This Week In Brooklyn: Concrete Examples of a Changing Borough
In an illustrative example of how much our city’s economic priorities have changed, a high capital industrial project in Red Hook that would be built on unused, unowned land is facing strong opposition from the community. The site of the proposed US Concrete factory, which would stand on what is now a vacant lot next to IKEA, was chosen for its easy access to the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel and the Gowanus Canal. The proposal is taking flack for having the potential to increase noise pollution, congest traffic and cause health problems for people in Red Hook Park and Added Value, Red Hook’s community farm. For now, no legal action is being taken or threatened on the matter, and Councilwoman Sara Gonzalez has made fairly clear she supports the project when she opened a meeting on the subject by saying "This is not about ganging up on US Concrete."
Concrete Plant Plan is a Real Red Hook Dust-Up [Brooklyn Paper]
The newest development in the case of Shem Walker, a Canarsie man who was shot dead on his stoop by an undercover cop is the effect that it may have on the NYPD’s method of handling accusations of misconduct. Bill de Blasio, candidate for public advocate, is publicly calling for increased funding for the civilian complaint review board, which has already been cut by over $2 million in the 2010 budget, which Mr. de Blasio voted for earlier this year.
De Blasio: Reform Police Review Board [New York Times - The Local]
Turning to condos, it turns out that the young trendsetters that made up the first wave of gentrification in Williamsburg and Greenpoint have taken a break from loudly decrying the influx of high-rise condos and are now starting to buy into them, as they become more affordable (like iPhones!). An Observer story on the subject quotes residents of the area, like Dale Hrabi, saying, "I have a deeply rooted dislike of expedient, cookie-cutter, pseudo-luxury condo developments and would almost rather blow money renting something ‘real’ with history, a story, the possibility that some woman once gave birth in my bedroom with or without a midwife or a lesbian couple had V-Day sex in the bathroom," before admitting that a condo makes more financial sense for him.
Condo Shame: Hipsters Hear Siren Song of Shiny, Well-Priced Apartments [The Observer]
In related news, ownership of the Forte high rise in southern Fort Greene has reverted to its lender, Eurohypo, from its developers, the Clarrett Group and Goldman Sachs. This will likely mean steep price cuts of the kind that can help the previously mentioned Mr. Hrabi overcome his reservations. Prior to Clarrett’s decision to cut their losses, they were receiving offers of $350 per square foot, approximately half of the $681 price tag they initially put on it.
Goldman Sachs’ Brooklyn Condo Bet Sours [Crain's]
Finally, the popular indie rock venue The Knitting Factory has announced that it will open its Williamsburg location on September 9 with a performance from Brooklyn natives Les Savy Fav. The Knitting Factory closed its TriBeCa flagship this December, despite its continued popularity and three other locations in Washington, Idaho and L.A. Thanks to Manhattan real estate prices, that location is now a wine bar. Welcome to Brooklyn!
Knitting Factory Sets September Opening for Brooklyn Location [New York Times - Arts Beat]
