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March 11, 2005

Bed Stuy Getting a P.R. Makeover

Some local Bed Stuy-ers are dropping a cool $150,000 on a rebranding effort aimed at making the nabe's dangerous rep a thing of the past. The business and community leaders behind the effort are hoping the long-time motto "Bed Stuy Do or Die" will soon be replaced by "Bed Stuy and Proud of It." We know which one we think is catchier! For the more real estate-inclined, we'd suggest a couple of alternatives: "Bed Stuy, Prices are High" or "Bed Stuy, Buy, Buy, Buy!" Any other suggestions?
Say It Loud: Bed Stuy and Proud [NY Daily News]
Bed Stuy Debuts "Proud" Slogan [NY Post]




Posted by Brownstoner at 8:08 AM | Comments (43)
Categories: Neighborhoods

Comments

Bed Stuy, let's gen-tri-fy!

Posted by: Lena at March 11, 2005 8:51 AM

I have always found this buying spree that is goin on in Bed Stuy a bit strange. I mean every one loves a brownstone but alot of this area is still home to violent crime on a rather routine basis.

I live on the WBurg/Bushwick border, an area that has less crime but no brownstones. Guess which hood gets the attention?

Posted by: Anonymous at March 11, 2005 10:27 AM

I'm sensing a little hostility! I guess it's a fine line between this neighborhood simply catching up with nearby areas and being the (new) poster child for evil gentrification. It's funny that local business owners and those who presumably have longtime connections to the area say that "we need to attract people from outside of the community" (as the owner of Brownstone Books is quoted as saying), but when they get that attention it is seen that they are somehow being taken advantage of. I live in Bed-Stuy and a lot of the people there ARE proud of their community and are happy to see things picking up there.

I also think it is funny when people who have "bought it" (in more ways than one) to other Brooklyn nabes that maybe didn't always have such a great reputation now look at the "next guy" and say, "Oh how pathetic...they think that's actually a nice place to live."

Posted by: Anonymous at March 11, 2005 11:02 AM

Why do you find it strange?
When people look at Bedford Stuyvesant now, they see what Park Slope was back in the day -- when 5th avenue in Park Slope was a "no-go zone".
What Bedford Stuyvesant has going for it is nice, historic buildings at a fraction of Park Slope prices. Now is the chance for those singing the tune "Oh if only I'd bought that brownstone on 1st and 7th in Park Slope in 1980 for $90,000". Tomorrow, that song might be about BedStuy. Hard to believe? That song is already being sung about Clinton Hill . . . for example:
http://www.livejournal.com/users/hiphopdiary/374572.html
(link via http://ltjbukem.blogspot.com/2005/03/as-yuppies-descend-upon-clinton-hill.html)
True, crime is still a problem in the neighborhood. No denying it (I'm not sure there's much more crime than in Wburg/Bushwick border area). But there's the hope that it could become the nice neighborhood it once was.
Just to give it a broader perspective, here's an interesting account on Bedford Stuyvesant (with a couple surprises concerning its multi-colored ethnic history):
http://www.nyc-architecture.com/BES/BED-bedstuy_family_history.htm

By the way, there's a nice coffee shop in Bedford Stuyvesant. Check out Solomon's Porch at 307 Stuyvesant Ave.(cor. of Halsey St.)

Posted by: jk at March 11, 2005 11:35 AM

This buying spree is not strange at all. They already have a Yahoo group (not that that is an indicator at all) of new families moving in the area as does FG/CH, Park Slope & other gentrified or gentrifying areas.

Posted by: Anonymous at March 11, 2005 12:17 PM

Haha, Lena, very funny!

I live in Bed-Stuy and I dunno for some reason I find the slogan kind of desperate and pathetic and could somehow backfire. As a previous poster said many people are proud of living in Bed Stuy. What we need isn't a facelift, but more police, better education, more opportunity, better services etc etc.

Anyhow, who gets to decide how the neighborhood is to be represented? This is something that could affect all of us and yet the first I heard of it is on a blog (a great one nonetheless.)

I would venture to guess that the crime in the brownstone area of bed stuy is a lot lower than the other areas of bed stuy and williamsburg/bushwick border.

Posted by: Pietro at March 11, 2005 12:29 PM

Let’s face it, proud or not, the idea of a slogan for a neighborhood is kind of silly. Chances of it becoming a household phrase are, I would say, slim. Probably will be more for attracting business to the Restoration Plaza area and other corporate and community dev’t?

Posted by: Anonymous at March 11, 2005 12:47 PM

Pietro:
That's my feeling as well. Overall neighborhood crime stats are skewed by housing projects. This map make that pretty clear:
http://www.villagevoice.com/news/0446,gonnerman,58490,1.html
[click "View Larger Map"].
You can literally see the crime in the projects on that map.

(Note: this map is *prison expenditure per block*, not *crime per block* per se. In my opinion, the map is very open to interpretation: you could just as easily read this map to say things like "white people are less likely to go to jail" . . . but that's all another story. Nevertheless, I think it's an interesting look at Brooklyn crime)

Posted by: jk at March 11, 2005 1:08 PM

Here's a phrase:

Bed Stuy -- if you yuppies can run from the A train to your front door, you'll live another day!

Posted by: Anonymous at March 11, 2005 5:24 PM

I WOULD LIKE TO SAY I WORK IN BED STUY AND THERE ARE NO SIGNS OF GENTRIFICATION GOING ON HERE. UNLESS YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT THE STUDENTS WHO WALK FROM THE SUBWAY PAST LAFAYETTE PROJECTS TO PRATT COLLEGE, GENTRIFICATION? THERE ARE HOMICIDES HERE DAILY AND TO RAISE ANY NORMAL FAMILY HERE WOULD BE INSANE. THE ONLY REASON THE PRICES ARE GOING UP IS BECAUSE THE JEWISH POPULATION OWNS MANY OF THE BUILDINGS AND THEY ARE TRYING TO CAPTURE A GREAT DEAL OF MONEY WITH THERE SALES. BUT TO SAY THERE ARE PEOPLE OF ALL RACES WALKING AROUND HERE IS A LIE.

Posted by: SEB at March 11, 2005 11:14 PM

i don't know the area very well- but I have certainly heard a lot about middle-class/gentrifiers buying and moving into Bed Stuy lately, or is that Stuy Heights? On the map, BS looks larger than FG and CH- so it sounds like some parts of BS are getting safer and changing while other parts are still very dangerous. Is that right?

Posted by: lc at March 12, 2005 7:23 AM

SEB:

That sounds more like Clinton Hill, but all the same I guess.

lc has it right for the most part some areas are gentrifying and some not. Stuyvesant Heights and the area around it are what's safer and changing.

Posted by: pietro at March 12, 2005 9:47 AM

i don't live in bed-stuy, but i read this thread with interest because i've heard a lot about the area. i have to say, though, i found that comment about "yuppies running to their door to live another day" offensive. it's insulting and doesn't belong here.

Posted by: Anonymous at March 12, 2005 11:35 AM

Maybe you're offended, but its true. It is still not a safe area. Even in Stuy Heights, you have to watch, your back. According to a detective friend of mine the park near Boys and Girls HS (which conveniently enough is near the train station closest to Stuy Hts)is a regular place for mugggings, drug deals, and the occasional murder (though the murders are mostly between the "unemployed" young men loitering about during the day and night. Seriously, if they want to improve the neighborhood, let's see a drop in crime, big or otherwise, and get those jokers out of the park.

Posted by: Truth Hurts at March 12, 2005 3:07 PM

i recently moved to the stuyvesant heights area from clinton Hill (Clinton Hill co-ops) I can say that I have had no problems, and in fact find the area quite peacefull. You can hear a pin drop at night on my block. The houses are turning over extremely fast, and i see new neighbors all the time. Certain blocks here in the historic district feel just like fort green. The architecture here is second to none anywhere in the city. I would put the walk from the A train through Fulton Park and up Stuyvesant avenue ahead of the walk north up clinton Avenue to Myrtle from the G train in terms of architectual beauty, simply for the diversity. I would also venture to say that the new Solomons porch on Stuyvesant is as nice or nicer than anything on Myrtle, or anything on "resteraunt row" on Dekalb. You can also find parking more easily here. The A train will get you to Manhattan from here faster than waiting on the G train in Clinton Hill, or taking the C train in Clinton Hill. I get to work much faster now even though it is farther away physically. Also a pro which many people don't realize in that the historic area is zoned R5, meaning the density is realitively low. One more thing, I saw many more "scary" incidents on Myrtle Avenue in Clinton Hill than in my new neighborhood.

That being said, i did enjoy the diversity of people in Clinton Hill/Fort Green more, and I liked being closer to Fort Green Park. The services in Clinton Hill are also much better, but let's remember that the bulk of good stuff on Myrtle is within the last 3 years. Good commercial always lags the residential gentrification. The huge brownstones in the historic district in Stuyvesant Heights are getting close to the million dollar mark, thus you will see more places like soloman's porch, or the art boutique that just opened directly across the street.

that's my two cents. I think the historic distric here is more of an obvious no-brainer than people think. People's contiuned shock over the increasing prices suprises me. I think the prices in Central Harlem for brownstones are more of a shock.

Posted by: Anonymous at March 12, 2005 3:15 PM


Most indiviudals don't see the bigger picture regarding Bed-Stuy and surrounding areass. The Real Estate Giants, i.e. Ratner (Atlantic Terminal) and the Navy Yard( Largest East Coast Studio) are weaving a fine monopoly for the Borough of Brooklyn, and Bedford Stuyvesant is part of the formula. 15 plus years ago, Park Slope, Fort Greene, and Clinton Hill resembled the likes of areas in Bed-Stuy. Drugs, mugging, murders and anti-social activities were culturally entrenched in CH,FG,PS. However, Look now, Middle Class income families can not afford CH,FG and PS now. And 30 plus years ago, Brooklyn Heights around Atlantic Ave were saturated with prostitution, drugs and muggings. Look at the history of Brooklyn neighbors, and with the combination of Prices of Manhattan real estate. Bedstuyvesant will be the next Park Slope in 10 plus years. So buy buy buy the beautiful brownstones. I'm on my 2rd brownstone and looking to buy another 2. Don't pass up the opportunity, or you will see yourself and your family moving out of state. Prime example, Look at the Lower East Side, Harlem, Hell's Kitcen which was culuturally entrenched with drugs,intense crime. LOOK AT HISTORY.

Posted by: Marty at March 12, 2005 7:00 PM

SEB -
THANKS (ok i'll drop the all caps now) for bringing it all back home and pinning whatever it is going on anywhere in the Jews.
You are wrong, about the Gentrification, the "daily" homicides and about the Jews (and if you work near Pratt you're also wrong about working in Bed-Stuy), but I appreciate the effort.

Posted by: will at March 13, 2005 12:18 AM

Ok no problem you want to say i do not know what i am talking about fine. Go live there in bed stuy and raise a family there and get back to me in 15 yrs. There is no Gentrification people hello. There is no STARBUCKS in Bed Stuy, you want to believe there is sorry it is all in your head. As you already know the area has a Very High rate of homicides and drug activity so to whoever wants to be a hero and pretend they are superman go ahead and move to bed stuy and put your son or daughter in there schools and on your streets and let them get use to becoming street smart. Because i hope for there sake that they learn what to do before god forbid anything happens to any inicent child. You all can act like Yuppies and it might be the greatest thing in the world when you buy your brownstone and feel like you are changing the world, but guess what your next door neighbor who does not want your white yuppie self living there is not going to give a damn about you when you walk down the street on Gates ave and just happen to get caught in the crossfire from some bullet flying thru the air. Good luck with all your brownstones and one last thing. Dont forget to put your filter masks every day when you step inside of the house why? guess what is in between all of those walls asbestos, everyone of those brownstones is filled with it. oh i don't hAVE to worry they renovated mine. There is even more to worry about now the particles are airbourne. Oh and guess what once it goes in your lungs it never ever ever comes out.

Posted by: SEB at March 13, 2005 1:45 AM

SEB--learn to spell and get a better job...mebbe you wont be so bitter if you had decent work that would allow you to live on a decent block in the area instead of commuting to a crappy one.

Posted by: mct at March 13, 2005 12:55 PM

n a new homeowner in Bed-Stuy for almost 18 months now and I've had a tremendously positive experience with the neighborhood. The quality and quantity of house (or apartment) one can get for the dollar in the neighborhood still compares very favorably with other areas. Most of the neighbors on my block have been friendly and welcoming. My biggest beef with the neighborhood (mentioned by others above) is the lack of services and commercials options. That seems to be slowly changing with new restaurants/shops on Lewis, Tompkins and Stuyvesant. BTW, the “yuppies” I see going home in the evening seem to do alright without breaking into a sprint to their doors.

Posted by: astroman71 at March 14, 2005 11:08 AM

Wow. This is the most comments I have seen for any topic on this blog. It is enlightening to read the comments people have about my neighborhood. Drugs, crime must not happen in other parts of the city. When I read the police blotter and see things happening in Park Slope, Prospect Heights and Clinton Hill those things must be made up. I have been in Bed-Stuy since 99 and you will be amazed by the change. The part people call “Clinton Hill” use to be known as Bed-Stuy. Ask anyone that lived there before 1996. Some realtors came in and changed the name and you have everyone from NYC trying to move there. Now I look at the Clinton-Washington stop on the C line and people of all ethnic backgrounds get on the train and that situation is moving further back onto the C line, all the way to Utica Ave. As someone already posted look at history people Harlem, LES (Lower East Side), Hells Kitchen, Fort Green, and even those 5 blocks that are really Clinton Hill were all places people did not want to live. Look at them now. People are basically taking out two mortgages and selling a body part to live there now. Bedford Stuyvesant is going through the same change those areas already have gone through. The brownstones in Bed Stuy, especially the ones in Stuyvesant Heights are the same as the rest of Brooklyn. Gentrification is happening. Check out the rents on Craigslist for Bedford Stuyvestant/Stuyvesant Heights. Check out the prices of the brownstones from a year ago. Check out the people buying the brownstones. Recently we had 2 white families moved onto my block. There are new shops opening up along Lewis and Stuyvesant Avenues. And I read an article that the neighborhood with the largest rise in families making over 100K is Bedford Stuyvesant. If those aren’t signs of gentrification I don’t know what is. So keep doubting and you will have to move to all the way out to East NY or Brownsville to afford a home. I live in Bed Stuy, and I am proud of it!!!

Posted by: Russ at March 14, 2005 11:43 AM

I have been living in Bed Stuy for the past year and a half and all of the negative comments are quite amusing. Thank you for the controversy, because the more doubters there are, the more opportunity to buy up these gorgeous brownstones and become independently wealthy!!!. 5 years from now one of these same doubters will be asking me... "How much is rent for the second floor?"... and when I say "$3000 and you can meet me at the corner cafe to drop off your rent + security"...I will be laughing all the way to the BANK!!!

Posted by: Janice at March 14, 2005 12:04 PM

Some of the comments here are quite amusing. It makes me wonder what the motivation of some of the writers is. I recently bought a brownstone in Stuyvesant Heights which makes me biased - but I am confident and optimistic about the neighborhood - at least that portion which is near the A/C line.

I am really surprised by some of the posters who seem to be trying to paint the neighborhood as a war zone. It's not perfect - but such a portrayal is clearly inaccurate. I wonder why they want to perpetuate an inaccurate portrait of the neighborhood. That being said, the same can be said about the neighborhood's boosters. Clearly all recent buyers have an interest in highlighting the positive in order to bring in more buyers and "gentrifiers" to increase the value of their homes.

Posted by: Anonymous at March 14, 2005 12:20 PM

what yahoo group for bed stuy owners is being referred to earlier in this post. i cant't find one. thinking of the harlem one?

Posted by: mcteague at March 14, 2005 3:17 PM

I'm fairly new to NY and I keep hearing about Bedford-Stuyvesant and that the area is going through some kind of renaissance. I currently rent a studio apt in Park Slope, and my girlfriends father who is a real estate broker says it's the next hot spot. He told her that the artists and gays are moving there so in addition to real estate prices going up, cafes, restaurants and trendy shops will surely follow.

Her father and I don't get along to well - he's such a know it all. But anyway, does anyone know if this is true? I'm looking to buy something that's relatively affordable here in Brooklyn.

Thanks.

Posted by: Wesley at March 15, 2005 12:34 AM

LISTEN ALL THEY ARE RIGHT BED STUY IS A WAR ZONE!!!! IF YOU ARE BIDDING ON A BROWNSTONE. HAHAHAHA! See if this person that is posting the negative comment was actually out there trying to purchase a Brownstone in Bed Stuy they would know where the war is being held. I have been here with my family (husband, wife, two small children) for almost a year and we have been looking....We are finally in contract for a beautiful home in Stuy Heights, but that was only after three bidding wars, a shady realtor and alot of tears. So buy people the only COLOR THAT MATTERS OVER HERE IS GREEEEEEEEEEEEN. And I am going to raise my children here...It's up to the parent to TEACH RIGHT FROM WRONG!!! FURTHERMORE we are not YUPPIES...I guess we would be BUPPIES. HAHAHAHA!! Have a laugh.

Posted by: Anonymous at March 15, 2005 10:46 AM

Bed Stuy isn't bad, but if you've seen Spencer or Malcolm X and heard all the gun shots, then you'd have a clearer picture.

It's definately not a bad place to live - the people can be friendlier than, say, a primarily Hasidic neighborhood if you're not Hasidic. There are gun shots and drug deals on the streets almost every night, but if you mind your business you'll be fine.

Posted by: \\\\ at April 13, 2005 1:34 PM

I was born and raised in Bed-Stuy...Macon St. to be exact. The most drama I got caught up in was a robbery at the corner store when I was ten.

I left to go into the military when I was 18 and vowed to never return. Low and behold, I am now in my 30's, own two beautiful brownstones, am opening a business in the area, and am raising 3 beautiful children, all in the same place I swore I would never live as an adult. 2 of my children are in private school and the oldest is in a public school. My children love living here and we find the neighbors and other children pleasant (although children will go through drama regardless).

Yes there is crime here just like any other place. But because Bed-Stuy is known for high crime we tend to hear about it more frequently than other neighborhoods. But just because you don't hear about it doesn't mean it doesn't happen.

For all of the people saying it is a war zone is definitely untrue. I've been in a war, the Gulf War, and living in Bed-Stuy is nothing compared to what I've seen going on over there. Yes, it is becoming very diverse. When I was growing up here, you wouldn't dare see a white person riding a bike down the street when the sun was going down. Now, they are all over and I couldn't be happier. Whatever it takes to get the thugs out, I'm fine with.

So for those of you new to the area, welcome and hopefully you will love it just as much as I do.

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Posted by: Online Poker at May 25, 2005 6:25 AM

i just moved to the stuyvesant heights area a week ago.......i would have never necessarily looked to move into the area, but i needed affordable housing . i'm paying $1150 for a 1.5 br. , and there is no way i could afford manhattan rents. i think that with anything...people make statements and judge incorrectly because of ignorance and misinformation. this is my new 'hood, so i've decided to do the research- find out what's going on, read about the historical and socio-economic past of the area, and figure out how I can make an impact on where i live. it is easier to just sometimes just look at politicians....i think that we all have responsibilities if you live there!! to be honest, i am still cautious about the area, but you need to be that way regardless!! i ask store owners questions...who is so, and so, are they aw'ight? etc etc. i want people to know who i am as well so that they can look out for me.

with that being said, i look forward to living here and creating "home". who knows....i might even buy...

Posted by: sheer at February 3, 2006 2:10 PM

I am currently looking into buying a condo on Macon between Thomas Boyland and Saratoga. Its a great deal. I am told that is the end of Bed Stuy and it intersects with Bushwick and Brownville. It is close to Broadway the J Train and about 7 blocks from the Ralph Avenue C train but I drive. I am single professional female so I am kind of worried about the crime in that area. I am told that things are changing rapidly. Is anyone familiar with this area or can offer some advice. I lived in Clinton Hill before on Grand and Gates Avenue and the end of my block is kind of rough even though the prices are out of control.

Posted by: Joherra Harris at March 5, 2006 6:26 PM

I am new to all of this but i am looking at a brownstone on van buren street near stuyvesant. i went out to the neighborhood and asked the neighbors on the street how it was on the block and they could not have been nicer. they told me everyone knows everyone elses name, looks out for eachother, and that I ( a 22 year old white girl) would be just fine. The visible community found on that black is far more than anything i've ever seen in manhattan or even the more fully gentrified areas of brooklyn. I have a good feeling about the area. does anyone have any advice about this area off of the kosciuzko JMZ line? How does this area compare with others in Bed Stuy? any helpful hints woulds be greatly appreciated! thanks!

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Posted by: spironolactone at June 29, 2006 8:44 PM

i believe that bed stuy is changing be it slowly for all of you that pay keen attention to the economy should all be able to viewthenext two years (rising rates,rising unemployment due to bubble bust f housing market. remember amny of these thugs have found employment as laborers ... security guards home depot housing sector etc i am happy to see different people of different ethnicities move in afterall diversity is what makes our country great. however what i dislike is those that move in stay to themselves smile in your face when they see you and then do a flip job in 5 months.i believe his bhavior (speculaors) kill communities

Posted by: kbrooklan at July 19, 2006 12:34 AM

It's two years later< what do some of you think now?

Posted by: Guru at May 6, 2007 6:33 PM

Is it possible to re-visit this conversation, now that two years has past?

Posted by: Guru at May 7, 2007 3:41 PM

meah seriously, I'm totally intereseted...i juts found a dreamy apartment in bed Stuy and people are telling me messed up stuff. I feel like the neighborhood is family oriented and alive? I am a young white female and am wondering if its a risk, because my walk to the subway would be about 15 minutes.

Posted by: martha at June 2, 2007 8:12 PM

15 min. is a long walk from anywhere in Bed Stuy to get a train as we are well served by the A, G, J and LIRR, that being said I am sure you will have a pleasant stay in your new apt., so please do get out and enjoy our new cafes and boutiques and welcome to Bed Stuy. "Bed Stuy it is what you make it"

Posted by: anon at June 8, 2007 11:48 AM

What is being said by the individuals from the begining of this thread currently? any change of mind? sorry you didn't invest? glad you did?

Posted by: Anon at June 14, 2007 5:34 PM

Over a million paid for houses in Bed Stuy and climbing as of June 2007. What did they cost at the start of this thread?

Posted by: anon at June 22, 2007 8:19 PM

I just started renting in BedStuy and actually referred to this blog when i was considering the neighborhood and was taken aback, because some of the responses were kind of hostile and portrayed the neighborhood as unlivable. My experience has been very warm and welcoming. My neighbors were friendly and interested to get to know who i am and to help me get to know the neighborhood around me. I had help unloading my moving truck to my 4th floor walk up, I had a ride offered to me when i was carrying lumber from the hardware store, I am greeted by neighbors every time i take my dog out or walk to the train in the morning. So I suppose bedStuy is what you make of it, so far its making out to be a good place with great community spirit. No place is perfect, but in this case i'm getting a whole lot more in return then i expected from any neighborhood.

Posted by: mm at June 26, 2007 3:25 PM

i have just moved to bed stuy from canada via asia and africa and i love it! yes, we could use a few more cafes but hey, it is peaceful, the houses are immensely beautiful, the people are soulful saying hello when you walk past...you cant imagine how much more civilized and human especially coming from some sterile anglo-canadian passive nightmare.

Posted by: guest at September 24, 2007 7:41 PM

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