Open Thread Wednesday

By on January 12, 2022 7:40 am in open thread

What’s on your mind? Comment away!

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  • Christine

    Does anyone have any word yet on the new Brooklyn Heights library branch set to open in Cadman Plaza? The building was initially set to open in fall, then winter/early 2022.

  • Matt

    Anyone have any idea where the loud whistling sound is coming from (no doubt caused by the wind) in/around Monroe bwt Clinton and Henry street? Its been very loud over the past few weeks, especially at night when the street noise is limited.

  • Mike Suko

    That’s probably coming from Cadman Towers. See the recent story here and elsewhere about the occupant there who went to Mexico and somehow mis-set an alarm in his apt.

  • Andrew Porter

    Here’s the intersection of Fulton (now Cadman Plaza) Montague and Court once upon a time, showing the Fulton Street elevated train line.

    In the reply, you can see that the elevated line was in the process of being demolished. The rounded building at left—where Jackie Robinson was signed, as a plaque on its replacement still says—is long gone, as are all the buildings at the right:
    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/6e1f1efc92840e30619751a27a869ee7f0c1ac7b113ce824f0f17551e9f5f90c.png

  • Andrew Porter
  • streeter

    Reposting this since probably nobody read this late last night:
    Twitter is abuzz with word that the Regal Court Street is closing. (Has since been confirmed)
    Looks like Sunday may be the last day to see a movie there.

  • Jorale-man

    Sign of the times. I wish I had warmer memories of attending films there. The few times I went, pre-pandemic, it was full of rude people talking and texting throughout. I’d go so far as travel to Battery Park City to see movies that were also playing at Court. I’m sorry though for the people who will lose their jobs.

  • meschwar

    Maybe it will be replaced by another, nicer theater.

  • cool

    You can see the Beecher statute that currently stands at the top of plaza in front of Borough Hall.

  • Mike Suko

    REALLY? … It’s hard to think of a world where Covid makes “going to the movies” look brave/foolish, but I think that non-mall movie theaters in upscale urban locations with “mall-type economics” is about as certain a losing proposition as I can think of.

    The “locals” – presumably including most of us – have long since preferred to travel a little further to either Cobble Hill, the Alamo or BAM. That won’t change when a place like the Regal [whatever the operator] shows Spider Man 24 and films like that – EXCLUSIVELY.

    It’s one of many reasons why home-viewing (streaming) is ascendant.

    The biggest space on Montague (@Henry) – the former “Loft” – may be the hardest one to re-let. Ditto, the Barney’s space on Atlantic. A movie theater “re-purposed” faces even worse headwinds. Too bad St. Francis made other plans, because that might have worked.

    Walentas family/organization – figure it out! You made Atlantic & Court a winner when I, among others, I’m sure, thought you had lost your bearings.

    Anybody know if Century 21 still has a pulse?

  • Andrew Porter

    I haven’t been to a movie theater in maybe a decade. Two words: bed bugs.

  • Love Laner

    Fingers crossed! It wasn’t perfect but I frequently went to the Court Street Regal pre-pandemic. The sheer number of screens was such a boon–there were always lots of available showtimes and films on offer. Maybe AMC or Cinépolis would be intrigued.

  • meschwar

    I’m not sure I followed all of that. But here are my arguments that it’s possible.

    Pre pandemic, movie theaters we’re doing just fine. They’ll be back.

    It’s also really difficult (though not impossible, of course) to turn a movie theater into something besides a theater. Unless someone wants to knock that whole building down and build from the ground up, the expense of converting that to retail space could be prohibitive.

  • Bornhere
  • Banet

    Century 21 is bankrupt and gone.

  • Banet

    Pre-pandemic movie theaters were actually not doing “fine”. They were struggling financially and trying to reinvent themselves. Hence The Alamo and iPix. And all the RPX screens and reserved seating

  • Banet

    After seeing many blockbusters there, once The Alamo at City Point opened we saw 95% of our movies there. Cheaper, nicer, quieter. Decent food, great pre-roll before the previews. And they were expanding into the Century 21 space pre-pandemic so they might return better than ever.

  • TeddyNYC

    I went there once about twenty years ago and it felt a little too cramped for me.

  • Mike Suko

    You go 1 for 2 – and this is factual, not just your opinion or mine.

    The “existential crisis” for indoor movie theaters is just a decade or so behind that for drive-ins.

    But Century 21 clings to life. I suspect they’d re-open, but these are smart (if low-margin) retailers. Now is not the time, obviously, because they need high demand, perhaps fueled by tourists (I’ve seen it) who have nothing like it in their home towns.

    So as to avoid too much posting, YES, a “tear down” re the Regal has a lot to be said for it, … but unless it could go 8-12+ stories & residential (which I doubt is “as of right”), I’m not sure it computes. Meanwhile, dept. stores & colleges and a whole lot more don’t NEED windows. At most, they’re “nice to have.”

    You may say that converting the St. George into dorm space was a no-brainer, but it took vision. I’ll bet that “the Regal” is shuttered/unused at least until 2025.

  • tallulah

    I contacted 311 about the homeless young man who’s been camped out on Hicks St btwn Remsen and Montague for weeks – esp as it continues to get colder. No action has occurred. Has anyone else tried or is aware of his condition?

  • RickP

    Of all the businesses that have come and gone in the Hts, the one I miss the most is the Piccadeli. It was on Montague, same block as the Bossert. I also miss the pharmacy at the corner of Hicks and Montague and the butcher on the corner at Henry.

  • Banet

    I miss Height Books. :-(

  • Bk heights
  • jj

    Call Dept. of Homeless Services and report a code blue.

  • MaggieO

    an interesting piece showcasing some adaptive reuse of more recent movie theater buildings: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-11-23/what-do-you-do-with-a-lot-of-dead-movie-theaters

  • Karl Junkersfeld

    I miss the Brooklyn Heights of 10 years ago with Bloomberg leading the city, Marty Markowitz as a Brooklyn cheerleader, Regina Myers building a great park, Judy Stanton and the BHA, Martin Schneider, Mr. Krogius writing for Brooklyn Eagle, hanging out at Le Pain Quotidian, having brunch at Jack the Horse, pastries at Cranberries, Homer Fink managing the Brooklyn Heights Blog with Claude Scales as his trusty assistant, Heather Quinlan and contributions from Nabeguy, thank goodness, AEB is still around, and on and on…..

  • nomcebo manzini

    Thanks so much for posting this link. Yes, it’s mostly about suburban malls, but “adaptive reuse” is a great concept – wherever.

    3 ideas percolated up for me – (1) medical use – yes Mt. Sinai has a big presence in the big building on Cadman P.W. – Starting with temperature checks in the lobby and shared elevators, it’s not ideal. THEIR OWN SPACE? And who has more money (& pays no taxes) than a hospital these days?

    2) “WeWork” or whatever might replace it if/when Covid doesn’t dog our every move. Think about it – What used to be Bubbe’s in Dumbo is now an amenity (Work OUTSIDE your home) for any 2Trees resident.

    Windows are just a distraction! and “open space” is the norm, I believe.

    I’ve read that many entities – for profit ones, for sure – have given up fixed offices but still want the occasional NON-ZOOM workspace – meetings, intensives where collaboration is crucial, etc.

    3) and in a similar vein – one more Equinox or similar! Similar thinking to #2 re windows. In addition, basketball, swimming?, squash/tennis. We’re moving to flex-time BIG TIME. and I don’t think “fitness” has jumped the shark yet.

    Last, mix & match from the above. It’s a big enough space to have at least 2 entrances.

  • nomcebo manzini

    I was gonna give this an enthusiastic (meaningless) thumbs up, but then I thought –

    If you prioritized your list – I never knew Homer Fink, but I understand he was “larger than life” – you’d have to admit that Brooklyn Bridge Park is a gift that KEEPS ON giving…. The BH Cinema *really* wouldn’t make most long time Hts residents’ list of “most missed;” the pastries you like are available half a block away now; the BHA is probably in BETTER hands with its current Exec. Director… and JTH looks like it’s (well, new name, new mgt, new “vision”) putting the finishing touches on.

    I’m no Pollyanna, but if I could wish away Covid and “pencil in” 5 decent tenants on Montague – sorry, a head shop and Korean fast food aren’t what I have in mind – I’d say that Bklyn Hts has just had a few “bumps in the road.”.

    More positively, suppose the new Public Library branch is GREAT – it could be. St Ann’s
    Warehouse has a lovely new home, the JW’s gave way to lots of REAL neighborhood inhabitants. Plenty of new construction at the edges (fortunately) of our neighborhood, so it hasn’t lost its character. Better than ever subway service [joke] – I doubt you’ve been combing the internet for real estate possibilities outside 11201 – and with GOOD REASON!

  • Andrew Porter
  • Andrew Porter

    I got into an argument about the 2-plex at Henry/Orange with “David on Middagh,” and he never spoke to me again, before moving upstate.

    The Heights Annex on Pineapple Walk was originally built as a movie theatre, to replace the St. George Playhouse (2 photos below), torn down by Robert Moses. Empty for years until repurposed.
    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/e83095753e0228b6908dd16899efde9d17c5e2613cd80dd05cec3f9f3034920b.png

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