Cities and places
March 18, 2009
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May 9, 2008
Greenstone Realty did a survey of 200 people roaming the streets of Williamsburg and published the results in its marketing brochure for The Edge's retail space. The following is a sample of their retail wish list, in descending order: 177 respondents said they want a cinema, 140 want a pharmacy, slightly fewer want more clothing stores (129 described themselves as fashion freaks), and 129 want more food and gourmet markets. Clubs came in last, with only 29 respondents saying the neighborhood needs more places to get drunk and boogie. Second to last was (surprise!) galleries39 people said they want more places to view and buy art. Other interesting tidbits: 82 people said they dislike the warehouses and manufacturing, and 101 said they dislike the neighborhood's gentrification. Almost everyone felt there needs to be more retail. While 181 people said Williamsburg is "the coolest place in Brooklyn," only 101 said it's cooler than Manhattan. See the full results after the jump...
Burg Throwdown! The Edge vs. Northside Piers [Brownstoner]
Photo by everyplace.
NY Sun
by James Gardner
The Sun's architectural critic thinks the new renderings of Atlantic Yards (or at least a portion of the project) are an upgrade over the previous version.
Forest City Ratner has this week released the latest plans for its contentious development of the Atlantic Yards in Brooklyn, more specifically for the parcel of its 22 acres that faces the southwest, looking past the Brooklyn Bridge into Manhattan. In an architectural context that tends, over time, to drag all things down in the direction of safe and unassuming mediocrity, these plans, from the studio of Frank Gehry, have the distinction of being even bolder than the initial ones and, in some senses, a little better.
But...
With the release of these latest renderings, we finally have some sense of what the Atlantic Yards might actually look like completed. But a great deal could happen between now and then, and the plans could change dramatically in the next few months.
Rumors of Carlton Mews' demise have been greatly exaggerated, it appears. A couple of months ago, very well-placed tipster sent word that the developers of Carlton Mews, the landmark-compliant new townhouse development (plus church conversion) at 233 Carlton Avenue in Fort Greene, was "on life support." The project has been a long time coming and the developers have patiently worked closely with the community and LPC on the plans for a couple of years, so this was sad news to say the least. So we were psyched to get a tip yesterday that there was some new activity at the dormant site. We biked over and, sure enough, a contractor was getting ready to remove the trailer in anticipation of excavation work beginning within the next week. Turns out the New Building application was approved on May 6. Evidently, whatever financing troubles (if any) they'd been having have now been solved. Rock'n'roll!
Carlton Mews "On Life Support"? [Brownstoner] GMAP P*Shark DOB
LPC Gives Go-Ahead to Carlton Mews Project [Brownstoner]
Last night Community Board 6's landmarks/land-use committee dealt a harsh (albeit symbolic) blow to local watering hole and performance space Union Hall. After a lengthy and often rancorous public hearing about renewing the Park Slope bar and venue's liquor license, the committee voted 6 to 2 in favor of a motion that denies Union Hall a renewal unless the business's owners sign a contract stipulating that they will take measures to ameliorate noise, such as stopping the sale of alcohol after midnight. Although the motion is ultimately only advisory, the committee member who introduced it—Lou Sones, who himself owns a bar, The Brazen Head on Atlantic Avenue—described it as the community board's "nuclear weapon" in terms of being a powerful indication to the State Liquor Authority that Union Hall is disturbing the lives of nearby residents. The motion was introduced after a two-hour-long pubic hearing in which many supporters of Union Hall, which is on Union Street between 5th and 6th avenues, spoke about how much they appreciated the business. A good number of residents who live near the establishment, meanwhile, described how noise from the business and its patrons was negatively affecting their quality of life. More people at the hearing, in fact, spoke out in support of Union Hall than against it. Find out what they had to say, and read the anti-UH faction's claims, on the jump...
Crown Heights. Photo by stan.
New York’s Coveted Public Schools Face Pupil Jam [NY Times]
Homeowner Rescue Bill Passed Despite Veto Threat [NY Times]
Deal to Build at Railyards on West Side Collapses [NY Times]
Questions of Rent Tactics by Private Equity [NY Times]
Marty: Don't Dump Homeless in C. Hts [Daily News]
Ask Babs: Should I Rent or Buy? [Daily News]
ESDC: Site 5 Delay Expected [AY Report]
Homeownership Rates Slipping [Matrix]
'10 Plagues of the Subway' [AMNY]
Weekend Subway Guide [NY Post]
When I first heard the name Michael Perlman, in connection to the saving and relocation of the Moondance Diner, I thought, "Oh, some crusty old preservationist has come to the rescue. Good." I picture a grizzled old Villager with a beard, wire-rim glasses and sandals, smoking cigarillos. When I heard Perlman's name again, in connection to the relocation of the Cheyenne diner to Red Hook, I thought, "Gee, this guys gets around. And he gets things done!" Soon I found out he was a boychik of 25 from Queens! What gives? I usually don't do interview on this blog, but I had to find out the story behind Gotham's littlest preservationist. I shot him a few questions, and he sent me back following long, but very earnest and sincere answers.
Lost City: Are you a native New Yorker? If not, when did you move here?
Michael Perlman: I am a native New Yorker. I grew up in Forest Hills, NY, and proudly reside there to this day. Several generations of my family have as well, so I intend to further that legacy.
LC: How did you get so interested in diners? What is it about New York's freestanding diners that you find so worth saving?
MP: Historic freestanding diners are becoming an "endangered species" today at an alarming rate, but to our advantage, they were factory-built and pre-assembled, and therefore manufactured to move. Diners are among the "ultimate public institutions" which harbor countless memories and bridge the generations. They brought together individuals of various occupations in a cozy and striking ambiance. Diners are places where memories come alive, and traditionally, patrons from various classes would casually sit side by side, and converse freely on just about any topic. Being that freestanding railway car-inspired diners shaped NYC communities, and initiate bold flavor, their loss is often most heartfelt. They are a preservation priority.
LC: How did you find the buyer for the Moondance?
MP: I formed the Committee To Save The Moondance Diner in Feb 2007. I convinced Extell Development who owned the land, to reconsider their position on demolishing it for a condo. I figured, "Why not pick it up and move it?" I encouraged them to donate it to the RI-based American Diner Museum, in exchange for a tax write-off. ADM sold it to a couple in Wyoming by posting it on their website with my help.
LC: How did you realize the Red Hook move for the Cheyenne?
MP: In the tale end of March, AM-NY informed me that Manhattan's Cheyenne Diner was closing on April 6th, and would likely be jackhammered into oblivion for a condo. That was when I immediately stepped right up, formed the small but determined "Committee To Save The Cheyenne Diner," and submitted a proposal to property owner George Papas. Thankfully, he seemed enthusiastic about meeting with me, and responded to my written proposal the very same day. After devising a figure of $7,900 with Papas, and generating press coverage, prospective buyers numbered 24 within a record-breaking two weeks. Most contacted me via e-mail, and a few by phone. They came from as far as Indiana, Cheyenne WY, Ohio, CT, NJ, & Upstate NY. Most parties of interest came from the five boroughs. [Red Hook developer] Mike O'Connell was the winner, since it was basically a first-come, first-serve basis. They agreed upon $5,000, considering the rigging costs, cost for securing permits, and lot acquisitions, and restoration that excitingly awaits. I am informing the 23 parties that lost out, about the remaining few classic freestanding diners that are in jeopardy (in NYC and one in Paramus, NJ).
LC: You're pretty young for a preservationist. What drives you?
MP: In summer 2005, I was passing by the Trylon Theater at 98-81 Queens Blvd, Forest Hills, and it was heartbreaking to see contractors taking jackhammers to its mosaic tile ticket booth which memorialized the Trylon monument. The entrance pavilion's mosaic and terrazzo floor also depicted the Trylon monument, but has since been cemented over. The Art Deco theater was built during the 1939 World's Fair (which took place nearby in Flushing Meadows), and the Trylon and Perisphere were the signature monuments. This fueled my preservation efforts, and also awakened the dormant preservationist in many community residents, amongst other supporters. Now I Chair Rego-Forest Preservation Council (est. 2006), which advocates for Individual Landmarks and Historic Districts in Rego Park & Forest Hills.
LC: What's your next mission?
MP: My next mission is preserving the historic Ridgewood Theatre (55-27 Myrtle Ave, Queens, NY) shuttered in March, marking the end of its consistent nearly 92-year run as a first-run theater. It is considered by theater historians to be the longest continuously operating neighborhood theater citywide, and potentially throughout the U.S. The theater was purchased last year by real estate agent Tony Montalbano of Montalbano Realty Corp. In March, when the theater was closed without notice, a vinyl banner went up around the marquee, stating "Retail space available in Ridgewood Theatre." Even though the owner is advertising retail for the two ground floor theaters, and considering the reopening of the upper floors' screens for showing films, many locals would favor adaptive & creative reuse of the ground floor, involving the performing arts. Otherwise, portions of the interior may be gutted without respect to its history, and the facade may be altered rather than restored, if worse comes to worse. A typical retail establishment can open almost anywhere, and considering the theater's history, it deserves much better! I am trying to find a historically-sensitive performing arts-related tenant or two for the owner, and if anyone is interested or knows of a potential investor, I encourage them to contact me ASAP.
I am also dedicating much of my time towards surveying Forest Hills & Rego Park for potential Individual Landmarks & Historic Districts, since we have a history dating back to 1906, but the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission only designated 2 sites in Forest Hills, and has been turning a blind eye.
Atlantic Yards Report
The new renderings produced by Frank Gehry do not include Site 5, the tower on the wedge of land between Pacific Street and Atlantic, Flatbush, and Fourth avenues, currently home to P.C. Richard and Modell's. Previous renderings (right) did include Site 5.
The General Project Plan approved by the Empire State Development Corporation in December 2006 suggested that Site 5 was a priority:
The development of both Site 5 and Building 1, with high density buildings, is central to the goal of the Project to transform this very public and prominent area by creating architecturally significant buildings that would ring, and be connected to, the transit hub, and by developing uses that would activate and create a vibrant streetscape experience for the public.
Based on the renderings, my surmise is that either the building has been dropped, or its construction has been postponed. I asked ESDC spokesman Warner Johnston for information.
He responded, "Site 5 was never contemplated to be one of the first buildings and will be done in a future phase."
ICOM (the International Council of Museums) will be organizing a museums tour through the southern Balkans this fall. The idea: "By visiting major cities and sites in the region the museum tour and conference will enable participants to compare the efforts made bymuseums in Tirana, Korce (Museum of Medieval Art), Ohrid (National Museum of Macedonia), Bitola (several different historical sites), Vergina (Tomb of Philipp II), Thessaloniki (Museum of Bycentine Culture and others) and Istanbul (private and public museums) to preserve, rebuild or establish collections and exhibitions". Deadline for registration is June 30, 2008. There is a registration fee, but a number of grants are available. Read the full announcement here.
Heath Lowry (Princeton) will be giving a talk ("Hasluck Revisited: The Fate of Muslim 'Sacred Spaces' in Today's Greece") in connection with his new book (it looks quite nice, photos by our Stephen Lewis) at Sabanci University this Monday (May 12), 2-3:30PM (more...). Later this week, and also in Istanbul, Gunhan Borekci (fellow at the RCAC) will give a talk entitled ”Sultan Ahmed I and His Imperial Mosque Complex in Istanbul: An Interpretation” as part of the mini-symposium "Imperial Patronage from Byzantine to Ottoman Times" (Friday, May 16, 4PM- at the "Koc Institute").