June – 2012 – Brooklyn Bugle

Primary Election Tuesday, June 26

June 14, 2012

If you’re a registered Democrat (we understand there are a few around here; Brooklyn Heights has not yet had an Alferd Packer; note: though the linked piece spells his name “Alfred” it really was “Alferd”); there’s an important primary election to determine who may represent you in Congress coming up on June 26. The Brooklyn Heights Association gives us these details:

THIS MATTERS. Turn-out will be low because nobody thinks about voting in June! In the U.S.Congressional District which includes Brooklyn Heights, new boundaries and shifting populations have created a contest. Hoping to unseat our incumbent Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez are three challengers: Erik Martin Dilan, George Martinez and Dan O’Connor. Continue Reading…

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/42343

From the Web

Subway Service Alerts: Weekend and Following Week

June 14, 2012

It’s another green light weekend, as there are no, repeat no, planned disruptions affecting service at any of the local subway stations. For those planning weekend trips that involve trains not serving local stations, or service in far-flung portions of those lines that do converge here, the MTA has created an interactive subway map, The Weekender, that can help you.

The following week, the only planned change affecting service here is that from 12:30 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. Tuesday to Friday, there will be no 3 trains running in either direction. However, 2 trains will be running on the same route, serving both Clark Street and Borough Hall stations.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/42413

From the Web

Brooklyn Heights, Real Estate

Candy Factory Hits Sweet Spot: 20 Henry Street Two-Thirds Sold

June 14, 2012

When the condo project at 20 Henry Street hit the marketplace in February after years of delays & drama, asking prices at the former Peaks Mason Mints building (known as the Candy Factory) were between $450,000 and $2.56 million. That comprised studios up to 4 bedrooms, including 24 lofts (among them, six $2M+ penthouse units) and an additional 14 units in the adjacent modern structure on Poplar Street scheduled to wrap this summer.

Brokerage Stribling & Associates claimed then that 20 Henry had an 800-applicant waiting list—and it turns out they weren’t sugar-coating the building’s appeal. Brownstoner now reports that it is two-thirds sold, with 25 of 38 units spoken for.

Among them, four of the six penthouses are in contract. The largest and most expensive unit in the building, a 4-bedroom in the original factory building, is priced at $2,895,000. Closings should begin later this summer.

More history on the well-traveled build-out was featured in a Wall Street Journal article in February: The former industrial space was built in 1885 as the base of candy makers Mason Mints & Mason Dots. In the 1970s, it became housing for artists under the state’s Mitchell-Lama subsidized-housing program until the program ended in 2004.

Developers Urban Realty Partners bought the site in 2007, but weren’t able to finish a condo conversion after the imminent economic collapse. Los Angeles-based Canyon-Johnson Urban Fund stepped in and took over the project in 2010, alongside plenty of legal drama…

(Photo: Brownstoner)

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/42369

From the Web

Arts and Entertainment, Brooklyn Heights, Downtown Brooklyn, Events, Food

Saturday: Atlantic Ave. Extravaganza For Shoppers, Foodies & Families

June 14, 2012

Coming this Saturday, June 16, is the Atlantic Avenue Extravaganza, 1-5 p.m., from the BQE entrance to Fourth Avenue. The event is designed to draw shoppers, foodies, families and art lovers to the sidewalks of the thoroughfare with a lineup of special events, performances, tastings and games in the name of making all more aware of Atlantic Ave’s burgeoning commerce, culture and community.

More details on our sister Cobble Hill Blog here. The Extravaganza is sponsored by the Atlantic Ave. Business Improvement District.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/42352

From the Web

Arts and Entertainment, Events, Food

Saturday: Atlantic Avenue Extravaganza For Shoppers, Foodies & Families

June 14, 2012

Coming this Saturday, June 16, is the Atlantic Avenue Extravaganza, 1-5 p.m., all the way from the BQE entrance to Fourth Avenue. The neighborhood event is designed to draw shoppers, foodies, families and art lovers to the sidewalks of the thoroughfare with a lineup of special events, performances, demonstrations, tastings, tours and games in the name of making all more aware of Atlantic Avenue’s burgeoning commerce, culture and community.

Festivities will include a ribbon cutting ceremony led by the Brooklyn Steppers Marching Band on the sidewalk in front of the Atlantic Avenue BID office in Cobble Hill at 340 Atlantic Avenue, between Smith and Hoyt Streets, a sidewalk parade and the “Sanitation Dance,” a choreographed piece by the Modern Dance Awareness Society.

Other performers include stilt walkers, acrobats, the Bindlestiff Cavalcade of Youth All-Stars, the Balkan sounds of Raya Bass Band, an all-female percussion band, and Underground Horns. Artists from Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition (BWAC) will also participate.

Businesses along Atlantic Avenue will also host special events and tastings throughout the day. The Extravaganza is sponsored by the Atlantic Ave. Business Improvement District. See all the details here.

Source: Cobble Hill Blog
http://cobblehillblog.com/archives/7355

From the Web

Events

Cobble Hill Health Center Offers ‘Caring For Our Parents’ Thursday, June 14

June 14, 2012

The Cobble Hill Health Center and Heights & Hills will present “Caring for Our Parents… and Ourselves,” a conversation with Paula Span, author & New York Times blogger on aging issues and caregiving. The discussion takes place Thursday, June 14 at 7 p.m. at 380 Henry Street, between Congress & Warren streets. RSVP and for more information: events@globalvisionpr.com.

Source: Cobble Hill Blog
http://cobblehillblog.com/archives/7352

From the Web

Real Estate

Reminder: Montague Street BID Annual Meeting Is Today

June 14, 2012

A reminder that the 15th-annual meeting of the Montague Street District Management Assn., part of the Montague Street Business Improvement District, convenes today, Thursday June 14, 4-6 p.m., on the second floor of Eamonn’s of Brooklyn at 174 Montague Street. Addressing the group will be keynoter Seth Pinsky, President of the NYC Economic Development Corp., and guest speaker Tucker Reed, President of the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership.

To vote and actively participate in BID-related matters, members must register here. The Montague Street District Management Assn. comprises commercial property owners, commercial tenants, residential renters and/or owners and all interested non-voting interested Board members and attendees.

At the meeting, members will vote to elect Directors and on revised by-laws and policies, while bidding a fond farewell to Eamonn’s, which closes June 17.

Members may request electronic copies of information at info@MontagueBID.com or by calling 718-522-3649. For more information on the organization, contact Executive Director Brigit Pinnell at bpinnell@MontagueBID.com.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/42349

From the Web

Brooklyn Heights, Police Blotter

BHA Alert: Roofing Repair Scam

June 14, 2012

Several Heights residents who fell victim to a roofing repair scam contacted the Brooklyn Heights Association office to ask that BHB share their info so that others can avoid being similarly duped. BHA Executive Director Judy Stanton says the rogue plays the game like this: “A personable-looking man, dressed like a workman, rings the doorbell during the day and introduces himself as a contractor working on roofs nearby, where he noticed that your roof has problems that need fixing and he offers to make the needed repairs.”

He suggests going go up to your roof, where he will point out the ‘defects.’ He then negotiates a price to be paid as soon as the work is done. He’ll propose to do the work that day because he has the roofing materials close at hand. He may or may not say he needs to call a helper, depending on how receptive you appear to be. (Helpers add to the price.)
Everyone knows that there are scaffolds all over Brooklyn Heights, work goes on all the time on nearly every block, and several people I know have fallen for this scam, having paid money only to find out that no repairs were done, or they weren’t done properly. In one instance, valuables in the house were missing (cash, credit cards left out where they were visible on the way to and from the roof).
Note: The scammer is presentable, he counts on the fact that owners haven’t been to their roof lately and will take him at his word, or they may have experienced roof leaks during recent rains and welcome the plausible—and convenient—offer to repair it. Do we need to say more?
Please never let anyone you do not know into your house. Never, ever hire anyone to do work in your home without verifying their references and qualifications.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/42338

From the Web

Brooklyn Heights

Open Thread: Wednesday, June 13, 2012

June 13, 2012

Hello Wednesday. Cheers, BHB readers. Greetings to another Open Thread. Please… share what’s on your mind and talk freely, albeit courteously, amongst yourselves. (Photo: Chuck Taylor)

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/42306

From the Web

Brooklyn Heights, Real Estate

Heights Deal Of The Day: 204 Columbia Heights, $7 A Week! (In 1902, That Is)

June 12, 2012

With summer just around the corner, this is the ideal time to reserve your summer space here in Brooklyn Heights. And have I got a deal for you: 204 Columbia Heights, The Berkshire. Overlooking the Harbor. “Why put up with country inconveniences when you can find all the comforts and coolest of sea breezes at home? Unobstructed view of entire bay, elevator, electric light, telephone, one minute from Wall St. Ferry, 5 minutes from Bridge or Fulton Ferry, second & fourth floor suites, single & double rooms, including superior board & attendance.” The price: $7 and up: per week.

Of course, you would have to transport yourself back 110 years, as per an advert in today’s Brooklyn Eagle… from June 13, 1903. In addition, the Berkshire of the early 20th Century unfortunately no longer exists. The current six-story 204 Columbia Heights (pictured above & below) was built in 1925, which today, as a coop, maintains 16 units. Looks like it’s too late, after all. Sigh…

(Advert: Brooklyn Daily Eagle, June 13, 1902/Photos: Chuck Taylor)