Assortery to Object of Condo Lust [DAILY HEIGHTS]

Guess what you can win if you come to the first-ever DAILY HEIGHTS Real-Life Happy Hour/Raffle next Thursday, April 28, from 6 p.m. ’til whenever at Soda Bar (629 Vanderbilt Ave.; 718-230-8393)?

Shawn and Marilyn, operators of The Islands restaurant, have made an astoundingly generous offer of Dinner for Four (”reservations recommended”) to one lucky raffle participant. Location: 803 Washington Ave (Eastern Parkway and Lincoln). Phone: (718) 398-3575.

BONUS! Jon Friedman, producer of The Rejection Show (and host/director of the Mermaid Ball 2005) is donating two t-shirts from www.elamenotees.com (pronounced “LMNO Tees”).

If that’s not enough, Isa Chandra, co-host of The Post Punk Kitchen, America’s only anarcho-vegan cooking show, is donating a DVD.

And of course, as noted in last week’s happy hour/raffle announcement, you can also win a hand-embroidered “ProHo Ho” (or “ProHo” Male Edition) t-shirt courtesy of RedLipstick Boutique.

If Emeril were here, he would say, “BAM.”

Photo: Simposio Cafe Bar, Cyprus. [gilest.org]

Is it a bar? A restaurant? DANA BOWEN writes in the New York Times: “… It sounded like a bar and looked like one, too. A blackboard advertised happy-hour specials. A relic of a video game - remember Tapper? - attracted a boozy crowd.”

“And the always interesting desserts ($6) - bergamot-spiked pot au crème, savory pistachio ice cream with caramelized bananas - nothing beastly about them at all.”

LINKS:
Going Chomp in the Night [New York Times]
Anyone got the skinny on Beast Bar? [Jose in DAILY HEIGHTS forums]
Finally tried Beast… [emiloo in the Chowhound Outer Boroughs Board]