We received word that the Landmarks Preservation Commission Approved the redesign for 27 Cranberry Street. According to our source, They called it “inventive, harmonious with streetscape and of high quality. They agreed that the use of roman brick completely resolved the scale issue.”

Architect Tom van den Bout tells Brownstoner:

…the 5,000-square-foot house is “massed to appear smaller from both the street and the rear gardens” and “rendered in humbler material in a less formal composition.” There are a bunch of specific changes—including the use of roman brick rather than brownstone and zinc replacing bronze for the metal cornice and bay—that helped it pass muster with Landmarks this time around; click through for all of them.

Two buildings — the larger, northern one with hotel rooms, a restaurant, housing units and parking; the smaller, southern one with housing units and parking — will be built in a currently fallow area between the bike/walking path and Furman Street. The first, “Building A,” will be 100 feet high, and the second, “Building B,” will be 55 feet high.

The plan will contain 300 parking spaces, 170 to 225 hotel rooms, 150 to 180 housing units and 300 parking spaces. Among the criteria to be used in choosing designs are street trees, signage, sustainability and how the plan fits in with the surrounding area.

The BBPC cited the “economic recovery” as a reason to build — hotel occupancy increased from 81 percent in 2009 to 85 percent in 2010, and the average rate per room went up as well.

During the “Q&A” phase of the meeting, though, Judi Francis of the BBP Defense Fund expressed her opinion that the BBPC’s economic evaluation of the housing situation was unrealistic. “Fifty percent of the units at 360 Furman Street are still unsold”.

Also during the meeting, the BBPC board approved the licensing agreement with Jane’s Carousel. The Brooklyn Eagle described the approval as being “amid enthusiasm”, which leads me to put this question to you, our reading audience: Am I the only one who thinks Jane’s Carousel is gaudy and ugly as sin?

Feldman noted: “Despite what the plaintiffs in the case, led by the Brooklyn Heights Association and New York Landmarks Conservancy, might have us believe, there are no winners with this legal decision.  In fact, everybody loses – New York City, the Public, St. Ann’s, and the fragile buildings with their uncertain future. We are grateful that the judge’s ruling did not preclude an alternative process for converting the structures, and we believe conversion will eventually prevail (despite the sad fact that a second lawsuit filed by the BHA still threatens restoration and adaptive reuse of the two historic structures).”

Feldman concluded the update on a hopeful note, expressing excitement for St Ann’s Warehouse 2011-2012 season, which will start with a “new Karen O psycho-opera, an assault on the tragic joys of youth, that will be directed by Adam Rapp”.

Full text of the update:

On behalf of the St. Ann’s Warehouse Board and Staff, I’m writing to thank everyone, worldwide, for the tremendous outpouring of love and support you continue to send our way regarding the Tobacco Warehouse saga. I’ve been traveling, as I often do in the summer, scouting new work to bring home to New York for this and future seasons. And, everywhere I go, I run into American and international colleagues who have been following our tale of the two warehouses — from elation at our designation to receive the Tobacco Warehouse last November to disappointment and concern for our cultural community over the federal court ruling last Tuesday. The judge’s ruling effectively prevents St. Ann’s and Brooklyn Bridge Park from carrying out our plan to transform the Tobacco Warehouse into a world class cultural destination on the Brooklyn Waterfront.

Many tears have been shed, particularly over the callousness of the neighborhood and preservation organizations that filed the suit and then turned a blind eye to the collateral damage it has caused — to St. Ann’s Warehouse; to our DUMBO neighborhood, which we will have to leave; to the Park and to the future preservation of the Tobacco Warehouse and Empire Stores.

We are honored to have been designated to restore and adapt the Tobacco Warehouse as a Waterfront cultural and community center in Brooklyn Bridge Park. We continue to believe the Tobacco Warehouse would make an ideal home for the local, national and international communities it was designed to serve.  And we are proud that Brooklyn Bridge Park and the Bloomberg Administration remain committed to St. Ann’s proposed vision for the Tobacco Warehouse, which, ironically, has recently received a Design Award from  the New York State chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA).

Despite what the plaintiffs in the case, led by the Brooklyn Heights Association and New York Landmarks Conservancy, might have us believe, there are no winners with this legal decision.  In fact, everybody loses – New York City, the Public, St. Ann’s, and the fragile buildings with their uncertain future. We are grateful that the judge’s ruling did not preclude an alternative process for converting the structures, and we believe conversion will eventually prevail (despite the sad fact that a second lawsuit filed by the BHA still threatens restoration and adaptive reuse of the two historic structures).

However, for St. Ann’s, the ruling creates continuing uncertainty, which is an enemy to the project.  Knowing we must leave our current space a year from now, we cannot risk a lengthy, drawn out conversion process in which the plaintiffs will continue the battle.  Given their lack of support, we must devote our attention now to securing a future home elsewhere. We are actively looking at alternative spaces and have identified options we are eagerly pursuing.

In the meantime, we are looking forward to a great season in our current DUMBO home, beginning this October through May 2012. It kicks off with an exciting collaboration with St. Ann’s and The Creators Project presenting the premiere of a new Karen O psycho-opera, an assault on the tragic joys of youth, that will be directed by Adam Rapp.

We look forward to getting away from litigation and back to where we most belong: producing and presenting cutting-edge new works at the world’s intersection of theater and rock and roll.

With much love and many thanks,

Susan Feldman
Artistic Director, St. Ann’s Warehouse

The Columbia Heights Sgraffito Restoration Project officially has begun! As mentioned a couple of times before here at Brooklyn Heights Blog, the building’s co-op board had been looking to restore the unique sgraffito façade for years. With financing finally in place, and permits signed, the project commenced last week — starting with removing layers and layers of paint from the second level of the façade. The restoration will be done by the skilful hands at G & L Popian, who have been patiently working with the building on getting this project off the ground.

Here’s a current view, after the paint has been removed:

For reference, here’s the “before” picture:

And here’s the “before before” picture:

Much work will need to be done, particularly on the ground level portion of the façade. The project is planned to take around 5 months to complete, though it is my personal dream to see it finished before Halloween.

Here’s a close-up of a section:

124 Willow, built in 1831 and renovated in 1885 by William Tubby, was the most impressive of the spaces, but its grandness only extended through the parlor floor rooms, as the rest of the home settled into an average feel. On the other end of the spectrum, the modern design and layout of 12 Sidney Place were not to our tastes, but the daughter’s loft space was pretty cool. 72 Hicks, with its fabric-covered walls, seemed to be a cleaner’s nightmare.

Yet, more interesting than the houses themselves were the people who shelled out the 40 bucks to meander house to house and ostensibly be impressed by the grandeur. It seems most people, including myself, privately find themselves feeling a mixture of awe and contempt — awe over the size and structure of the space, contempt for the owners who to their eyes abused it. “That chandelier is tacky”, “Why is the bed so short?”, “the staircase is gaudy”, “I prefer open kitchens”, “this is what? An EXERCISE ROOM?” — were a few of the comments overheard. The BHA tour guidebook — which is about 20% historical tidbit and 80% name-dropping — seemed to be totally ignored, as few cared if Winston Churchill really ate at the table, and were more concerned with the alignment of the personal mementos and tchotchkes that litter any person’s home according to their own logic. It seems we tour these houses to confirm our private hopes that those more well-off than us have as much subjectively poor taste as the rest of us.

I found myself making similar comments — “fabric walls?” “Mao-era ceramic figurines?” “This looks like it came from Ikea” — until I realized, hey, MY kitchen came from Ikea, what the hell am I talking about? What would I have done with the the space? Turned it into a Pee-Wee Herman’s playhouse? It was envy, over what I don’t have and can’t transform to fit my own personal aesthetic.

I wonder why the home-owners put themselves up to the scrutiny. Did the BHA brow-beat them, or were they so confident in their own tastes and positions that they simply don’t care?

Anyhoo, those were my impressions of the house tour. Did anyone else go? What were your thoughts?

At around 5:50pm or so, a hawk was spotted eating what looked like a pigeon on Columbia Heights, between Pierrepont and Clark streets. A flurry of feathers fell to the ground as the bird of prey tore into its victim. Anyone else see it?

Today’s Helicopter Noise Press Conference, courtesy of Karl Junkersfeld.

WPIX-TV’s 6:30pm package after the jump.
 

My son has just reported that in the old Heights Books space, the cupcake bakery “Crumbs” is opening! I say YES!!

We are assuming this is the “Crumbs” Bakery chain that originated in NYC some years ago. Their Store Locations page doesn’t yet list a Montague Street address yet. Can anyone confirm?

Update (by Claude Scales):

BHB photo by C. Scales

Flickr photo by brooklyn dan

The Brooklyn Paper reports that the blaze started in Montague Wine and Spirits, while the Brooklyn Eagle reports that it started in the laundromat and spread to the liquor store.  Given BHB commenters’ observations and Karl Junkersfeld’s video of the damage it appears on first glance that the Eagle got it right.  However, we won’t know until the FDNY issues its report.

Update: Service was restored.

Click for full sized version. WARNING: It's a large file.

A tipster sent us this unsolicited letter they received today, from Two Trees Management, asking for support for their Dock Street Dumbo plan. Yelling “IT’S NOW OR NEVER FOR A NEW MIDDLE SCHOOL IN DUMBO AND OUR NEIGHBORHOOD’S FIRST EVER AFFORDABLE HOUSING!”, they ask the recipient to contact David Yassky immediately, and attend a hearing hosted by the NYC Council Subcommittee on Zoning & Franchises on Thursday, May 14th at 11am.

Sound intriguing? Would you like to subscribe to their newsletter? Contact Nora Mattingly at 718-222-2500 or at nmattingly@twotrees-dumbo.com.

Anyone else out there receive this mailing?

According to sources at tonight’s meeting, Community Board 2 gave their stamp of approval for the Two Trees’ Dock Street DUMBO project. The final vote was 30 yeah, 7 nay. More details to hopefully arrive soon.

Congratulations, Two Trees! Looks like the $180k spent on lobbying firms last year really paid off!

And this dispatch from a BHB Tipster in attendance:

Yes, a full house, some standing in the back. Some press.

Marty Markowitz swore in some new CB members and gave a little talk about how important CBs are.

A few other items, then the 5th item on the agenda was the Dock St. project. A few CB members who had previously not had a chance to speak spoke out against it—on person quite cogently, reminding the CB that a few years ago when Walentas previously tried to build tall, that they unanimously passed a resolution saying that nothing taller than the roadway would be approved in the future. That was completely ignored, obviously, and the school carrot carried the day in a big way.

Ken Fisher (super lobbyist was there and looked pleased with the result). Papa Walentas was also there and looked very happy and was speaking with Tish James who called it “a great day.”

I didn’t see Jed, but it’s possible he was there.

People holding signs for and against.

Clearly it was emotional for some people on the CB and in the audience.

Bottom line, you win some, you lose some. It won’t be the end of the world, but I truly hope that Two Trees lives up to all of its commitments to the middle school. Basically since nothing is in writing, and no financing is lined up, they just handed Two Trees a blank check. A few CB members pointed that out. One CB member called the BoE school building process “rotten.”

Damages started its second season on FX Wednesday night.

BHB newshound BP sent in this photo of a fire at on Cranberry, between Henry and Hicks streets. No further details as of yet. Says BP: “I think that’s the one that’s under construction..” Update: this has been confirmed, it’s 67 Cranberry, which was undergoing a gut renovation. According to neighborhood photojournalist Marc “weegee” Hermann, it was a two-alarm fire, accidentally started by contractors in the building. Firefighters from Engine 205 said people were banging on the firehouse door to report it:

Fire on Cranberry. Click on photo for full size.

Update: This from Andrew:

All I know is that I was told by the 84th Precinct that there is a
fire at 67 Cranberry Street. I heard a LOT of fire engines, starting
at about 9:15am.

And Gothamist‘s Jake Dobkin sent us this photo:

Update 2: Benjamin Hoffman sent us this set of photos of the fire:

I should also note that the list of schools considered “peers” to PS 8 has changed from last year, with some added and some placed in other “peer” groups. If the peer groups change from year to year, and one doesn’t find out until the report is published, this seems to be like a moving target for a school. What if the next year they consider your “peer” to be the elementary school equivalent of Harvard?

Another difference between the 2008 report and the 2007 report is that in 2007 Student Performance counted for 30% of the grade and Student Progress counted for 55% — in 2008, Student Performance counted for 25% and Student Progress counted for 60%. So, the importance placed on performance from year to year has gained even more undue influence on the grade.

R.A.L. Companies & Affiliates is expected to buy the former Hotel Bossert at 98 Montague Street for $92 million and turn it into student housing, according to Robert Levine, president and CEO of R.A.L. Companies & Affiliates.
“It’s pretty much a done deal,” he said, adding that he expects to close on the sale by the end of the month.

The hotel, once known as the Waldorf-Astoria of Brooklyn, will now suffer the same fate as its cousin, the St. George.

Robert Levine made this amusing statement about the deal:

“It is truly a beautiful landmark building,” Levine said. He said his company intends to renovate the interior of the 140,000-square-foot building and turn it into student housing. R.A.L. would then sell or lease the building to a university.

I’m trying to picture the Waldorf-Astoria draped in purple and white. Seriously, can you see this lobby as a dorm hall?

The most competitive primary race for Brooklyn Heights will be the Democratic primary for the 25th NY state senate district seat between 30-year incumbent senator Martin “Marty” Connor and Daniel “Kid” Squadron.

You can read more about the race by browsing through the Brooklyn Heights Blog Election ’08 archives. And Homer Fink interviewed both candidates, listen here: Martin Connor, Daniel Squadron.

The other race to watch is the Democratic primary for the 10th Congressional District, where incumbent Ed Towns faces former Real World star Kevin Powell. We here at BHB haven’t devoted much time to this race, but you can read more about it on the Gotham Gazette website. Also, let me add that Ed Towns is insane.

More photos…

Connor, in a telephone interview, rejected Squadron’s allegations as “nonsense,” insisting he received no special treatment in the purchases. BPC, he insisted, only manages the property and was not involved in the sale of the units.

Connor said he moved to the Brooklyn Heights building in 1977, taking a four-room, rent-stabilized apartment. Years later, he said, the building’s owners decided to convert it to a co-op.

Connor said he didn’t originally want to buy the apartment, but changed his mind a few years after the co-op market collapsed and prices came down. Three years later, he bought the second apartment.

Coincidentally, they were managed by BPC Management, a company with close ties to Martin Connor. How close? Well:

Connor said Doug Rosenberg, who runs BPC, is a friend and lets his campaign use a desk “in the corner” of one of his offices. The space is listed as an “in-kind” contribution on Connor’s financial disclosure statement.

A property management company could possibly be involved in the sale of a property if they were sponsored units. So the question is: Did Martin Connor really get that sweet of a deal for that time period? Can any long-time Brooklyn Heights residents out there speak to this?

A tipster sent us this photo of a sign posted at the corner of Cranberry Street and Hicks Street. There doesn’t appear any attribution on it, and the tipster noted with sarcasm that it’s “professional looking”.
So, be warned: Cranberry Street will be closed next Wednesday from 9am to 3pm, for unknown reasons.

Any readers out there know what this is about?

8:26pm: Connor to Squadron: Trustafarian!

8:29pm: moderator bitchslaps connor for getting too personal. and I mean, really too personal. the audience started booing and hissing.

8:29pm: Connor to Squadron: Open your books! Who’s funding your existence?

8:32pm: Squadron not getting personal with Connor, won’t ask him about his Jeep Grand Cherokee paid for by campaign funds.

8:35pm: Connor supporters getting cranky, want Squadron off their lawn

8:37pm: Connor: I’m a maverick

8:38pm: Connor doesn’t kowtow to the tobacco industry. he wants everyone to know that.

8:40pm: Audience questions!
clearly, the audience is mostly Squadron supporters now. Connor supporters went home to watch rudy giuliani speak at the republican convention.

8:44pm: uh oh. someone asked squadron about eminent domain in atlantic yards. He doesn’t think it was used appropriately.

8:46pm: Connor looks tired. I think all that venom spewing earlier on really tuckered him out

8:49pm: whenever Squadron speaks, an old person starts to leak….sounds like hissing…

8:50pm: congestion pricing again…connor shows letter from april thanking him for supporting it yet no postmark,,,hmmm

8:54pm: Squadron: I am for congestion pricing, I was always for congestion pricing, and I always will be for congestion pricing

8:57pm: both Squadron and Connor love gay and lesbian people

8:59pm: Closing statements! finally…
Squadron: Change! Change! Change!
Connor: Experience! Experience! Experience! Can I go to the bathroom now?

9:05pm: Connor really, really hates Schumer.

9:07pm: Its over! wow, that was long

Update: Brookyn Paper recap of debate

BHB is here at the St. Francis College Auditorium, awaiting what is sure to be a most riveting display of oratorical prowess.

So far, the auditorium is PACKED…with empty seats. Come on down!

6:59pm: auditorium filling up nicely. Note to St. Francis College: Free your WiFi, Free Your Mind

7:05pm: and the debate is on! your moderator, Dick Dady.

7:09pm: there will be audience participation! You can ask a question, but you must write it on a piece a paper, presumably in crayon.

7:14pm: Connor’s opening remarks. Trip down “memory lane”. Joe Franklin nowhere in sight. Blaming his record on Republican domination of the senate.

7:18pm: Squadron’s opening remarks. He’s young! He’s motivated! He sounds a bit like Kermit!

7:33pm: Connor brought his people tonight. Audience seems to be in favor of him. One Connor supporter is knitting her way through the issues.

Connor talking about what he knows best: election law and ballot access

7:35pm: Squadron just gave connor some chin music

7:37pm: Connor: I am shocked, SHOCKED you would think I kicked anyone off the ballot as an election lawyer

7:42pm: Wow, Connor on the defensive. Getting angry over voting against the smoking ban. Breathe, connor, breathe.
and he’s completely ignoring the question about voting against commuter tax.

7:47pm: Connor blaming commuter tax demise on Giuliani

7:52pm: Squadron defending his brooklyn bridge park position. Doesn’t want to stop the park, just the condos. And the crowd goes wild!

7:56pm: Connor: I got the funds for the park, me, me,me! And the crowd goes wild!

7:51pm: knitting lady update: she’s almost done. I think its a scarf.

8:05pm: talking about education. Really, these guys are on the same side. Connor taking shots at Squadron.

8:09pm: Oh, this is rich…Connor accusing Squadron of using too many posters and leaving around too much trash

Connor to Squadron: get off my lawn!

The report, which investigates the muddy world of New York State campaign financing, highlighted Senator Martin Connor for stretching “the definition of ‘campaign expense’ beyond any reasonable limit”:

The single largest expense was the car itself, purchased for $34,582.08. The Senator also spent a total of $11,966 to park his car at a garage located over two miles from his district office in Manhattan but just one block from his Brooklyn residence. The third largest expense was car insurance from Allstate, costing a total of $11,763. Connor also spent $8,558 on repairs and maintenance, including a $5,422 repair in July 2004, just one year from the purchase date. Rounding out the carrelated expense list was $2,773 for miscellaneous “car expense” reimbursements made directly to the Senator; $1,999 spent on gasoline reimbursements; $150 to register the car; and $45 for a AAA membership.

This represented 35% of his campaign expenses during a time period where he had no opponents in the primary or the general election.

Mr. Connor is no stranger to such “creative accounting” it seems: In the late 80s he was under investigation for payroll abuses, including “no-show” jobs and using employees for full-time campaign work.

Tune in to the Homer Fink Radio Show this Friday, August 15th, at 4pm, when Homer’s guest will be state senator Martin Connor.

A tipster informed us that a criminal case against Domgjoni doesn’t appear within the NYS criminal court database, but there is a civil case, Domgjoni v. Ghorchian, index number 001356/2007, filed on 1/29/2007. A court appearance is scheduled for 8/7/2008 for a motion by the plaintiff to “Vacate Stay”, (concluding the arbitration, see update below).

So what’s going on? We haven’t been able to reach anyone involved with the case yet, but I’m sure we’ll be receiving an update soon enough.

UPDATE: After speaking with Domgjoni’s attorney, the case went into arbitration a while ago, with Domgjoni being awarded an undisclosed amount of money. So consider Mikel Domgjoni vindicated.

The Brooklyn Eagle is reporting that a 42 year old man was found dead in his apartment at 166 Hicks Street between Clark and Pierrepont.  Reportedly stabbed to death in his bathtub see update 2 below.  We’ve received reports that Hicks Street around Clark Street has been cordoned off by the police as they investigate the crime.

Update: NYPD is on the scene.  Current word is that authorities have not determined if the death was a murder or suicide.

Update 2 from BHB’s Weegee: The police have identified the victim as Graham Barnett, 42, of 166 Hicks Street. He was pronounced dead by EMS at 4:15 p.m., and was found to have multiple stab wounds to the torso. Cops recovered knives at the scene, and do not suspect criminality. Barnett’s wife was being questioned at the 84th Precinct.

Update 3: The NY Sun is the first paper with a blurb, reiterating weegee’s report that the police do not suspect criminality:

Mr. Barnett was married with two young twin girls, according to a neighbor who has lived in the community for the past 30 years.

BHB Photo by Marc Hermann

Did anyone else receive a “non-partisan” canvassing call from his office this weekend? They wouldn’t identify themselves as such, but when I mentioned in response to a question that no one from the Squadron campaign had knocked on my door, the woman stated “they’ve been doing a lot of that recently”.

This smells like Push Polling, when a political campaign or an organization supporting a political campaign, conducts a “poll” under the guise of legitimate research to influence the voters’ opinion. Has anyone else received this type of phone call?

Update: We asked Allie Nigolian, spokesperson for GOP candidate John Chromczak, if this was the work of their campaign.  She responds via email: “No, our campaign is not conducting push polls. If in fact “The Institution” himself, Martin Connor, is having to conduct such polls it is a sure sign of desperation, maybe he is realizing what we all know is true – his time is up.” (HF)

Update 2: We’ve contacted both Connor and Squadron camps, neither have responded as of Wednesday (8/6) morning. (HF)

UPDATE: Sadly, it appears now that the Wine Bar at 50 Henry Street, the best by far of the lot, has closed, according to the Brooklyn Eagle.

With news that three four of the four “Corner of Cranberry” businesses have been shuttered (looks like the liquor license for the 60 Henry businesses expires tomorrow), we’re wondering what’s next for the seemingly accursed location. What will Ghorchian and Young, Brooklyn Heights’ very own wannabe Drew Nieporents and once rulers of what Gothamist called an “Empire of Feh”,  launch next? A Cigar Bar? Bring back Food Maestro? We’re hoping the Wine Bar remains, since it is really a lovely place.

It’s worth noting that trouble seems to follow Mr. Ghorchian and Mr. Young’s ventures like a bad smell. In addition to the various “Corner of Cranberry” debacles, Mr. Ghorchian was involved with Mike’s Kosher Steakhouse, which closed shortly after Mikel Domgjoni was arrested for allegedly forcing himself on an 18-year-old waitress (whatever happened to that story?). They were both involved with failed enterprises at 111 Court Street before it was Busy Chef (Cafe 111, liquor license) and at 311Henry Street before it was Tazza (Cafe del Mar, liquor license). And Mr. Young was involved in a botched, complicated scheme to open casinos on land in upstate New York supposedly held by a Native American tribe not recognized by the federal government (Young was cleared of all charges).

We applaud their tenacity, but maybe it’s time to allow some new blood in the Heights food scene.

Note: According to the Alcohol, Beverage, and Control Laws, Article 8, Section 106:

Provisions   governing   licensees   to   sell  at  retail  for consumption on the  premises.  1.  No  retail  license  for  on-premises consumption  shall  be  granted  for  any premises, unless the applicant shall be the owner thereof, or shall be in possession of  said  premises under  a  lease, in writing, for a term not less than the license period except, however, that such license may thereafter be renewed without the requirement of a lease as herein provided.

In April 2008, Dime opened its 22nd branch in the Borough Park community of Brooklyn, New York, and anticipates opening its 23rd branch by the end of 2008, located on Montague Street in Brooklyn Heights. At June 30, 2008, the Borough Park branch had $56.6 million of deposits at an average cost of 3.85%.

And according to the Dime Savings Bank website, the new branch will be located at 188 Montague Street.