Open Thread Wednesday 3/18/15

By on March 18, 2015 12:40 am in open thread

What’s on your mind? Comment away!

Photo via the “Nabeguy Collection”

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  • DoBro84

    I was able to go to Monday’s presentation and discussion about the Brooklyn Strand; lots of exciting ideas are out there.

    If you’re interested, the presentation is online at:

    http://assets.downtownbrooklyn.com/documents/Brooklyn-Strand-2015.pdf

  • Roberto Gautier

    Reports out of Paris today told of a “spike” in air pollution with levels a European classification system defined as “high.”
    This problem comes with changes in weather, emissions from agricultural activities and road traffic increases. Apparently, there is still considerable wood-burning in gai Paris. A few times a year, London’s air quality becomes extremely unhealthy due to Saharan dust. Last year, the American Lung Association’s annual report card on the “State of the Air” gave New York City an “F” grade. Brooklyn data will not be available in next month’s report card.

    Instead of waiting for our next “bad air” day, wouldn’t it be wise to reduce the numbers of vehicles on NYC roads? The biggest local problem comes from diesel emissions from trucks. Happily, pollution from city-owned vehicles has slightly reduced, but the caravans of privately-owned trucks represent the biggest problem.

    Finally, I recommend looking into a little-known project of the NYC Health Department and Queens College – the New York City Community Air Survey (NYCCAS). Its findings about air pollution’s role in causing grave cardiovascular damage and asthma are scary, to say the least.

  • Roberto Gautier

    Thank you for the helpful link.

  • Karl Junkersfeld

    Thank u DoBro. Very interesting presentation. I wish I attended.

  • Bongo

    Anyone know what’s going on at the Waterfront Ale House? I haven’t been by since the start of the year. Has it closed and reopened yet? Did any of the excellent staff keep their jobs?

  • StoptheChop

    Thanks! It looks beautiful. Did they discuss: 1) where is the funding coming from, and will it be diverted from funding that would otherwise be used for the “nondestination” (ie neighborhood) parks? 2) Is the intention to have more tourists and/or visitors to BBP use the Fruit Streets to get from CPW to the Promenade or Park?

  • DoBro84

    Finances

    I recall one speaker wanted the project financed by the public. At the end of the session Tucker Reed, from the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, said he did not know where the funding would come from.

  • DoBro84

    Fruit Street Crossings (Slide 45)

    I don’t recall this being discussed in any detail. You would have to ask the designers about this but it looks to me like the pedestrian safety lies behind the recommendation to improve the Cranberry crossing at Cadman Plaza West.

    Credit: Google Earth

  • DoBro84

    Fruit Street Crossings (Slide 45)
    Ditto for Cranberry Street crossing. It’s not very safe.
    Credit: Google Earth

  • Sen. Bob Forehead

    Looks like the new owner is gutting the space down to the studs.

  • Bongo

    Can’t say I’m surprised. “The check is in the mail”, “I love you”, and “Everyone gets to keep their job after the business is sold” are the new three lies.

  • Andrew Porter

    Looks like someone used a little too much photo editing on that image. How about this one instead?

  • Jorale-man

    Agreed. This one also reminds us of the park back in better days (with grass, little trash, few dead leaves). Maybe the proposed Strand will signal a turnaround for the park.

  • Willow Street Watch

    The air traffic over the Heights has surged in the last
    Week. Lots of fun being jarred by l-o-n-g stationary
    copters at 1 to 2 AM. Go call the 84 you get a Sargent
    Schlitz response…they know nothing…Talk to a wall
    with various elected officials…try asking why four to
    five rotary aircraft at really low level just have to be
    over the Heights starting at 6 AM…ask about the
    Dangers, you get a blank non response….”your”
    Govt at work….

  • Sen. Bob Forehead

    TThey took the bar!!!!

  • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlsiLOnWCoI Arch Stanton

    Agreed, the “I only watch PBS” line is getting to be irrelevant.

  • Roberto Gautier

    The image of “head upon head in the sand” characterizes the response of too many. More victims should advocate for effective changes. Victims of environmental abuse need a better track record.

  • miriamcb

    And for a positive…

    Hooray for all of the construction materials being removed from Montague near the R train!

  • ShinyNewHandle

    And hooray for the construction materials removed from the yard of PS 8! Thank you to the fellow with the little hatchback, who somehow managed to fit all those long pieces in. (OK, 5 AM was a little early for it, but at least it’s done.)

  • DoBro84

    Noticed the beginning of filings for 66-70 Henry Street.

    “CONSTRUCT NEW 5 STORY MIXED USE BUILDING AS PER PLANS FILED”

    You can get info on the architect, owner and filings at:

    http://a810-bisweb.nyc.gov/bisweb/JobsQueryByNumberServlet?requestid=1&passjobnumber=321102766&passdocnumber=01