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March 8, 2006
Washington Avenue Not Living Up to Potential
We missed this article in the back pages of Brooklyn Papers last week. The writer is pointing out what a lost opportunity Washington Avenue has been in terms of upscale retail and restaurants.
Washington Avenue in Prospect Heights could be a central artery of Brooklyn's booming cultural heart, but instead it has become a road to nowhere. Given its proximity to institutions such as the Brooklyn Museum, the Brooklyn Academy of Music and the Botanic Gardens, plus an influx of new, wealthier residents in recent years, the commercial corridor might have blossomed into a thriving strip. Yet a walk through the neighborhood reveals a surprising lack of restaurants, shops and attractions that dominate other commercial spines with similar economics.
We'd have to agree. Vanderbilt is coming along though, no?
Washington Ave Slow to Improve [Brooklyn Papers - pdf]
Comments
Shorter Brooklyn Papers article:
A part of Brooklyn ISN'T gentriying?
Short Brownstoner:
I might have to rewrite that part about the 'lifestyles that brownstones define.'
Posted by: grandave at March 8, 2006 12:15 PM
This was a very interesting article. While there are some signs that Washington Avenue is changing (Gen, Shane, soon-to-be-opened New World Coffee, some vacant storefronts, condos), much of it remains the same as its been for years. To the east, Classon Avenue is about to get a new deli (Lincoln/Eastern Parkway).
Based on the article, it seems that the local BID was run by a bunch of idiots who ran it into the ground.
Posted by: Anonymous at March 8, 2006 1:06 PM
Washington is still a sharper demographic divider than Vanderbilt. It's easier for Vanderbilt because their target demographic is both to the east and west. If Washington focuses on the population to either the east or west (is it possible to do both?), it only has "half an audience".
Posted by: Anonymous at March 8, 2006 2:01 PM
Page number?
Posted by: Anonymous at March 8, 2006 2:07 PM
Good point about the "sharp divider", anon 2:01. I think that will change over the next 5-10 years and perhaps the commercial transition will follow.
Posted by: Anonymous at March 8, 2006 2:29 PM
I think it's changing already. While it's true that Vandy has affluence on both sides, there is a whole new wave of people moving east of washington that are looking for something more than what is there. They may not be brownstone owners but there are lots of new residents looking for some good bars/restaurants/coffee shops, etc. rather than what's currently on washington.
Posted by: Ben at March 8, 2006 3:16 PM
Why isn't the museum interested on collaborating with the revitalization of it? they defenately could benefit as well. I'm sure it will be a matter of few years considering the residential boom, to have some nice stores, A GREAT SUPERMARKET! Why not bunch of us from Clinton Hill Prospect Heights create some kind of coop like Park Slope? Does anybody knows if that new condo on Washington will have some retail stores?
Posted by: Anonymous at March 8, 2006 3:21 PM
broker once told me that neighborhood commerical services are usually 10 years behind a residential boom. schools are 15-20 years.
Posted by: Anonymous at March 8, 2006 3:55 PM
I think that a bar like Soda or Patio (on 5th Avenue in Park Slope) would do well on Washington. People seem to need coffee first and beer second.
Posted by: Anonymous at March 8, 2006 4:17 PM
The Washington does have a large retail space but not sure what is going on with that. There will be 2 new restaurants and a gourmet produce/supermarket opening on Washington in the near future.
Posted by: Anonymous at March 8, 2006 7:28 PM
new grocery store on washington?!? great! in the condos between hall and washington? also, beer first, then coffee. :)
Posted by: anon at March 8, 2006 10:54 PM
7:28pm: do tell more about the 2 new restaurants and gourment produce/supermarket, please!
Posted by: ltjbukem at March 9, 2006 9:21 AM
Hi! Yes, what do you know about the restaurants and produce/supermarket? share with us, this is interesting.
Thanks!
Posted by: Anonymous at March 9, 2006 11:34 AM
I second that motion! Details, please. How near is the "near future"?
Posted by: Anonymous at March 9, 2006 12:50 PM
for anyone still reading this thread, check out http://www.washington-avenue.com
Posted by: Anonymous at March 12, 2006 9:15 PM
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