Open Thread Wednesday

There’s an article in the Daily Eagle saying that the Bossert is planning to open on October 1. That’s 3.5 months away.

Personally, I can’t imagine how that’s going to be possible. There’s been zero work done on the lobby level or the sub lobby level in over a year. And while obviously a lot can going on inside that we cannot see with 300+ rooms, that means they need 300+ toilets installed and 300+ bathtubs and 300+ sinks. As someone who walks by at least 6 times a day I’m pretty confident they haven’t unloaded that volume of insanely heavy porcelain.

Of course, they could re-use the fixtures the witnesses left but if they do then ugh, this is not going to be a very nice hotel as the Witnesses went for utilitarian over all else.

I think your linked website does a pretty poor job of explaining what is bad about the new library. And I am just talking about the libraries, not the new residential construction.

Serious question, what is the objection to the proposed new library? For those who haven’t seen it, its described here. Top left tab “Community Benefits and New Library.” http://280cadman.com/

I use the current library frequently. It is clearly run down. AC and heating is a mess, wifi sucks, toilet is disgusting.

I see they plan to relocate the Business and Career Library, but that rationale seems to make sense, and it is not necessarily a Brooklyn Heights “community” issue.

Is the new library going to be smaller, even taking into account the Business and Career Library? That is not clear from either site, but even if it is, not sure how bad that is, as the current library is rarely crowded.

I do not pretend to have researched the issue in depth, and I’m aware the developer is obviously going to put a positive spin on the new library. But looking at both websites, and as a local user of the library, I’m just not sure what the objections are.

Oh boy! I can’t wait for the next hot topic!!!

Does the Bossert have a basketball court inside, or on the roof???

Fair point. But the building manager of an upscale condo might put a little more pressure on keeping the toilet clean.

And the toilet is pretty old and decrepit regardless of cleanliness.

I hope you’re right…I don’t see the building manager wanting to bother with a public toilet.

KX wants to know what is bad about the new library. It is less than half the size of our present library, which, only 23 years ago, was enlarged for a growing population, entirely renovated and completely rewired and updated for modern technology. It will be built beneath a luxury condo over 400 feet high and therefore can never again expand in size for an ever-growing population. It will not hold the abundant number of books or computers that our present library provides. Its size and limited books and computers will not be able to accommodate the many thousands who rely on it, not only from Brooklyn Heights, but from all the less-advantaged communities surrounding this neighborhood.
The AC and heating in our library can easily be repaired with funds from the city, whose budget surplus alone is over $4 billion. They have been left in disrepair as an excuse to sell the library. The elevator was also left in disrepair until I and one other person called 311 to report the library as off limits to the handicapped. Now the elevator works perfectly and does not break down every other day. The bathrooms can easily be cleaned. Our library is strong and solid, of historic importance, built by Francis Keally who was also the architect for The Grand Army Plaza. It is certainly not dilapidated! Anyone entering that building would be dismayed that such a fine library would be torn down. The new library will lack the famous Business-Careers-Education library that belongs here in the business district. Its new location at Grand Army Plaza has limited bus and subway service and no elevator from subway level to street level for the handicapped. We have an entire hub of subway and bus service and an elevator from subway to street level. The interim library will be only 7,000 square feet, far too small to provide for the needs of our communities. There will be 4 years of construction here with toxic debris and emissions, massive traffic tie ups because of its location at Clinton and Tillary. We are sacrificing this library supposedly to help repair 4 other libraries in Brooklyn. Why should we have to do that, especially when the BPL knows that they will not get the profit they expect from this low-bid $52 million sale? And especially because the city has more than enough to pay for repairs in this library and throughout the BPL system. And we have evidence that the entire plan for this library with luxury condo above was a pay-to-play deal between the developer, Hudson Companies and de Blasio. That pay-to-play is now part of the investigations of corruption concerning our mayor. These are just some of the things wrong with the new library.

You cannot possibly know if they haven’t received any plumbing fixtures. Besides, the Jo-Ho’s did an excellent job of restoring the building when they took it over so perhaps they don’t need replacing. Also, The lobby doesn’t need much work as its in pretty fine condition.

You’re right — I can’t know. But I can suspect. I can see the building out my window where I sit and work all day. They’ve cleared many truckloads of debris in the past. And taken in a huge amount of drywall. But that’s about it. No beds. No mattresses. No desks. No bedspreads. No paint. No tables or chairs for restaurants. No kitchen equipment.

Having renovated several homes I know it can go fast near the end but I also know there’s a limit to what can get done in 3 months. I’d bet $500 they don’t open October 1 and honestly I’d be surprised if they open this year.

Does anyone know of an affordable vet in the neighborhood?

Oops, sorry DIBS, what i meant to say was “yeah, damn unions!” And shake my fist. Anti-union people love to talk about how much they hate unions. Sorry I don’t have more to contribute.

Excellent care, I agree. But it was over $700 for my friend’s yearly check up. Trying to find something more affordable in the nabe. Granted, he got heart worm pills for a year and flea/tick meds. But I was floored by the cost.

This does not bode well. There is something going on tonight at the Bossert and someone is singing at the top of his lungs at 11:35 pm. Who knows how long this will go on. Occasionally, someone is yelling out of a close by window about calling the police. I live near the Casino and it is bad enough that they often carry on with their music until 1 am, but if this is a sign from the Bossert of things to come, what will happen when the bar on top opens. Why do we have to let these special interests ruin our neighborhood? And, the singing goes on.

I was about to ask who was cranking the Michael Buble at such an hour. Alas, it probably wasn’t that bad.

This is a perfect example of how a block or two can make a huge difference: I’m on Henry and Joralemon and am totally (and, perhaps, blissfully) unaware of these doings or the situation with the HC. To expand: if one doesn’t live on or right off Joralemon, one hasn’t a clue what it’s like nowadays. So this is a good reminder that, as neighbors, we have to appreciate concerns of each other, even if we aren’t subjected to those concerns.
(And I wasn’t aware that the Bossert is already functioning!)