“The deal does nothing to counter the notion that DOB (or at least the Brooklyn office) exists to protect developers, contractors and architects, rather than to regulate construction and enforce zoning rules.”–Brooklyn 11211

Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn
[Photo courtesy of a special GL friend]

There are more developments in the long, tortured case of Williamsburg’s infamous Finger Building, the rusting steel hulk that has loomed over N. 7th and N. 8th Streets for more than two years. The obscure, but powerful, Bureau of Standards and Appeals (BSA) ruled yesterday that the permit for a ten-story Finger (aka 144 N 8th Street) is valid and the developer Mendel Brach can resume construction. The original permit was for a 16-story building, but a judge ruled in February that the developer did not have the right to use rooftop space at 115 Berry and 138 North 8th Street, as reflected in the plans. A final decision in that case is pending. If the courts rule in favor of the developer, the Finger could still rise to 16 stories. If the final decision goes against the developer, then opponents argue that the entire permit for the building is invalid. (Except that the BSA decided yesterday it was valid.) For now, it looks like 10 stories is okay. Neighborhood activist Phil DePaolo, who has battled against the building writes:

Prior to the Williamsburg rezoning in May 2005, this developer worked through stop work orders as documented by the D.O.B., worked weekends without permits, and worked all hours of the night on weekdays, so that the development could be grandfathered under the old zoning regulations, allowing them to build a much larger building than would be allowed under the new zoning. Despite numerous complaints and plentiful documentation by neighbors, and news media, the D.O.B. rewarded this illegal activity and vested the project. The question still is, if by doing something improper, did the owners negate their vesting? And if they did, should the site have to comply with the new R6B zoning?

Developer Mendel Brach and architect Robert Scarano used land and air rights that they did not own in order to construct this building, so I believe the incomplete building must be made to conform to the new R6B zoning. Even if it stays at 10 stories it’s twice as large as the current R6B zoning allows. This ruling sends a clear message to any developer that they can break the rules and still get rewarded. This project is the poster child for bad development. But the fight is not over!

In the meantime, lifts have been removed from the building and it’s unclear when construction might resume.

In what could be good news for preservationists and bad news for advocates of tearing down the buildings on Brooklyn’s Admiral’s Row, a Federal study has found that the historic buildings still have “an extremely high level of integrity” and that they could be saved. The price tag, however, could be up to $20 million. The Daily News has an update:

The historic Admiral’s Row mansions are in better shape than they appear and could be saved, a federal study has found. A report commissioned by the National Guard – which owns the 10 buildings in the Brooklyn Navy Yard that housed naval officers and their families for nearly a century – found that eight are “structurally sound” and in no danger of collapsing.

“Admiral’s Row district retains an extremely high level of integrity,” stated the draft report, which was expected to be presented at a public hearing last night.

But renovating the homes would come with a high price tag, according to the report – an estimated $20 million.

Navy Yard officials, who want to tear down the houses and build a supermarket, were angry about the report’s findings – and immediately started playing hardball.

“If the federal government…requires that some or all of these structures be rebuilt from the ground up…neither the City of New York or the [Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corp.] are interested in acquiring and developing the site and it will continue to lay fallow for years to come,” wrote Navy Yard Development Corp. President Andrew Kimball yesterday in response to the report.

Even if the city retains ownership of the property, it cannot go against the final recommendations of the report, which are yet to come, National Guard officials said.

We will post updates later as they are available about last night’s meeting.

UPDATE: Brownstoner has a full report on the press conference before the meeting at which City Council Members Letitia James and David Yassky and Borough President Marty Markowitz all called for the demolition of the historic buildings, casting it in classic inner-city jobs versus costly preservation context. Mr. Brownstoner’s analysis is insightful and cuts to the heart of the matter.

Demolition permits to level Red Hook’s iconic Revere Dome were issued on December 6, 2006. A couple of days later, crews working for developer Joe Sitt and Thor Equities were on site starting prep work for the big tear down. The job continued through the winter, spring, summer and into the fall. (For those with demolition porn nostalgia, you can watch the Revere Dome diminish over the months by clicking here.) Now, a year later, almost nothing remains on the Revere site and work is still going on. A huge vacant plot of land sticking out into the water next to the blue-and-yellow Ikea, the Revere site is now ready for development or for sale as a cleared property. Critical, necessary zoning changes not included.

We know that parks, geese and the stuff that they leave behind are no strangers. Yet, upon entering East River State Park in Williamsburg we were rather stunned by the sheer volume of goose crap on the grounds. We don’t know if it’s more goose crap than we’ve ever seen in one place at one time, but it’s definitely up there. We’re talking one very crapped up park. We’d advise walking carefully, but there’s almost no way to walk without stepping in it. Perhaps our big feathered friends have moved on, however, as none were in evidence during our visit. There was just the, uh, evidence that they had been there in great numbers for an extended period of time.

Normally, we run a Missed Connection post from Craigslist on Sunday, but our Greenpoint correspondent sent this item our way from Wythe Avenue in Williamsburg. Michael, if you’re out there, do call.

In today’s “no kidding” moment, the New Jersey Nets have finally admitted that the Atlantic Yards arena won’t be ready for the 2009-2010 season. They’re now saying that the goal is to be in the venue sometime in 2010. Assuming, of course, that the way is legally cleared.–NYT

A special GL correspondent who has been responsible for many of the holiday images we’ve been sharing recently has supplied us with a lovely set of photos of wreaths around Cobble Hill and Brooklyn Heights. They make for a great little slide show, which is embedded below.

“According to a couple of sources, 7th street between 2nd and 3rd aves will soon be home to a new musical venue run by the good folks at union hall.” The moves seems to makes sense for a number of reasons, including noise complaints at their current location on Union Street.–Food of the Future

The Edge may be a huge hole in the ground with pile driving and other activity right now, but here’s a screen cap of its updated web page. The sales office at N. 6 and Kent Avenue in Williamsburg is opening in March and, by then, there should be loads of fascinating renderings and marketing pitches. For now, just this big rendering of the buildings that will be between Northside Piers and East River State Park.

Brooklinks is a daily selection of Brooklyn-related information and images.

• Another Karl Fischer at S. 4th and Bedford [Brownstoner]
• City Council Formally Approves Domino Landmarking [NYP]
• Thor Fences Back Up in Coney [Kinetic Carnival]
• Early Christmas at 1000 Manhattan in Greenpoint [New York Shitty]
• Grand Army Plaza Concept is “Brilliantly Obvious” [Streets Blog]
• New Flatbush Arts Online Group [Brooklyn Junction]
• Ah, Yes, Montague Street in 1905 [Pardon Me for Asking]
• Rep. Yvette Clarke Live “Tele Town Hall” Phone In Tonight [Kensington Brooklyn]
• Clinton Hill Paul Giamatti Sighting [Clinton Hill Blog]
• Subway Coming to PLG [Across the Park]
• 31 Washington St. Apt. on the Market [Dumbo NYC]
• Christmas Tree Shopping in Brooklyn [Pretty in the City]

Tonight (12/12), Coney Island historian Charles Denson will be doing a presentation about the “Genesis of the Coney Island History Project” at the American Folk Art Museum. (You can learn more about the Coney Island History Project by clicking here.) Mr. Denson, who is the author of Coney Island Lost and Found, “will discuss the fascinating changes Coney Island has undergone, from its extraordinary amusement park identity to its decline and to its survival. The event is at the American Folk Art Museum at 45 W. 53rd Street. Admission is $10 and $5 for members, students and seniors. The museum is located at 45 West 53rd Street.

Want to joint a Community Board (well, Community Board 6) Committee? Your time has arrived. We got an email from CB6 that it’s accepting applications for membership to its committees. Here’s the info:

It’s that time of year again when Brooklyn Community Board 6 (CB6) reconstitutes the composition of its standing committees. Although CB6 committee membership must be composed primarily of a majority of Board Members, membership is also open to Non-Board Members as well. This allows for broader, grassroots public representation on the Community Board’s standing committees, and encourages and facilitates citizen participation in local government within our communities. The Brooklyn CB6 district includes the neighborhoods of Carroll Gardens/South Brooklyn, Cobble Hill, Columbia Street District, Gowanus, Park Slope, and Red Hook.

Applications can be picked up at the CB6 office at 250 Baltic Street from Monday through Friday from 10AM-4PM or can be downloaded by clicking here. The committee appointments are for one-year terms and start February 1, 2008. Committees that are available include Economic/Waterfront Development, Parks/Recreation, Housing/Human Services, Public Safety/Environmental Protection, Landmarks/Land Use, Transportation and Youth Services/Education. The deadline for submitting applications is January 9.

Tomorrow (12/13) is Park Slope’s Snowflake Celebration, which is part of the Buy Local campaign. The list of participating merchants has grown to 150 and includes both shops, restaurants and cafes. Many are offering specials and special discounts. For the full list, click here. All the shops are staying open until 10PM and there will be entertainment and other attractions. The email we got from Rebeccah Welch, one of the event’s organizers, said in part, “To date, over 150 merchants are on board. Now all they need are the customers. Rain or shine, come out on Thursday to take advantage of the sales and show your support to this wonderful group of merchants and neighbors.”

Here is a nice list of creative gift ideas for men (but some for women too) that are related to Brooklyn, made in Brooklyn or sold by Brooklyn-based merchants. There will be a second part tomorrow.–Brooklyn-Based

Williamsburg, Brooklyn

It’s more of a listing of stores with great photos, but nonetheless, Atlantic Avenue Holiday Shopping & Restaurants is valuable for those looking to hit up the interesting area and its establishments. It’s being produced by the Atlantic Avenue Local Development Corp.–Atlantic Avenue Holiday Shopping & Restaurants

Coney Island, Brooklyn
[Photo courtesy of ConeyHOP/flickr and Kinetic Carnival]

There is a pillow fight club in Bushwick. “Mattresses make the ring, an announcer gets the crowds attention — mic in hand, and the regulation size pillows are held firmly in the contender’s hands. There are 16 guys and girls in all, fighting one-on-one until an elimination is made and one moves to the next round. At the end, the ‘Master of the Mattress’ is declared — and if there’s a tie, the audience decides.”–Gothamist

We got an email from the press office at the Department of Buildings responding to the controversy about the “stipulations” signed by Buildings Commissioner Patricia Lancaster concerning architect Robert Scarano. A Daily News article on Sunday detailed agreements the Building Commissioner signed as part of the arrangement that led to Mr. Scarano’s giving up of the right to “self-certify” his building plans last year. Among them was an agreement not to report any of Mr. Scarano’s alleged misdeeds to state regulators. We present the DOB response in full, at it makes a number of points about the issue:

The Daily News neglected crucial facts in its story on architect Robert Scarano’s removal from the Buildings Department’s Professional Certification Program. The article failed to include critical information, such as:

1. The State was already aware of Mr. Scarano’s misdeeds at the time of the stipulation;

2. The stipulation had no practical impact whatsoever on the State’s ability or interest to discipline Mr. Scarano;

3. The stipulation was used to expeditiously remove Mr. Scarano from the Professional Certification Program; and

4. A stipulation is akin to a plea bargain – it’s gets a professional out of the system immediately.

One has the feeling that this particular isn’t quite finished running its course.

[Left photo courtesy of nyc.gov, Right photo courtesy of The Real Deal]

The devpavingstoneification of Beard Street in Red Hook to make the drive smoother for the up to 50,000 a cars a week that will be coming to the neighborhood once Ikea opens next year, looks like its on schedule. Here’s a redone segment of the street, with new sidewalk and blacktop. Other cobblestone streets in the neighborhood will, presumably, survive.

Given that the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corp.’s president, Andrew Kimball, has already publicly stated a commitment to tearing down the historic buildings on Admiral’s Row (saying he doesn’t want the property with any conditions attached), tonight’s meeting about the buildings will be interesting. The city is planning to demolish the buildings to make way for a supermarket and parking lot while preservations are trying to save them. The meeting will take place today from 7 to 9 pm at PS 307, located at 209 York Street (2 blocks north and 1 block west of the Navy Yard). An Army Corp of Engineers consultant will present a formal report on the condition of the buildings. The estimated rehab cost is about $18 million. A variety of groups and activists from the community are expected to make a case to the Federal owners of the property that the historic buildings should be saved.

There’s more information about that yawning hole in Pacific Street between Nevins and Bond from a couple of Boerum Hill Yahoo Group emails. It is not pretty. First, this description:

It is like a demolition derby out there this morning. Cars that hit it full-on smash their front ends into the depression and wreck their rims. Until the street is closed and it is dug up all the way down to the city sewer main to fix whatever has happened, this demolition derby will continue.

And, then, this fascinating detail:

I counted 26 cars between 6am and 8am that almost certainly damaged their front end. Luckily no one hit any parked cars. I went down and put my last remaining traffic cone in the crater; within 10 minutes someone had taken it, just like the last time. Question; why do people steal traffic cones?

By 8:45 the Figliola truck was outside and they were shovelling loose roadway material into the crater. As if this will do anything. By tonight it will sink again and tomorrow will be another demolition derby.

The only redeeming value in this exercise is that the 3am speeders get a very, very rude surprise when they hit a 2 foot deep crater at 40 miles per hour. It almost worth it just to see them inspecting the damage to their cars. Perhaps they will drive more slowly in the future, after they spend $1,000 repairing their cars.

Sounds like a great situation.

Among the Brooklyn subway stations getting an overhaul soon, are a number along the Q & B Lines, starting with the Neck Road and Avenue U stops. The image above is of the Neck Road Station before and after the reconstruction. Services at the stops will be disrupted for several years. Second Avenue Sagas looks at the changes in depth and says, “Brooklyn sure is in for a rough ride.” GerritsenBeach.Net, which has also reported on the coming reconstruction, has taken a look and noted “The services changes will be drastic and will last many years.” They also provide an update on the plans here.