Development Planned Above Waverly Associated
Most of the supermarkets in the Clinton Hill area are housed in one- or two-story buildings, an arrangement that is presumably leaving lots of developable air rights unused. One owner of one of these properties is starting to move on a plan to more fully monetize his property—and we won’t be surprised if others follow….
Most of the supermarkets in the Clinton Hill area are housed in one- or two-story buildings, an arrangement that is presumably leaving lots of developable air rights unused. One owner of one of these properties is starting to move on a plan to more fully monetize his property—and we won’t be surprised if others follow. According to an item that’s been placed on the June 3 calendar of the Landmarks Preservation Commission, the owner of 367 Waverly Avenue, a one-story structure that currently houses an Associated supermarket, has submitted a proposal “to modify the existing building and construct a new 3 story addition.” We haven’t seen any drawings yet, but presumably they will be on view at LPC. Anyone heard anything about this one?
June 20 Calendar [LPC] GMAP
As someone who lives in the Clinton Hill Coops, I really hope the Associated will continue to be there. It is wonderful to have a decent (compared to a lot of Brooklyn supermarkets like Pathmark–uggh) place to pick up last minute ingredients and produce, and the hours are pretty good. The folks who work there are really nice and friendly, and always say hello when we see them on the street. We also shop at other places in the neighborhood, like L’Epicerie (for special treats), and of course the Ft. Greene Park farmer’s market, but without this market we’d be forced to rely on Fresh Direct.
P.S. I also think it’s a crime that the only grocery store near the Ingersoll Houses was torn down. But that’s capitalism for you. During the Depression, chickens were dumped into the East River because no one could afford to buy them.
ISn’t Waverly one of the few “alleys” – in that it was originally lined with stables for the larger houses on Clinton and Washington? I’m with 11:24 in that I understand his/her irritation with noise and light (I have a Masonic Temple across the street whose crowds wake me up many a weekend night). On the other hand if we accept NYC as being unlike the suburbs in that residential and commercial areas are not strictly separated, it is hard to see how one could avoid this. ISn’t there a no-parkign trucks only zone in front of the market? Perhaps that could be extended – of course at the cost of reducing on the street parking for others…
I would like to focus this discussion to the practical. The problem with the assoicated is that it is not at all in the context of the neighborhood and that there is really no proper delivery area or regulation of the deliveries made to the market (not to mention where the garbage is kept and picked up from). Almost every morning I wake to the sound of someone holding a car horn and cursing at a delivery guy that is blocking the street (this is probably a good thing since I am a chronic snoozer). If landmarks and city planning (I am assuming they will have to get some sort of zoning change or varience) allow this development to go forward they should require changes that bring the building into the context of the existing architechture (namely, get rid of the awful red sign that casts an erie light into my window at night)and require a legitimate delivery and garbage storage area so the street is not incumbered. Adding some parking would be a good thing as well. I saw a condo project go up in a landmarked area in Philadelphia where they tunneled under the building to grant access into the back of the building. I would love to see them do something like that.
“Brooklynnative” could you stop with the nastiness already? If I misread your comment, I’m sorry – but really calling me a “dick” in any language is really tiresome. Take it down a notch. Do you speak pleasantly to people in person? If so, please try to carry those skills over here.
2:27/5:40 – the developer of the site is the owner of Gristedes and is building a supermarket. The article was on Brownstoner just two months ago.
http://bstoner.wpengine.com/brownstoner/archives/2008/03/catsimatidis_sa.php
Do a little research before your spout unnecessary venom. And please try to be a little nicer to the people around you.
Love,
your neighbor
I could care less about more apts or condos being built. Give me a decent supermarket that doesnt smell like a cat or damp mop,where the meat isnt all but black when you get home and take it out the package and flip it over, where the oranges have some juice when you cut them and arent old and shriveled up and the milk’s expiration date is at least a week out.With these gas prices , I am tired of trekking to other nabes to do my shopping and DONT mention not fresh direct.
Hi 4:29. I have no illusions that the owner of the property facing Ingersoll has ANY obligation whatsoever. That obligation remains the responsibility of our elected officials who have been blinded to the real needs of the community. It’s not unusual to provide zoning waivers or other bonuses to developers in exchange for schools, parks or other community enhancement. It’s our officials who need to enforce this because there’s not a chance any developer will do it without coercion.
We should be demanding a little less NIMBY from people who want no change at all and a little more realistic public demand for basic community services in exchange for their perceived right to overbuild.
Our elected officials can and should demand more.
Thanks, Biff, that’s real helpful. Let me rephrase: whatever made 2:27 think that the owner of the property opposite Ingersol had an obligation to replace the services in the buildings that he tore down so he could construct new ones? And what makes 2:27 think that LPC can block a redevelopment plan based on the need for more supermarkets in the area? — 3:26
And what part of “”to modify the existing building and construct a new 3 story addition.” says the store won’t close while they’re working on it? We’re SOL.