Open Thread Wednesday

By on November 15, 2022 11:08 pm in open thread

What’s on your mind? Comment away!

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  • PoplarPoodle

    Does anyone know the status of the scaffolding surrounding 140 Cadman Plaza West in the North Heights? Their garage is empty, the scaffolding has been up for years and no noticeable work is being done. I’ve heard residents say “the building is falling down and we’ve got no money to fix it.” Wondering if anyone knows what happening? Has the BHA investigated? Thanks.

  • JaneonOrange

    Great photo.

  • http://selfabsorbedboomer.blogspot.com/ Claude Scales

    Thanks!

  • MaggieO

    scaffolding is up due to a hazardous facade finding in 2019. here’s the description from the report: “Cracked laminated safety glass panels along east and west facade balcony railing assemblies. Cracked/spalled concrete sections throughout the garage exterior just below the 2ndfloor terrace and numerous east and west facade balcony curbs, and at the main roof west parapet. Cracked decorative concrete masonry units (CMU) at the north garage wall. Cracked/spalled brick at the roof level bulkhead. Cracked cast stone coping segments atop the 2nd floor terrace parapet walls. Missing/loose air conditioner grilles at the east and west facades.”

  • gc

    Yes great photo Claude!
    That is now the new location for the Deploy coffee wagon (I saw it there, in front of the flag, Tuesday AM). I believe it’s scheduled there Mondays and Tuesday as part of a BHA pilot program. Much better than the previous location on the Promenade, but I’m still not convinced that this is a good idea.
    Still looks like a bit of a slippery slope.

  • PoplarPoodle

    Thanks! Seems like a lot of work to be done, but doesn’t seem like its been started. I wonder if they’ll do it…

  • Mark C

    According to Eater, Tsuta is finally opening up on Old Fulton this Friday: https://ny.eater.com/2022/11/16/23462759/tsuta-ramen-first-michelin-star-opens-dumbo

  • http://selfabsorbedboomer.blogspot.com/ Claude Scales

    I don’t think the argument, “Because you allowed the coffee vendor on the Promenade, you must now allow my hot dog cart” would fly. The Parks Department has wide discretion regarding what to allow and what not to allow.

    I’ve heard varying responses to the cart’s arrival and positioning. I think it detracts from the view in either position. The question is whether this outweighs the convenience of getting a hot cuppa joe to enjoy during your visit to the Promenade. Of course, one could also get it from the deli at Montague and Hicks.

  • Andrew Porter

    Yes, but wish when I clicked on it there was a larger version.

  • Andrew Porter

    Here’s 56 Joralemon Street on June 14, 1905. The workman is wearing his protective bowler, guaranteed to protect him from falling gnats—but not much else:
    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/78934248a694d51500ed86c45a23ba72ae6d459a61e492ab9dcbcfd01e4d0a13.jpg

  • http://selfabsorbedboomer.blogspot.com/ Claude Scales

    Mary Frost of the Eagle has addressed the issue of the coffee cart with her keen journalistic eye and (metaphorical) pen: https://brooklyneagle.com/articles/2022/11/16/coffee-cart-on-brooklyn-heights-promenade-causes-brew-haha/

  • Jorale-man

    A pre-Thanksgiving pandemic update for 11201:
    Dates: November 7-November 13
    7-day percent positive: 8.16%
    People tested (reported to date): 723
    New people positive (reported to date): 59
    https://www.nyc.gov/site/doh/covid/covid-19-data.page#maps
    The community level of Covid-19 in Brooklyn is high, based on cases and hospitalizations, according to the most recent update from the C.D.C. on Nov. 10. It’s going to be an interesting holiday season.

  • JaneonOrange

    I could get my old baby carriage out and walk up and down the promenade selling coffee like I did in the 70s!

  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7nPOzGeyaw Arch Stanton

    I remember that! My friend and I did a copycat cart, selling lemonade.

  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7nPOzGeyaw Arch Stanton

    Is that POW/MIA flag still there? (rolls eyes)

  • JaneonOrange

    We sold coffee, lemonade, soup and donuts (but only during the art show). Made the Eagle. We also sold coffee at the bridge during the transit strike. Made Channel 4 news with that one.

  • Banet

    I would think an acceptable location might be a bit further to the east, and just off to the north of that current location. Still at the Montague entrance to the Promenade, but essentially on sidewalk, no the walkway. For those who remember, I’m thinking of the location where the pay phone was located until a few years ago.

  • HenryLoL

    It’s a Mitchell Llama building – they are broke. Could have left the program and been flush, but I believe they voted not to. Perhaps it goes bankrupt? Must be incurring fines for not completing work…

  • Peter Higginstrom

    Any residents of 100 Remsen or 111 Hicks willing to share details of their buildings financials?

    In May of 2021 shareholders of 140 Cadman Plaza West voted (93 in favor, 100 against) against accepting a roughly $20 million loan at about 3.25% annual interest from HPD/HDC that would have required the building to remain a Mitchell-Lama for 30 years. The current mortgage obligations of 140 Cadman total about $6million. The difference would have been used to fund repairs.

    The garage was vacated because of deteriorated concrete and rebar in September 2021. A few months ago shareholders voted in favor of a capital assessment that will be levied over the course of one year to fully fund approximately $5 million in garage repairs.

    Whether or not to remain in the Mitchell-lama program has been a divisive issue among shareholders for decades. The cooperative is not broke but does not have sufficient funds to pay for all necessary repairs which were estimated at between $9-$15 million (including about $5 million in now funded garage repairs) in 2020.

    “…and if you don’t know, know you know..” -Christopher Wallace-

  • MaggieO

    They’re not actually incurring any ECB fines but they do have to pay for maintaining the sidewalk shed in seeming perpetuity. If conditions continue to deteriorate and impact the livability of the apartments then they’ll get HPD fines. They do have some open permits for minor repairs to the garage but the facade report clearly indicates more extensive problems.

  • CassieVonMontague

    NYC Administrative Code § 18-132 Displaying a POW/MIA flag over public property.

    1. Until such time as all members of the United States Armed Forces listed either as missing in action or prisoners of war are accounted for by the United States government, the commissioner shall assure, subject to subdivisions 2 and 3 of this section, that the Prisoner of War/Missing in Action (POW/MIA) flag is flown over all public property under the jurisdiction of the commissioner whenever the American flag is flown over such property.

    https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/newyorkcity/latest/NYCadmin/0-0-0-30191

  • http://www.yotamzohar.com StudioBrooklyn

    Beloved former neighbors,

    I have used part of my lunch break during the school day (I am a teacher) here on my beautiful adopted island in northwest Washington to add my signature to Stop The Chop’s petition to reduce helicopter traffic above Brooklyn Heights and its surroundings.

    I hope you will sign too or at least get busy with an anti-aircraft [gadget] on the top of your building. Do it for the kids.

    -SB (YZ)

  • http://www.yotamzohar.com StudioBrooklyn

    That oughta solve the problem

  • Mike Suko

    Now that the new Heights Branch of the BPL(ibrary) has an unobstructed sidewalk in front to access it, anyone who lives in BH and hasn’t visited it … really either hates books or needs to get out more. I remember some of the carping when it opened – yes, I still think that events where Books-of-Magic paid a little and benefitted (along with its customers) a LOT would be a nice addition – but now that it’s “a toddler” (not an infant) in institutional terms, it’s well worth a visit.

    For many, it will become a wonderful regular-stop amenity, and the more use it gets, the more likely it will be to get a few extra dollars for acquisitions, I’m sure.

    It has SEVEN DAY A WEEK HOURS, too. If you’re a parent and you aren’t a “regular,” well, … you ought to be!

  • Andrew Porter

    Have others noticed the enormous number of tourists spewing forth from the High Street and Clark Street subway stations? And the crowds of people wandering the streets of BH and DUMBO as part of tour groups and selfie-taking visitors?

    On my first time in DUMBO in a couple of years, I was astonished by the crowds on the streets and the traffic jam of people and cars at the intersection of Old Fulton and Water Streets.

    Who knew that Brooklyn Heights would become part of “mass tourism” which people blame for ruining Venice and other places? I hope this doesn’t ruin BH for the rest of us.

  • FatFreddy’sCatheter

    Speaking of DUMBO, is there a replacement (literary or not) for the used bookstore, P.S. Books, whose corner coordinates escape me? That was a large space.

  • Andrew Porter

    It’s now a clothing store.

  • FatFreddy’sCatheter

    Thank you. I guess clothes are culture, too. Read the labels, or something.

  • Jorale-man

    Yes, I’ve very much noticed. DUMBO has completely been given over to mass tourism, especially on weekends. Between the Washington Street view, the Time Out market (grossly overpriced and underwhelming), and Brooklyn Flea, it’s really changed. I don’t see the tourists roaming the Heights that much (yet), at least south of Clark Street. You get occasional tour groups but it’s nothing like DUMBO.

  • KDHicks

    Hot take, but I like Deploy Coffee and love the idea behind this cart to generate more business in the area, especially for small business owners — plus it’s convenient for visitors to the promenade craving a cup of coffee. I’m genuinely confused why there’s so much worry about it? If there’s a proper permitting process in place, this seems like it can only be good for the neighborhood. Fully in support of this BHA pilot program — the BHA overall are doing wonders to revitalize the area with all the Montague businesses opening and programs like this. Kudos to them!

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