Open Thread Wednesday

First off: love the blog. Long time reader, first time writer. With regard to your comment: And btw, what’s so bad about the development of the Yards anyway?
A few things. First -the development of the railyard itself is not a bad thing – and if that was the only thing being “developed” that would be fine. I supported the project origianlly b/c I was under the mistaken impression that that was what was being done. However, the railyard piece accounts for only 40% of the Ratner/FC project, the rest aims to “develop” an already developed neighborhood through the use of eminent domain. There are small businesses and homes that are going to be destroyed for a bunch of high rises that – had there been a market for them- would have developed there. A good overview as to why this venture is statism at its worst can be found here:

http://www.city-journal.org/printable.php?id=2119

Some Watchtower members believe “Brooklyn Bethel” will completely migrate out of the nabe within the next 10 years. Good or bad for the Heights?

That depends on what new “nabe” they have in mind. If it’s a celestial one, that could be very bad for the rest of us.

For people who supposedly believe the end is imminent, the Witnesses do seem to expend a lot of effort on keeping their properties in tip-top condition.

Is the Brooklyn Paper’s recent coverage of the Atlantic Yards project bold and cutting edge or just plain “yellow journalism”? Example:

“Blood Money: The future home for the Brooklyn Nets will be emblazoned with the corporate logo of a British bank that was founded on the slave trade, collaborated with the Nazis and did business with South Africa’s apartheid government.”

It’s bold, cutting-edge yellow journalism.

Actually, it seems inevitable that the arena would be named for a British institution. After all, we have the chip shop on Atlantic, and you can nip next door to Floyd to watch Association Football on the telly. I’ve also heard rumors of a curry take-out in Boeurm Hill, and the Fairway in Red Hook has a British food section. Brooklyn seems well on its way to becoming Kentish Town West.

And btw, what’s so bad about the development of the Yards anyway? Haven’t we been waiting for 50 years for something to be built where the “new” Ebbets Field wasn’t?

I have some misgivings, especially about the use of eminent domain. On the whole, though, I’m excited about the project.

On a related note, Frank Gehry – genius or hack?

I like many of his designs, which I find stimulating and refreshing. However, I have friends who disagree (follow the link in the comment by keifus).

Is it really so bad for someone to write “God is Love” in snow on your car?

Let me turn that question around. What if they wrote “Love is God”?

Anyone visit Food Maestro, Blue Pig Party Cranberry Place, Housing Works?

No, no and no. I do intend to have a look at Housing Works soon. Does the strikeout through Blue Pig Party mean it’s morphed into something else again, called Cranberry Place? as for Food Maestro, I read the review. Feh!

Do you think the Brooklyn Heights Association is effective in representing the community? Will you attend its annual meeting on February 28?

Yes and yes.

Live jazz and wine tastings? That’s intriguing.

Housing Works, that is (see above post)

As for the BHA, I wish they would do something about the speeding on Henry and Hicks. We need signs, bumps or something. It is a bad situation!