Author Archives: dailyheights

Every Time I Hear That Phrase "Eminent Domain" It Reminds Me of That Song by The Who

eminent.jpgRobert Puca of Develop Don’t Destroy and Community Board 8 writes to DAILY HEIGHTS: “I went to the rally yesterday. There were at least 500 people. It was inspiring to see so many people from all over Brooklyn coming together to fight Ratner. We started out marching from Borough Hall over the Brooklyn Bridge to City Hall. Councilwoman Tish James led the charge with her trusty bullhorn in hand, cheering the cars on the Bridge to honk their horns in support of us. The story can be read at www.nolandgrab.org and pictures can be seen in this gallery.

“The rally wasn’t exclusively about Brooklyn overdevelopment. There were speakers from the Bronx, where Mayor Bloomberg is trying to level The Terminal Market and displace merchants to give it to Deputy Mayor Dan Doctoroff’s buddy Stephen Ross of Related co. Other speakers, including Norman Siegel who’s running for Public Advocate, spoke about Harlem, where Columbia Univ. is trying use Eminent Domain to expand their campus.”

Swinging Both Ways: Permitted?

Bbqvegetarian_2Charles Star offers for our consideration: “Gothamist recently asked Carrie about her favorite Brooklyn curiosities. This restaurant / grocery on the corner of Park and Carlton in Prospect Heights is one of mine.”

“I may not be up on the latest lingo, but doesn’t Sam have to make a choice? Maybe it will change when Sam’s BB-Q & Vegetarian is replaced by the store that is ‘Coming Soon.'”

LINK:Charles Star on Stay Free! Blog

[Curbed] Hoodwinked Finalist #4: FLATenD

2005_06_flatend.gifCandicissima writes: “Today on Curbed.com, a funny entry in the Hoodwinked contest that definitely relates to Daily Heights:”

“Name: FLATenD
Submitted By: ‘asdasd werett’
Boundaries: Starting at the the intersection of Flatbush and Atlantic, ending at Dean.
Description: Site of Ratner’s arena. Populated by scrappy contrarians and stubborn hotties who believe that developers can go to hell. Where they can block all the light in hell. Block all the light from the flickering flames of hell.”

LINK: Curbed.com

Parking Becomes Even More Impossible in Prospect Heights

new parking spot-tn.jpg
From the
I-Thought-You-Couldn’t-Do-This-Anymore dept.:

Observe the freshly poured concrete, sloping gently downward toward the curb, its edge decisively painted a bold and forbidding yellow.

Observe the brand new black metal gate with its prominent NO PARKING sign.

This can mean only one thing: You can count on spending an extra 1.89 minutes cruising for a parking spot next time you’re foolish enough bring your non-garaged vehicle back to Prospect Heights after 6 pm.

Dalia from Newswalk: "We're Betting on Gehry to Keep Things Civilised"

27_01newswalk-brooklyn papers.jpgNewswalk resident Dalia Fahmy wrote Saturday in the Financial Times:

“… Since buying an apartment with my husband in Prospect Heights a few months ago, my only regret is that we didn’t move here sooner … Across the street from our building, architect Frank Gehry is designing a stadium…”

“…recently, gentrification has reached frightening heights, pushing property values up almost 50% in the past three years … Entire communities of lower-income minorities have been displaced, and long-time residents are increasingly resentful … Many sport trendy 1970s-style T-shirts that read ‘Develop, Don’t Destroy Brooklyn.'”

“… I can’t help but enjoy the gentrification. My husband and I briefly considered Dumbo before settling into the more accessible Prospect Heights, in a converted condo loft in [Newswalk]. Our new neighbourhood was (and still is) more affordable than others in Brooklyn because some buyers are scared off by the pending [Atlantic Yards project]. Residents of the one-family brownstones nearby worry about the congestion and sports bars the development will bring, and African-American homeowners on my street have draped posters in their windows in protest.”

“But my husband and I are betting on Gehry to keep things civilised. We still have access to coffee shops with internet access and customised lattes … a bigger and better choice of restaurants than [in the] Upper West Side, and buying gifts for friends is easy in one of Prospect Heights’ many artsy boutiques.”

LINK:
Brooklyn bridges the property gap [Financial Times]
PHOTO: [Greg Mango for The Brooklyn Papers]

Underhill Playground: No Reno Till September

Underhill_playground_sign_1DELAYED AGAIN: Renovations of the Underhill Ave. playground between Park Place and Prospect Place. Last we heard, they were going to shut the gates at the end of May.

WHY: Tish James via the Prospect Heights Parents list: “I spoke to the Bklyn Commissioner of Parks who informed me of the following; The project has been delayed because Parks Dept. cannot transplant trees during the summer. However, A contractor has been selected, funds are in place and the start date is September. They promised me that the start date was real and will advise if there are any changes.”

THE GOOD NEWS: Kids have all summer to play!

At This Point, Bruce Ratner Can Pretty Much Do Whatever He Wants, So He Might As Well Build a 62-Story Hotel at Atlantic and Flatbush

Jess Wisloski writes in the Brooklyn Papers: “Atlantic Yards is stretching out — and into Park Slope … at a City Council hearing last Thursday … Forest City Ratner said the developer was considering plans to greatly increase the amount of housing on the site, both by scaling back the amount of office and retail space and by expanding the site westward — jumping over Flatbush Avenue to include plots now occupied by Modell’s and PC Richard & Son.”

“The presentation … indicated that the developer might increase the number of housing units from 4,500 to … possibly 7,300, and include a 187,000-square-foot hotel in a 620-foot tower at the intersection of Atlantic and Flatbush…”

Read more…

URGENT: Glamour Seeks Funny Guys with Body Insecurities

jo-jo the dog-faced boy.jpgLuz Redfrofu writes: “I’ve picked up this little gig with Glamour magazine where I help them dig up people to interview for various stories. Today their editors are looking for funny, quick-witted men in their 20s or 30s who are somewhat insecure about their body and are willing to discuss it. Only caveat: they can’t be writers, lawyers or actors.”

“Can you help? Are you willing to wax witty about your gut or hairy back? Or do you know someone who is? And haste would be most appreciated; they want me to round up four good guys by Monday.”

Send your leads to [email protected].

IMAGE: Jo-Jo the Dog-Faced Boy [StrangeCosmos.com]