“Brooklyn Force” trailer from Adam Bertocci on Vimeo.

Star Wars meets Williamsburg development.

Well, that lawsuit has been filed against the reopening and expansion of the Brooklyn House of Detention. The headline on the press release is “Lawsuit: City Broke the Law, Avoided Scrutiny to Push Through Massive New Brooklyn Jail.” Officials claim the $440 million expansion has to go through a standard community land use review process and that the city is violating the law by trying to reopen the jail without public review.

The full press release after the jump.

Here’s a glimpse into the future ramen noodle emporium coming to Fourth Avenue and Degraw Street courtesy of GL’s E.C. Stephens. When Brownstoner originally broke news that the owners of Sheep Station would be opening it, they said they were shooting for November. Doesn’t look like they’re going to make the target, but it’s still going to be an exciting addition to the Fourth Avenue food scene. That’s the exterior below.

Just when you thought it was safe to walk the streets, look out! There are rats afoot! Ok, like we didn’t know that already. But, apparently those little suckers are multiplying (another fact we were already aware of), and they’re hanging out all over Brooklyn’s hot spots (go have some fun on the Health Dept. map)… but they ain’t bringing the rent costs down! — Daily News

It says so, right at the center of the known Williamsburg universe, the exit of the Bedford Avenue L Stop at N. 7 Street and Bedford Ave. Brooklyn Bowl in 2009.

This is an absolutely fascinating video. The person that made it took a camera out around Brooklyn and asked them “What is tragedy?” Check out the responses that different people give. It’s very cool.

We’ve already mentioned to you about Buy Brooklyn. Well, there seems to be another concept peaking the minds of our local government, and now have Shop Brooklyn to promote:

“Shop Brooklyn” is an awareness campaign highlighting the uniqueness of Brooklyn’s neighborhoods and thriving shopping corridors, re-introducing Brooklyn to Brooklynites, and inviting tourists and visitors to experience this cultural and shopping destination—not just during the holidays, but year-round. In addition to the holiday discounts being offered borough-wide, as part of the “Shop Brooklyn” campaign, many Brooklyn retailers, restaurants, bars, and other service providers will offer special “Brooklyn Bonuses” on November 28 (“Black Friday”—now renamed “Brooklyn Friday”) and each weekend from November 23 through December 21.

On this Wed (11/19), head down to the Fulton Mall and look out for a bunch of governmental type folks hanging out somewhere to promote the shopping season. (They have told us the precise location in the mall, so it sounds kinda like they want you to scavenge for them.)
— Vaduzuvunt

· Thieves posing as movers clear out apartment [NYP]
· Two Robbers Killed in Shootout at Nostrand Avenue Store [NYT]
· Whole Lot of Rats in Brooklyn [NYDN]
· Sicko Preying on Women at Starrett City [NYP]
· The Ugly Ass Buildings of Clinton Hill [New York Shitty]
· Council Members Support Gowanus Summit [Brownstoner]
· What Are the Big Idea in Coney? [Kinetic Carnival]
· House Still Stands After Many Years [Kensington Stories]
· Toy Swap in Bay Ridge [BVIB]

City Comptroller Bill Thompson and City Council Member David Yassky have filed papers in court asking a judge to block the reopening of the Brookyn House of Detention and are filing a lawsuit against the city arguing that plans for the $440 million expansion have to go through community, land use process under city and state law. They say the city already violated the law by re-opening the facility without public review. There’s a press event scheduled for 11:30AM today. Here’s some of the release that went out very early this morning:

The New York City government secretively and illegally re-populated and planned to massively expand its jail in Downtown Brooklyn despite deep concerns that the project is a waste of taxpayer money and would have a destructive effect on the local economy, according to a lawsuit by Comptroller William C. Thompson, Council Member David Yassky and public interest attorney Randy Mastro to be announced at 11:30 AM today.

Read the rest, right ahead.

The second part of the Roebling Oil Field development, well Warehouse 11, which is on the cleaned up former Roebling Oil property, is underway and the good old Empire pile driver is banging away on the property. The interesting thing is that it looks like they’re not digging down too far below grade for part two, although this could just be early work. If, they don’t, it won’t be the only building in the general area that hasn’t gone too deep and has pretty much laid a foundation barely below street level. It’s unclear what’s down there given the contamination that was uncovered when the original Roebling site was excavated a couple of years ago.

“We might as well call it ‘As the Coney Turns‘ and get it over with. This morning’s bombshell news from the Southern Brooklyn Riviera comes via the New York Post that the city “is in serious negotiations to buy 10.5 acres of real estate in Coney Island” belonging to developer Joe Sitt and the he is “ready to give up his” development plans for the amusement district. The news appears to come via Council Member Dominic Recchia who may have gotten the developer and the city to the bargaining table. He says that “God willing, we will get this done soon.” The city might cough up as much as $200-$250 million for the land, leaving Mr. Sitt with a profit of far more than $100 million by our calculations. The city would leave Astroland open for another year if it gets the land. Among the reasons Mr. Sitt might fold is that the city already bought part of Wonder Wheel Park, which sits in the middle of his land holdings, a possible third Bloomberg term and the fact that Thor needs city approval for developments it wants in Red Hook and Bensonhurst. Everything is subject to change. Stay tuned for tomorrow’s episode of ‘As the Coney Turns.'”–Curbed

Planning Commission Chair Amanda Burden visited Gowanus last night to talk about the status of the city’s plans to upzone 25 blocks of Gowanus to allow buildings up to 12 stories tall, but she surprised everyone by announcing that a Carroll Gardens downzoning proposals would be ready by June, 2009. Ms. Burden claimed to want consensus from the community about the controversial rezoning, asking at one point, “Is this what you as a community want?” (In addition to some resounding “no’s” among some attendees, there is some sentiment that building height along the canal be restricted to eight stories rather than the 12 that would be allowed in the “Waterfront South” District.) For details about the proposal click here. In any case, the real headline is what Ms. Burden had to say about the Carroll Gardens downzoning. Neighborhood activists have been pushing hard for a downzone and City Council Member Bill de Blasio has said he would not support a Gowanus upzone without a Carroll Gardens downzone. Here is Ms. Burden’s statement:

Carroll Gardens is a unique, historic neighborhood that typifies brownstone Brooklyn. In recent years, the neighborhood character has been threatened by new buildings and enlargements that are out-of-scale with the surrounding low-rise context. In response, the Department crafted a solution for the so-called ‘wide streets’ which were particularly vulnerable to out-of-scale development. The text amendment applied new definitions to these streets, providing height and bulk regulations that are more appropriate to the character of the buildings on these and surrounding neighborhood streets.

Now, it is time for a comprehensive approach to frame future development in Carroll Gardens to ensure greater predictability to protect its scale and character. Tonight, I am delighted to be here at Community Board 6 to announce that the Department will begin a rezoning study for Carroll Gardens with the aim of producing a draft rezoning proposal for this neighborhood and beginning public review by June of 2009.

The downzoning and upzoning would be on similar timetables, according to a spokesperson for the City Planning Department. More about the meeting over at PMFA.

[Photo courtesy of Josh Derr/Gl Flickr Pool]

Presented without snarky comment.

So, you have some time to plan for your Thanksgiving weekend post-gorging exercises, but here’s a little idea to keep in mind for some fun: On Thanksgiving Day (11/27), there will be the Turkey Foot Race, a 5K run with the Prospect Park Track Club, starting on Park Drive near the Concert Grove. (Call (718) 595-2049 for more info.) Friday thru Sunday (11/28-11/30), the Winter on a Flatbush Farm will be at Lefferts Historic House (95 Prospect Park West), 1 – 4 p.m. Learn to make candles, quilts or how to preserve food, and Tasty Dutch treats, and a special Dutch traditional visit of St. Nick riding in on horse back at 3pm on Sunday (11/30). For more information on these and other events, check out the Prospect Park calendar. Also note that the opening date of the Wollman Rink has been changed from November 19 to Thanksgiving Day, weather permitting.
–Vaduzuvunt

[Photo courtesy of Rubys Host/GL Flickr Pool]

We remember summer in Coney.

This is one of the renderings of a new Coney Island just released by the Municipal Art Society that will be presented at the Brooklyn Academy of Music this evening. More about it all tomorrow.

More renderings after the jump.

Per an email from Concerned Citizens of Greenwood Heights, who were among the first to sound the alarm about the scam-like practices which IDT energy is engaging all over Brooklyn: “our ever vigilante crew on 23rd St. (don’t mess with us man!) was on the tip as the boys and girls of IDT Energy (most likely via Midtown Productions) had the chutzpah to return to the very neighborhood that outed them in October. That, or the CEO, Chris Polke, at Midtown decided to fire his staff (as he does on a regular basis it seems) and these new recruits had no idea. Here’s the note from our neighbor: “Two gentlemen from IDT were working the block this afternoon. “Can I see your ConEd bill — I need to show you something important.” I told them that everyone on the block knew about them and that they should leave. They continued up the block, ringing doorbells. I followed them, snapping pictures with my cell, which seemed to irritate them & they walked away, around the corner.”

So, this is a heads up that “theyrrrrrrrre back!” Don’t get scammed or slammed. Please let me know directly if you, yet again or for the first time, get hit up by this crew. And don’t show them your Con Ed or Nat. Grid bills! I am presenting this whole case at CB7’s monthly meeting this Wednesday, including (if I get it finished) a flyer on how to not get “ESCOS scammed or slammed” for the public. Perhaps this will prompt our busy local elected to chime in and help out the districts in fighting back these ESCOS scammers, even if it’s just to pick-up our flyer and distribute it in their offices. WE NEED YOUR HELP!

“Just walked home from the train around 11:30 and saw a group of two or three older looking Skinheads hanging out with some of the younger punk kids from the neighborhood on 7th Ave and 15th. Couldn’t tell if they were the racist kind but I’ve never seen them around here before so I didn’t stick around to find out. People please be aware.”–Brookynian

Imagine the conversation that led up to this lightening bolt of genius. So, we’re going to put another Asian restaurant on Bedford Avenue. We’ve got Wild Ginger on the left. We’ve got Rice Bowl on the right. What can we call it? Oh. Wait. I know! Zen Tango. While we were taking the picture the people standing out front were stopping passersby asking “Do you have a minute for gay rights?” Well, we might have a few for a Zen Tango.

And, now, a selection of musical events through the middle of the week:

Monday 11/17/08
Jalopy: Country Blues Jam: Bring you fiddle, accordion, banjo, washtub, mandolin, guitar, or maybe even spoons and participate in an open jam session. Free!! 9:30pm

Tuesday 11/18/08
Bar 4: Open Mike Night–Hosted by Tanya Buziak.
Pre-list @ 6:15pm, Sign up @ 8:00pm, Start @ 8:30pm (mostly Singer-Songwriters) Free!!

Southpaw: Brightblack Morning Light, FURSAXA, Zomes (Indie) $13, 9:00pm

Barbes: Slavic Soul Party (Funk/Gypsy-Jazz/Balkan/Soul) $10, 9:00pm

Wednesday 11/19/08
Union Hall: Peter and The Wolf, The Antlers (Indie/Folk) $8, 7:30pm
—Dan Bennis

Forget Park Slope. The neighborhood you’re seeking is Marine Park. It “is somewhat isolated by a lack of subway access. It is bounded by Flatlands Avenue and Avenue N on the north, Avenues U and V on the south, Nostrand and Gerritsen Avenues on the west, and Flatbush Avenue on the east. Many residents are of Irish and Italian descent; there is also an increasing number of Orthodox Jewish families, as well as small black and Asian populations.”–NYT

You knew this was only a matter of time. It’s going to be on Bedford Avenue right next to Northside Car Service near the Subway. FroYo from Yogurtberry while you wait for your ride? The wisdom of opening in November or December? Eh. Not so good.

This is a time lapse of Brooklyn and the sky as shot from 23rd Street recently.

If one had to select a couple of cuisines that Park Slope doesn’t need more of, one would be Japanese and the other would be Italian. Yet, here we are. This is Primo Atto, which is now open in the space formerly occupied by Cocotte. The menu looks interesting. It is a block from Villa Rustica, which opened about a month ago and a couple of blocks from the (unspeakably vile) Aperitivo which may serve some of the worst pasta in all of New York City, unless we it hit on a night when an 11-year-old was doing make believe restaurant in the kitchen. For a bit more on all the Italians on Fifth, click here.

On the left we have the Shaft of Fourth Avenue, a rental building, from Bricolage Designs. On the right, we have a boxy thing designed by Armand Quadrini that was originally a Robert Scarano product. The Quadrini is 12 stories and will have 44 units. Comparison between the two versions here.