We only picked 208 N. 10th Street as an address in order to nail one down for this building project, which actually takes in a big part of the block between Driggs, Roebling, N. 9th and N. 10th Streets in Williamsburg. In all fairness, there was no demolition going on when we took the photo of the messed up fence, but our experience has been that this kind of crud can be indicative of more to come in the future.

Newtown Creek, Greenpoint, Brooklyn

Want to help some our best friends? Then head out to the Waggytail Rescue Benefit. It’s taking place on Sunday, August 12 from 6PM-9PM at Moonshine, which is located at 317 Columbia Street in Red Hook. The suggested minimum donation is $10 an in return you get veggie dog and burger, plus fixings and sides and dessert. There will also be a raffle, live entertainment, beer and some adoptable dogs in need of a home. Proceeds go to benefit waggytailrescue.org. Lend a hand.

Here’s an interesting specimen that we came across on Kent Avenue in Williamsburg parked in front of East River State Park. For those of you wondering, it’s a Ford Futura. You simply don’t get the chance to see a Futura very often.

Our on-and-0ff series of historic Brooklyn photos called Brooklyn Back in the Day is definitely on again. Here’s a view of Prospect Park West shot in 1947 from the Brooklyn Public Library’s online photo collection. What’s interesting about this photo is how little the view has changed. In fact, about the only thing that’s different today is that the trolley tracks in this picture are gone.

We got an email about upcoming shows on the BCAT series, Neighborhood Beat, and they’re quite interesting, so we figured we’d post the info here for your community access TV viewing pleasure. There are episodes on Bed-Stuy, Bay Ridge, Williamsburg & Greenpoint and Boerum Hill-Cobble Hill-Carroll Gardens. Enjoy:

Neighborhood Beat: The Bed-Stuy Parlor
Wednesday, August 15 at 12:30 & 8:30pm;
Monday, August 27 at 12:30pm & 8:30pm;
Tuesday, August 28 at 12:30pm & 8:30pm;
and Thursday, September 6 at 12:30pm

In this edition, Neighborhood Beat explores some of Bed-Stuy’s hottest new eateries. We grab a cup of joe and fresh croissants at Common Ground, the newest addition to Tompkins Avenue; stop by the trendy spot Bush Baby for coffee and exotic specials like the Moroccan chicken wrap; snack on some healthy fare at Melanie’s Juice Bar, Restaurant and Bakery; visit Food 4 Thought, where you can ingest live music and poetry along with your meal; and finally swing by Focaccino, a Times Square-themed café, specializing in specialty coffees and brick oven pizza.

Neighborhood Beat: The View from Bay Ridge
Premiere: Tuesday, August 14 at 8:30pm
Encore Presentations: Wednesday, August 22 at 12:30 & 8:30pm;
Friday, August 24 at 12:30pm;
Monday, September 3 at 12:30pm & 8:30pm;
and Tuesday, September 11 at 12:30pm

This month, Neighborhood Beat visits some of Bay Ridge’s finest restaurants. We snag a sumptuous bite of Lebanese fare at Le Sajj, where authentic bread is homemade on the premises; grab a savory slice at Goodfellas; feast on traditionally hearty German food at Schnitzel Haus; and finally dine on some Greek American delicacies at iconic Yiannis on Fourth Avenue.

Neighborhood Beat: Williamsburg/Greenpoint
Premiere: Thursday, August 16 at 8:30pm
Encore Presentations: Wednesday, September 5 at 12:30pm & 8:30pm;
Friday, September 7 at 12:30pm;
Thursday, September 13 at 12:30pm & 8:30pm;
Tuesday, September 18 at 12:30pm

In this month’s edition, we’ll explore the art-centric culture of Williamsburg and Greenpoint. We visit Figure Works gallery, where the human form is paramount; hang with legendary community artist Lorenzo Pace, best known for conceptualizing the African American Burial Ground memorial; see the ice shards fly as Henry Wallace of Empire Ice Carving gives us a dynamic demo; and finally chat with avant-garde Williamsburg artist Paul Richard.

Neighborhood Beat Special
Premiere: Tuesday, August 21 at 8:30pm
Encore Presentations: Friday, July 6 at 12:30pm & 8:30pm;
Thursday, July 12 at 12:30pm & 8:30pm;
and Tuesday, July 17 at 12:30pm

Satisfy your sweet tooth as we traverse the borough for the ultimate sweet spots! We’ll sample goodies at One Girl Cookie in Boerum Hill; learn how to assemble a triple berry butter crème cake with Shannon Pridgen of Heavenly Crumbs in Bed-Stuy; witness the making of organic baked goods at Cheeks Bakery in Williamsburg; visit Bay Ridge for tasty treats at the Little Cupcake Shop and experience the creation of an original Brooklyn egg cream at Anopoli.

Neighborhood Beat: BoCoCa
featuring the neighborhoods of Boerum Hill, Cobble Hill, and Carroll Gardens
Premiere: Thursday, August 23 at 8:30pm
Encore Presentations: Wednesday, September 12 at 12:30pm & 8:30pm;
Monday, September 17 at 12:30pm & 8:30pm;
Friday, September 21 at 12:30pm & 8:30pm;
and Thursday, September 27 at 12:30pm

Bococa is full of great places to chow down. This month we visit four of our favorites: Porchetta, featuring Italian pork dishes with a twist; Alma, a Mexican inspired restaurant worth the visit for its great food and rooftop deck; Marco Polo, an old favorite on Court Street known for their pasta dishes; and Petite Crevette, specializing in French cuisine.

There you have it.

Perhaps you recall the case of 18-20 Jackson Place. We posted about the problem and safety issues back in May, which is why we say “finally” in the headline. Well, there’s no need to worry about the building or the slow response by city officials. As you may know, it partially collapsed yesterday. Here’s some of the email we got from Concerned Citizens of Greenwood Heights, which helped spread news of the serious safety issues and structural problems back in May:

Just got back from 18-20 Jackson Place, Scene of the 3/4 collapsed building. No need for back history at the moment, other than a derelict owner/developer who has left the building open to the elements for over a year, adjacent neighbors having to deal with damage and quality of life issues and a slow response in action (once they were made aware of the situation)…Andrew (at 22 Jackson Pl) and his neighbors said there was a huge “BOOM” (Andrew was in his basement), then it looked like 9-11 with all the dust, could not see a thing…then the dust cleared and whoa nelly!

Just got a call from the scene, DOB has issued a “vacate order” of 22 Jackson Pl. (they are allowing the family back in to get their belongings). Luckily Andrew, his wife and young child were not hurt, but now must pack up and find a place while DOB deems whether the demolition of 18-20 Jackson Pl. is immediate in the next 24 hrs or where further protection and remediation need to take place before a safe demo can be done…

Let’s remember one thing folks: this not a case of an unsafe collapse due to some bad weather. This site has been a mess for years. In my personal opinion, criminal prosecution, if in order, should be filed against the owner.

Hopefully the rest of the structure will not collapse.

Which only goes to show that the Brooklyn land rush of the early 2000s can be just as effective as, well, a tornado.

Related Post:
Another South Slope Disaster Area

As we noted yesterday, via Porkchop Express, the Department of Health is after the Red Hook vendors over technical issues. If they’re not resolved they could be shut down in 10 days. Vendor Committee chair Cesar Fuentes met with officials yesterday. Porkchop follows up with the conditions that have been given to the vendors. Porkchop reports:

the Food Vendors of Red Hook Park have about 10 days to “be compliant” with the DOH’s “major concerns.” By Sunday August 19th they must:

• store more ice in coolers
• acquire portable hand washers/sanitation units
• wear sterile gloves and change said gloves regularly
• have a source of running water to wash hands, tacos, etc.
• rent commercial grade kitchens to prep food, or prepare everything on-site

Most significantly, The Powers That Be want everyone who works at a stand to be licensed. Anyone associated with a tent – from corn shuckers to pupusa stuffers – must undergo a training session to obtain a mobile food vending license. At present, only 12 tent operators are licensed; this number will (must) more than quadruple.

I can’t honestly say this all makes sense. And as Carolina Salguero, Director of PortSide NewYork put it: “makes me wonder how RH ballfields food differs from all the Halal/hot dog street carts [which] have no plumbing. Something odd here…”

The vendors have ten days to comply. It’s also worth noting that the competitive bidding process for the long-term permit to operate in the park–the Parks Department action that provoked a great deal of opposition–is moving forward. Perhaps it’s time for Sen. Charles Schumer and others to reason with city officials again.

It’s been a while since we visited that building right up against the Gowanus Expressway that been going up at the end of Court Street. It looks like progress on the building has been slow, at least, compared to some buildings. We’re pleased to report, however, that the bricks are now on the building and the views of the passing trucks are as awesome as ever.

Progress has been slow on 518 Meeker Avenue, which we’ve dubbed the BQE Rock Wall Building, because of the stone wall you see that reminds us of, well, a rock climbing wall. Perhaps you’ve taken in its splendor while stuck in traffic. Whenever its completed, there will be superb views of the traffic from the upper floors. The six-story building comes from…drum roll…the studio of Scarano Architects.

Guest blogger Krista Garcia of Project Me!, the wonderful food blog that features both great items on restaurants and recipes, was kind enough to file a report on the movement of Park Slope-style eateries into the blocks to the south. Check it out:

In the early twenty-first century I inhabited Brooklyn’s barren wasteland in the 30s, cemetery to the east, federal prison and porn shops to the west. Call it Greenwood Heights if you will (I wouldn’t). Sunset Park North, even. South Slope, not so much. Chinese take-out, Mobil’s On the Run and White Castle were about as good as it got culinarily. I quickly gave up on any scant Park Slope goodness ever creeping downward.

At the time I had a boss who lived on Eighth Street . And despite being younger than me, she reminded me of an intolerable mom consumed with repetitive, clueless questioning. She had a fondness for asking, “So, are there any restaurants in your neighborhood yet?” “No, dumb ass, same as the last time you asked me.” I tried repressing my surliness but was eventually fired anyway (in part for writing about her on the internet. C’mon, what kind of freak freely admits to calling a carbohydrate addicts hotline and doesn’t expect ridicule?).

Now, it appears that I’d finally have a fresh answer for this woman. In the past couple of months the teens and 20s have received plenty of Park Slope spillover (and it seems that all new storefronts must have three long-necked lamps over the awning). I couldn’t have waited five years for wine bars and sushi. Yet gentrification is still slow going in certain pockets. My former underdeveloped 30s? White Castle remains the only bright spot.

Has anyone visited these newcomers or have any dirt on the burgeoning scene south of the Prospect Expressway?

· Sidecar: 560 Fifth Avenue , between 15th and 16th streets.
· Vin Rouge: 629 Fifth Avenue , between 17th and 18th streets.
· Quarter, Fifth Avenue , just below 20th Street.
· Sushi will be replacing Coffee Shack on Fifth Avenue (photo below), right next to Vin Rouge.
· Brick oven pizza (photo above) is rumored for the NW corner of Sixth Avenue and 21st Street.

[Photo courtesy of monika_ny/flickr]

The first twister known to hit Brooklyn in recent times (since one that may have hit in 1889) touched down at 6:30AM yesterday in Bay Ridge. It was an EF-2, with winds of 111-135 MPH. It did tens of millions in damage, according to early estimates. Here are some links to coverage and photos:

After the Tornado in Brooklyn [7Online]
It Was a Tornado, All Right [NYT]
Storms Cause NYC Commuting Hell [NYP]
A Sudden Storm Brings New York to Its Knees [NYT]
Brooklyn Cyclone [WNBC]
A Brooklyn Cyclone? [Daily Intel]
National Weather Svc. Confirms Tornado Touched Down in Brooklyn [NY1]
Tornado Did Touch Down in Brooklyn [Gothamist]
Brooklyn Tornado Storm Track Map [Right in Bay Ridge]
The Day After Yesterday in Bay Ridge [Right in Bay Ridge]
Tracking the Path of Brooklyn’s Twister [McBrooklyn]
450 Photos Tagged “Brooklyn” and “Storm” [flickr]
614 Photos Tagged “Brooklyn” and “Tornado” [flickr]

Brit in Brooklyn is one of our favorite Brooklyn blogs. It’s heavy on great photos and focuses extensively on Prospect Heights, Coney Island and the so-called Atlantic Yards footprint. Produced by Adrian Kinloch, Brit in Brooklyn generally features one to three posts a day. Its producer has a very keen eye and we love both his attention to detail and his photos. The blog modestly self-describes itself as “British graphic designer lands in Brooklyn, rides round on his push-bike and takes pictures. Mr. Kinloch has also created another blog called Only Coney, which focuses on Coney Island photos, although it hasn’t been terribly active of late.

[Photo courtesy of view-askew/flickr]

Local filmmaker and photographer Nathan Kensinger is premiering his latest work–a project with longtime filmmaking partner Meghan O’Hara–in Red Hook on Saturday along with a retrospective of other films they have created. The screening is from 2PM-4:30PM on Saturday (8/11) and will take place at 499 Van Brunt Street, which is the beautiful Civil War era building across from the Red Hook Fairway where BWAC holds its art shows. The new film will be screened at 4PM. It’s a short about Manhattan’s Freedom Tunnel, which runs underneath Riverside Park, an active train tunnel that was formerly an underground homeless city. The other films include “Sold” (30 minutes, 2001), about the death of San Francisco’s newspapers and “A Very Complicated Lock” (15 minutes, 2001), an exploration of locks and locksmiths. You can check out Nate’s Kensinger Films myspace page here.

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

• Unstable at 255 Fourth Avenue? [Brownstoner]
• Atlantic Yards Carve Out Shrinks [AYR]
• Ratner Clause is Coming to Town [No Land Grab]
• The Consulting Firm Everyone Calls [NYO]
• Bed-Stuy Block is Greenest [Bed-Stuy Blog]
• Controversial Brooklyn Ghibran Academy’s Plans [NYP]
• Daily News Trolls Blogs [Brooklyn 11211]
• City Continues Evil Persecution of Red Hook Vendors [Lost City]
• BARC Gets Haile Selassie Adopted [newyorkshitty]

Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Dumbo, Brooklyn

[Photo courtesy of AngryCitizen.org/flickr]

A number of photos of damage produced by that early morning storm that slammed the city and produced its heaviest damage in Brooklyn and, particularly, in Sunset Park, Flatbush and Bay Ridge, are being posted on flickr. There are 93 pics up so far and far more to come. You can check out a full set here. It’s being called a “tornado-like storm” and an Office of Emergency Management command center has been set up in Sunset Park. By the way, you can check the MTA’s service alerts page here for the latest subway status updates. Commuting horror stories abound, but worse is the serious damage around Brooklyn.

[Photo courtesy of Mister Shu/flickr]


[Photo courtesy of JGNY/flickr]

Are the Red Hook vendors newly threatened by yet another situation? Could be. Porkchop Express reports on a new “situation” at the Red Hook Ball Fields involving the Health Department. Here’s the detail:

Last Friday at approximately 4:30 pm, Food Committee Executive Director Cesar Fuentes discovered that the Department of Health was going to institute a flash, somewhat surreptitious inspection of the Soccer Field Food Stands at noon on Saturday. The implication: if things were not up to snuff, the fields would be shut down.

Councilwoman Sara Gonzalez was alerted. She immediately called the Mayor’s office, and arrived to monitor the inspection in-person. In so doing, she defused a potentially big bomb. Rather than threatening closure, the DOH simply offered a list of “suggestions.”

Foremost amongst these: no running water at the fields. So today (Tuesday) at 5:15 pm, Cesar was contacted about a “big” meeting Wednesday with the Deputy Commissioner of Health. Pressure has intensified, City Officials are again flexing muscle, and the implied bottom-line is rough. Worst-case scenario, the Vendors will have to shut down operations stat to comply with DOH mandates. But we wont know anything until tomorrow afternoon…

No running water at outdoor food stands at ball fields. It doesn’t end.

The reason we ended up shooting some video of Sunday work at 525 Union Avenue the other day was the tagging you see above. We noticed it while whizzing past on the BQE (which offers a dramatic and complete view of the art work that you can’t get from street level) and stopped on Union Ave. to photograph it. All we can say is that the brick on the side of the building hasn’t been up for long and the Williamsburg spray paint crew has already been hard at work making sure that it blends with the rest of the environment as best a tall, new building can.

Related Post:
Williamsburg’s Giglio Church Building Still Very Busy on Sunday

It would be hard to overstate the weirdness that has characterized the Coney Island redevelopment discussion thus far, and particularly hard to overemphasize its bizarre nature during the last week. As for the latest developments, yesterday, Bloomberg reported that most of the Astroland rides that had been put up for auction by former owner Carol Albert have been taken down. The story quotes someone at Rides-4-U Inc. saying “The seller has decided that they can’t sell at this time because everything is too up in the air.” Meanwhile, the New York Post reported yesterday that some sort of deal may be in the works to swap Mr. Sitt’s parcels in the amusement district for the parking lot next to KeySpan Park and the Abe Stark Ice Rink. The city would then sell or lease Mr. Sitt’s holdings to an amusement operator. We suspect, however, that it is just one more shot fired in the ongoing very public negotiations between Thor Equities and the city.

We’re going to be featuring posts from some guest bloggers that have been kind enough to submit some cool material over the next couple of weeks. GL is very excited to do so and securing contributions from other Brooklyn bloggers is something we’ve wanted to do for a long time. We’re honored to have The Changeling from the wonderful Bed-Stuy Blog. Here’s their post on the Marcy Public Market.

This simple squat building on the corner of Marcy and Vernon at first glance looks like a million other brick buildings in Brooklyn. Even the diamond ornament doesn’’t seem like anything special. The waves of brown, white and beige bricks along the upper section of the building suggest that this building has seen better days. What’’s interesting about the building is that it was once the home of the Marcy Public Market. While it was hard to find any information on what this place once was, the length of time it existed or even when it closed, it was probably a farmer’s market of some sort. It is now home to a ironworks business.

Historic public market buildings that have fallen into disrepair and/or reconfigured for other uses could be restored. Their restoration would cultivate social connectedness among community members, support local vendors and provide fresh produce for area residents. Wouldn’’t it be nice to turn this site into full-time year-round public market or farmer’s market?GL always welcomes your tips and contributions. You can get in touch with us at thegowanuslounge (at) gmail (dot) com.

Ikea’s big blue exterior wall has rounded the bend and is in the home stretch. The familiar blue wall, which was on the east side of the building is now on the north side along Beard Street, which is the one that most people going to Red Hook see. The big blue presence should make itself fully felt in a matter of weeks. While the building is massive, what will be the equivalent of a full block or more of parking is hidden behind the site’s blue fence. That parking includes the historic graving dock that the Swedish multinational filled in because a multi-level parking garage that would have saved the dock was rejected.

This sign was attacked and altered a long, long time ago. It resides on a fence in front of some New York City Transit property on N. 6th Street in Williamsburg. It’s got a certain something having to do with the many layers of destruction represented.

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

• Brooklyn Blogs, Atlantic Yards and Class [AYR]
• Deal Reached on 421-a Developer Tax Break [NYT]
• Much Bacteria at Some NYC Beaches [City Room]
• Coney Circus Attendance Lower Than Anticipated [Kinetic Carnival]
• Now, Manhattan Beach Wants to Ban Barbecues [GerritsenBeach.Net]
• Pearl Street Triangle Unveiling Press Conference [Dumbo NYC]
• 40 Story Son of Oro [Brownstoner]
• Emotions Flaring Over Red Hook Ikea [NYDN]
• It Came from the Blogosphere [No Land Grab]
• Kensington Building Sites and Blogs [Kensington Brooklyn]
• Burglars Busted [163 Ocean]
• Ornamental Frenzy [Big Sky Brooklyn]
• National Night Out on Maple Street [Across the Park]