November 18, 2009

Stimulus Funding for Flatbush Affordable Housing

Using money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act’s Tax Credit Assistance Program, the city's Department of Housing Preservation and Development earlier this week announced that ten affordable housing projects around the city would receive a total injection of more than $28 million; the ten projects would collectively add 600 units of housing. Just one of the projects is in Brooklyn, reports The Eagle. It's a 53-unit development planned for 97 Crooke Avenue in Flatbush. The $2,239,000 in government funding will go to construct 32 units of supportive housing and 21 units of affordable housing for those making 60 percent of the area median income.
B’klyn Housing Benefits From Stimulus Funding [Brooklyn Eagle] GMAP

October 15, 2009

Tenants Claim Negligence at Flatbush Gardens

Tenants at the 59-building, rent-stabalized, East Flatbush housing complex called Flatbush Gardens (previously Vanderveer Estates) claim that the owner, Clipper Equity, is neglecting repairs in order to drive out tenants and drive up rents. "You call, but they never come to fix anything," one tenant of 25 years told the Daily News. Needed repairs include flooring in disrepair and exposed or non-functioning outlets. Tenants also claim that Clipper began charging $30 air-conditioner fees as part of its intimidation tactics, and raised rents in stabalized apartments beyond what is legally permissible. The owners will renovate an apartment as soon as tenants vacate, tenants say, but ignore maintenance requests for occupied units. Finally, the tenants point to television and subway ads for the complex as more evidence that the owners are trying to attract new money. A Clipper spokesperson said that the owner works through all maintenance requests, and highlights $10 million in upgrades such as new elevators, intercom systems, and playgrounds. Tenants say these are simply cosmetic upgrades, and a lawyer representing them told the News, "It's clear the landlord wants to bring in new business." GMAP P*Shark
Landlords Letting Flatbush Gardens Rot to Flush Us Out [Daily News]
Rent Wars: Flatbush Gardens Achieves Stuy Town Dream [Curbed]
Image by Nicholas Strini/PropertyShark

October 6, 2009

Closing Bell: Flatbush of Yore

We biked past this three-sided, free-standing mural on the corner of Parkside and Ocean in Flatbush the other day and snapped a picture along the way. The mural has storefronts like Woolworth's, Sears, and Bill's Discount as well as what looks like older homes and local citizens. Specter, the artist who created the paintings, also known as Gabriel Reese, writes on her site that the mural illustrates "stories and memories from senior citizens in Flatbush," and it looks like she received either cooperation or funding from the Department of Transportation and the International Studio & Curatorial Program. It's definitely a nice addition to the wide swath of sidewalk outside the Q train station, and worth a look if you're in the area. GMAP

September 22, 2009

Flatbush Streetlamp Project Draws Criticism

A $4.7 million project to replace 500 working streetlamps in Flatbush with antique bishop's crook lamps has met with local resistance, reports the Daily News. Some residents do not understand the utility of spending $10,000 per lamp (standard streetlamps cost $4,000 each) when the current fixtures work just fine and when the neighborhood could spend the money elsewhere, such as streets and sidewalks in disrepair. "It's ridiculous," Kent Thomas, 24, told the News. "The lights we have work fine. There are hungry people in this neighborhood who need help; we need shelters and soup kitchens." The project, which is half complete, received funding from the borough president's 2007 capital budget. In contrast, Brooklyn Heights has launched a similar, $2.7 million campaign to install bishop's crook streetlamps, with support from the Brooklyn Heights Association. Whereas opponents of both projects decry the waste of funds, the BHA defended the new street lights, saying they are beautiful, they enhance the neighborhood, and they are historically significant.
Flatbush Street Lamp Replacement a Dud [NY Daily News]
Brooklyn Heights' Lights [Brownstoner]

September 8, 2009

House of the Day: 333 Winthrop Street

Though a little off the beaten track from most of the houses we tend to profile, 333 Winthrop Street grabbed our attention because it had a low price tag (of $419,000) and appeared to have some nice old bones. When we started digging a little deeper, however, we discovered the real bummer about the two-family house: The block it's on is dominated by a stretch of unattractive newish townhouses that look like they were built as affordable housing a couple of decades ago. So while we still think the house itself has promise, the whole deal's looking a lot less interesting to us now.
333 Winthrop Street [Century 21] GMAP P*Shark

July 30, 2009

City Council Approves Two Three More Rezonings

We don't have much to go on other than a couple of tweets that came across the transom last night (see, non-believers, Twitter can be useful!), but apparently, the City Council approved ~~two~~ three rezonings (in addition to the Coney Island vote) yesterday, the Greenpoint-Williamsburg Contextual Rezoning and the Flatbush Rezoning. Way to go! Update: And Dumbo too!

June 19, 2009

City Planning Approves Flatbush Rezoning

Three and a half months after certifying the Flatbush Rezoning Plan for the public review process, the City Planning Commission gave its official seal of approval to the ne set of contextual building rules for the 180-block area that encompasses, among others, Caton Park, Beverley Square West and East, Ditmas Park West, and South Midwood. All that's left before this baby becomes law is sign-off from the City Council, which is likely to happen in late July. For details on the rezoning, check out the City Planning website.
CPC approves Flatbush Rezoning Proposal [Flatbush Gardener]
City Planning OK's Flatbush Rezoning Plan for ULURP [Brownstoner]
Flatbush Rezoning in the Works [Brownstoner]

June 2, 2009

Flatbush Rezoning Can't Come Soon Enough

The 60-day ULURP period for the Flatbush Rezoning plan concludes this week with a hearing at City Planning on Wednesday night. Unfortunately the downzoning, which affects approximately 180 blocks and has particular impact on the historic areas of Victorian Flatbush did not come soon enough to save this place at 248 Stratford Road in Ditmas Park, notes the Ditmas Park Blog. We shudder to think what its replacement will look like. McMansion anyone?

May 13, 2009

Closing Bell: Visit 9 in '09

The Beat has all the info on a new tourism initiative launched by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn, and Council Member Melissa Mark-Viverito. Nine in ‘09 encourages residents to "explore nine highlighted, culturally-diverse neighborhoods across the five boroughs with distinct cultural, retail, dining and entertainment offerings." Don't have the cash to go on a vacation this summer? Nine in '09 outlines the perfect staycation. You can view sample itineraries with neighborhood information here. For that staycation in Brooklyn, find out what Brighton Beach and Flatbush have to offer (like a visit to the Flatbush Caton Market).
Photo by Ana Rose.

March 24, 2009

Cool Map: Flatbush Landmarks

One of seven documents Community Board 14 has assembled in anticipation of its hearing on the Flatbush Rezoning proposal now working its way through ULURP (and approved recently by City Planning) is a map of all the landmarked structures in the area. We cropped the area most densely populated by historic structures, but you can click here to see the full, large version. The CB14 hearing on the matter is scheduled for 7 p.m. on April 2 at PS 249 at Caton Avenue and Marlborough Road.
City Planning OK's Flatbush Rezoning Plan for ULURP [Brownstoner]
Public Hearing Scheduled for April 2nd [CB14]

March 4, 2009

Brooklyn Food & Drink Round-Up

Photo by Brewing the Perfect Beer
Sixpoint and Frankies to Partner Up?
Eater shares an "unsubstantiated and somewhat far fetched rumor" that "the Franks (of the Frankies Spuntinos and Prime Meats) are working in conjunction with Shane Welch of Sixpoint Craft Ales to open a cafe on Court Street and (yes and) a Frankies beer garden in the vicinity of—or perhaps even in—the current space of the Sixpoint Brewery." Eater also notes that neither Welch nor anyone at Frankies will confirm this rumor, "but it's something to watch out for. "

A Closer Look at Glass Shop
Last week, we reported on the new Crown Heights coffee house, Glass Shop. According to Grub Street, they're open and serving "Australian-style espressos ($2.50) and lattes ($3 for 8 oz.). No drip for now, but there’s also a selection of PG Tips teas and simple sandwiches (ham and egg, sardine) as well as egg specials in the morning... and in warmer weather there’ll be a 600-square-foot garden in the back." Has anybody been in yet?

Where to Wet Your Whistle
The bar at Prime Meats is officially open, and Time Out New York posted their "wallet-friendly" cocktail menu — but TONY also reviews the well-crafted cocktails at the less-hyped Jack the Horse Tavern in Brooklyn Heights: "the Robbie Robbie, a cockle-warming spin on the Scotch-based Rob Roy, which enlists Luxardo’s cinnamon-flavored bitter, Amaro Abano, to spicy effect. The Dos Amentes (tequila, mescal, Cherry Heering, dry vermouth, lime juice and cognac-almond syrup) is a rich tequila drink that allows the spirit’s aromatic, vegetal character to shine through."

After the jump: Eating out in Clinton Hill, CSA news, beloved butcher closes up shop in Coney Island, Dom DeMarco hits up the Pizza Hall of Fame, and the Brooklyn Inn adds more seating...

Continue reading "Brooklyn Food & Drink Round-Up"

City Planning OK's Flatbush Rezoning Plan for ULURP

The New York City Planning Commission certified the Flatbush Rezoning Proposal on Monday, ushering in the 60-day public review period at the beginning of the ULURP process. The rezoning covers approximately 180 blocks between and paves the way for a more contextual development and preservation of existing detached and row houses. “Flatbush is one of the city’s most architecturally diverse and breathtakingly beautiful residential neighborhoods," said Planning Commissioner Amanda Burden. “Mayor Bloomberg’s strategy to protect the city’s lower-density neighborhoods while providing opportunities for new and affordable housing is exemplified by this comprehensive proposal." For all the gorey details about boundaries, height limits and contextual zoning districts, check out the press release. The neighborhoods most affected by the proposed rezoning, notes Flatbush Gardener, are Caton Park, Beverley Square West and East, Ditmas Park West, and South Midwood.
Flatbush Rezoning Proposal Certified [Flatbush Gardener]
Flatbush Rezoning in the Works [Brownstoner]

December 10, 2008

What's it Like in Flatbush?

That's what Brooklyn Based is asking, following up on their series of neighborhood investigations. "What began as a series of swanky developments in the early 1900s, luring white, upper class residents from Brooklyn Heights, is now attracting professionals and ex-Park Slopers to the stately homes of “Victorian Flatbush” — a term that’s only three decades old," they write. Flatbush has attracted immigrants from everywhere: Italians and Jews, Caribbeans, Pakistanis and Southeast Asians. Within the sprawling neighborhood are its mini-enclaves: Prospect Park South, Ditmas Park, Fiske Terrace, Wingate, South Midwood, Midwood Park and West Midwood. For the scoop on life in the 'bush, they interview a young couple, one originally from the Bahamas, the other with Trinidadian parents. Their thoughts: "I like Flatbush, it’s convenient to everything I need and the apartment is big and affordable." The food? "We walk to Kensington for non-Caribbean food, but there’s a Japanese restaurant [Sushi Tatsu III] up the block and there’s Tex Mex [Tex Mex Fresco] and there’s a Spanish spot [La Cabana Rodriguez Restaurant] that you can sit and eat, maybe have drinks." Neighborhood changes? "For the first time in life, my neighbors are Caucasian. You see them jogging, skateboarding, food shopping, with children in strollers, walking their dogs."
What's It Like in Flatbush [Brooklyn Based]
Photo by Rufus Mangrove.

November 10, 2008

TD Bank Furthering Affordable Housing in Brooklyn

Just last week, we noted that TD banks had been replacing Commerce banks all over town. Well, they're planning on being good neighbors indeed. According to a press release we received, they're awarding CAMBA Housing Ventures (CHV) $100,000 for a 53-unit affordable housing development at 97 Crooke Avenue in Flatbush; McBrooklyn reported this, too. (We also learned last week that such supportive housing developments don't negatively impact surrounding property values.) On-site at the building: case management, community rooms, and a landscaped back patio and garden. Twenty of the 53 units are aimed at folks making $30,000 or less, while 32 are targeted for "formerly homeless individuals exiting the New York City Shelter system." The design firm is Dattner Architects, also responsible for the Catsimatidis project on Myrtle.

November 7, 2008

Fewer Mortgages for Minority Communities

Brooklyn mortgages dropped 18 percent in 2007, reports the Daily News, in line with the city's statistics. But it turns out the number of mortgages was chopped in half, or more, in poorer, minority neighborhoods, which are bearing the brunt of the foreclosure crisis — they call it the "tale of two Brooklyns." "The number of mortgages issued fell by 60% in Brownsville, 58% in Bushwick, 57% in East New York and 45% in East Flatbush," they write. "Experts say the declines are due to a combination of the drying up of the subprime market and lending discrimination by banks reluctant to make loans — even to qualified buyers — in those neighborhoods." Now for the other Brooklyn: the number of mortgages rose 48 percent in Brooklyn Heights and Fort Greene; 11 percent in Williamsburg and Greenpoint; and stayed the same in the Slope.
Mortgages Plunge by 50% in Some Minority Neighborhoods [NY Daily News]
Photo by Jimmy Legs.

October 8, 2008

Brownstoner Food & Drink Round-Up

Beer Table: Now Serving the Most Expensive Brunch in Brooklyn
427 B 7th Avenue (between 14th and 15th Streets), Park Slope
"On weekends they've just started serving a $23 brunch menu inspired by the mid-morning Bavarian meal of weisswurst (white sausage), a pretzel, and weissbier (white beer). Weisswurst is fresh sausage made from veal, pork, cardamom, and other spices, then boiled and served in its cooking water... They're served with two extra-crispy Belgian style waffles piled high with greenmarket fruits, a spoonful of some of the best butter I've ever tasted--it's from Evans Farmhouse Creamery in Norwich, NY--and a 500 ml glass of Schneider Weisse." [BA Foodist]

Newish in East Flatbush: Jerk-a-Rama
704 Rogers Avenue (near Lenox Road); (718) 284-4100
"Jerk chicken at the newish Jerk-a-Rama is deeply smoky and cooked 'damn near perfectly,' wleatherette reports. Spicing could be stronger and the hot sauce is too sweet, she adds, but this place is a keeper, 'a solid B/B+.'" [CHOW's Outer Borough Digest]

Two Newbies on Atlantic
Slice reports that a new brick oven pizza place, La Pizzetta, has opened at 145 Atlantic between Clinton and Henry (in the old Bouillabaisse/Soju/Dragon Lounge/Buck's spot). Chowhound EJC says that a barbecue place called Dallas Jones "is moving into the Old Red Pepper takeout Chinese space next to Magnetic Field (RIP)... One more new restaurant to note — on Henry St, just south of Atlantic, the old TV Repair shop has a building permit in the window for a restaurant and bar. Any ideas what that is?"

After the jump: The New Yorker visits James, another one bites the dust in Park Slope, Time Out offers dates with chefs, bakers, and barkeeps, and Hope & Anchor gets a TV spot...

Continue reading "Brownstoner Food & Drink Round-Up"

Flatbush Gardener on Flatbush Rezoning: Thumbs Up

Our friends at Flatbush Gardener have given the DCP's Flatbush revised rezoning plan, presented to CB14 last month, a review. More below.

From everything I've heard and seen about this second draft, they got it right. In general, lots that are 50x100 feet will get the R3X designation, while lots that are 40x100 will get R4A. This is a more tailored approach than the broad brush of R4A that was painted over Ditmas Park West and South Midwood in the first draft. They really listened to the concerns of residents, went back and re-drafted to address them. The free-standing homes responsible for the physical character of this area of Flatbush will be protected. All of Flatbush will be protected against unlimited height residential development. There are new opportunities for commercial development, and incentives for affordable housing. It's hard to find something to critique in this draft.

We spoke with CB 14's chair Alvin Berk, who says the DCP has been very responsive to community input, but they take no official position until the formal proposal is finished and certified for the ULURP process. "We won't really see the shape of this until it goes through those public hearings," he says, which might happen by early 2009. What do you guys think?
Flabush Rezoning Moving Forward [Flatbush Life]
New Flatbush Rezoning Proposal Gets It Right [Flatbush Gardener]
Flatbush Rezoning in the Works [Brownstoner]

September 29, 2008

House of the Day: 2777 Bedford Avenue

We included 2777 Bedford Avenue in our Open House Picks back in January when it was listed at $649,000. It still hasn't sold and the price is now down to $599,000. (Judging from the differing sets of photos in the new Mary Kay Gallagher listing versus the photos in the original Brooklyn Properties listing, the sellers have already moved out, suggesting there may be some urgency to the sale now.) We have a little crush on this house Colonial charmer and hope someone who appreciates its historic details comes along and buys it. For those readers who complain about there not being enough lower-priced houses featured, this is as nice a house as you're going to find in the $600,000 range. Of course, it requires that you want to live in the Brooklyn College area.
2777 Bedford Avenue [Brooklyn Properties] GMAP P*Shark
2777 Bedford Avenue [Mary Kay/NYT]
Open House Picks 1/25/08 [Brownstoner]

September 3, 2008

Big Boxes Go to Flatbush

The 300,000-square-foot Triangle Junction development in Flatbush had been having a bit of trouble finding tenants, the New York Times reports, until Target saved the day. The idea was to "rejuvenate an anemic mix of mostly small retailers at Flatbush and Nostrand Avenues," but since the two-story, 225,000-square-foot Target — the company's largest — signed up in April, more chains are trickling in: David’s Bridal, Children’s Place, Payless ShoeSource, and Applebee’s. Two ground floor spots are still open, and rents are rising all around the area; retail space rents "within a two-block radius of the intersection have doubled, or in some cases tripled, over the last two years, to about $100 a square foot annually," according to the Times.
Big Stores in Odd Shapes Arriving in Brooklyn [NY Times]
Flatbush Junction Target Coming Soon [Brownstoner]
Photo from BrooklynJunction.

July 30, 2008

StreetLevel: Cornbread Diner Coming to Flatbush

Park Slope's former Cornbread Cafe is being reincarnated in Flatbush Junction as the Cornbread Diner. The Southern-style restaurant opens this Monday on Flatbush Ave between Farragut and Glenwood. The same chef/owner behind the old 7th Avenue Cornbread, Bettina Harris, is helming the new venture, which'll offer garden dining while the weather's still fine. The locals certainly seem excited about the development: "Three cheers to Bettina Harris for gracing one of Brooklyn's most
"epicuriously challenged" strips with some comfort food," quoth the blog Flatbush Pigeon. "We need it out here!"
Big Flatbush News! [Flatbush Pigeon] GMAP

April 23, 2008

Caton Avenue Condo Plans For Sale: Flatbush Edition

Picture%202.png Yet another Caton Avenue property is for sale with approved plans for condos, this one in Prospect Lefferts Gardens. Last week, we wrote about 417 Caton Avenue, on the market for $1.35 million, and Caton On the Park (technically on Caton Place, which is really close to Caton Avenue), where construction on 107 apartments abruptly stopped with 40 percent of the work done. This newest property has plans to build 27 apartments and 24,400 square feet, only a few blocks away from Prospect Park. Asking price is $1.83 million, not much more than the $1.2 million purchase price two years ago. Think this one will be able to find a buyer?
Work Stops At Caton On the Park [Brownstoner]
417 Caton Avenue Going For Another Flip [Brownstoner]

March 17, 2008

Developer Save the Kings?

The city is once again shopping around for a developer to bring the dilapidated Loew's Kings Theatre in Flatbush back to life, according to an article in the Post. Potential grand plans for the neglected building could extend further than simply getting the 63,000-square-foot structure in working condition again; the deal might include giving a developer air rights to build residential space, a boutique hotel and retail shops. The price tag for just restoring the theater is expected to cost a whopping $70 mil. The EDC has a video on its website (developer no like read?) about the building's history that includes Marty Markowitz waxing poetic about how his first date was at the Wonder Theater. In all seriousness, though, it does seem high time for somebody to step up to the plate and hopefully broker a win-win: Brooklyn would get to see the revitalization of one its most magnificent structures, and a developer would get to make some cash off that work.
'King' of Rehabs? [NY Post]
Loews Kings Theater [EDC]
A Chance to Bring Back an Old Brooklyn Gem [Brownstoner] GMAP
Photo by marioletto.

March 5, 2008

Closing Bell: Brooklyn College's New Dorm

Brooklyn Junction dug up a fresh rendering, above, for the new building on at Farragut Road and Kenilworth Place that will provide housing for about 220 Brooklyn College students. Developer Sefi Zvieli is putting up the 8-story building, and the residence hall will be privately owned and operated (not by Brooklyn College). The dorm rooms will be ready to rent in Spring '09, according to a statement from the school.
Brooklyn College Dorm: Second Rendering [Brooklyn Junction] GMAP

February 21, 2008

Flatbush Junction Target Coming Soon

Fading Ad Blog has been chronicling the construction of Brooklyn's newest Target at Flatbush Junction (the intersection of Nostrand, Flatbush and Avenue H). The store is scheduled to open within the next month or so. Here's what the blog has to say about changes to the area:

When Canal Jeans came to Flatbush, I was astounded. They were pioneers way before the first Flatbush Starbucks replaced the only decent diner on Hillel Place. Then the banks came. We already had banks, and fast food chains, and now places to buy cell phones. To replace the municipal lot where commuters would park to take the train into “the city” to work is a Target Superstore. Now with the Congestion Pricing plans underway, where are commuters going to park? In my driveway.

Any readers foresee going to the new store?
What Difference Will Targé Make? [Fading Ad Blog] GMAP

February 14, 2008

Foreclosures of the Week

There are a couple of cute houses up for auction today that aren’t in Bed-Stuy or East New York. To the left is a turn-of-the-century, three-story Bay Ridge house that appears to have been refinanced again and again (and again) by its current owner, who took control of the property in ’02. The lien for this one stands at $787,627. To the right, meanwhile, is a Flatbush house that seems to have been owned by the same people since 1976; the lien here is a comparatively skimpy $85,753, suggesting a sadder story. Both auctions take place at 3 p.m. this afternoon at 360 Adams Street, room 261.
230 95th Street [Property Shark] GMAP
435 E 34 Street [Property Shark] GMAP