July – 2012 – Brooklyn Bugle

Brooklyn Bridge Park Raccoon Captured

July 12, 2012

Our friends at Gothamist got some scary looking photos taken last night by Bobby Finger of a ragged looking one-eyed raccoon seen climbing a chain link fence next to a walkway adjoining Pier 1 in Brooklyn Bridge Park. The critter in the photo above is another, much healthier looking Brooklyn raccoon, caught on pixels by our friend Flatbush Gardener. You may recall our publisher Homer Fink’s encounter with a raccoon two and a half years ago, right on Willow Street!

The raccoon wasn’t the first instance of mammalian wildlife (apart from the unfortunately ubiquitous Rattus norvegicus or the familiar grey squirrel) to be spotted in the Park. Our man Karl found a muskrat living in a pond next to Pier 1 in August, 2010, and named him (or her) “Dodger.” Dodger hasn’t been seen since.

Gothamist updated their post to report that Park officials confirmed that the raccoon has been captured.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/44158

From the Web

Brooklyn Bridge Park: New Pool Hours

July 12, 2012

Karl and his cam have been regular visitors to the Brooklyn Bridge Park Pool, so he was on hand for the posting of new hours for pool use that go into effect today. To accommodate more swimmers, shifts have been shortened from one hour to 45 minutes, with 15 minutes allowed for changeover. The first shift begins at 10:00 a.m. and goes to 10:45; the second from 11:00 to 11:45, and so on through 5:00 to 5:45 p.m. This will increase daily capacity by 60%. Video after the jump.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/44146

From the Web

Brooklyn Heights, DUMBO

DUMBO’s Brooklyn Bridge Park Entrance Vies To Become Pedestrian Plaza

July 12, 2012

While there’s hardly a similar open space in Brooklyn Heights, the DUMBO Improvement District is proposing an intriguing option: to close off traffic along Anchorage Place—which serves as the north entrance to Brooklyn Bridge Park—and turn it into a pedestrian plaza. A hearing on the plan was held Wednesday eve to air both sides of the proposal.

McBrooklyn reports that at least eight local businesses back the plan, citing pedestrian safety and more room for seating next to the colorfully painted Pearl Street Triangle. But Doreen Gallo, Executive Director of the DUMBO Neighborhood Alliance, believes that closing the street will take away from the “grandeur” of the neighborhood. She told the Brooklyn Eagle, “People can’t imagine this space and how this should be the Grand North Entrance to Brooklyn Bridge Park.”

Sadly, the Heights has no such “grand” entry point, after Mayor Bloomberg emphatically nixed a proposed BBP throughway from the most obvious entryway: along the southern tip of the Promenade. The best we’ve got is the coming Squibb Park Bridge that will connect the neighborhood from Columbia Heights across Furman Street to Pier One.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/44110

From the Web

Brooklyn Heights, Downtown Brooklyn, Food

iCrave Self-Serve Frozen Yogurt Opens For Biz On Court Street

July 12, 2012

Frozen yogurt shop iCrave at 115 Court Street (across from the United Arists/Regal movie theater on the Downtown BK border) has been prepping for business since BHB first noted its imminence in March. Its doors opened this week, just in time for the next summer heatwave. iCrave’s ware: self-serve frozen yogurt with “21 fantastic flavors” and “savory smoothies.”

Ironically, Yogo Monster previously gave it a whirl in the same space, serving same and shuttering in 2010, followed by failed deli/coffee shop Z-7 Cafe… not to mention a similar menu at Red Mango a few doors down at 123 Court Street. (Photo: Brownstoner)

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/44091

From the Web

Downtown Brooklyn, DUMBO

Is The Heights Flanked By Brooklyn’s Burgeoning ‘Tech Triangle’?

July 12, 2012

Is it wishful thinking or a truly sustainable business plan? A coalition that calls itself The Brooklyn Tech Triangle believes that the borough has a burgeoning technology sector, surrounding Brooklyn Heights within Downtown Brooklyn, the Brooklyn Navy Yard and DUMBO, where it claims technology tenants have proliferated into a mini Silicon Valley.

The group is now seeking formal proposals to help “solve transportation and infrastructure challenges in the area,” according to The Real Deal. The Brooklyn Tech Triangle coalition—comprising the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, the DUMBO Improvement District and Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corp.—wants to create a “master plan” that includes a team to rethink physical improvements, land use, transportation, and real estate and economic policy.

“Whether it’s computer-operated machinery, film post-production or high-end design, 21st Century manufacturing at the Navy Yard is being driven by technology innovation,” says Andrew Kimball, CEO of the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corp. “Our growth is only confined by the lack of space and access to mass transit.”

Alexandria Sica, executive director of the Dumbo Improvement District, adds that her neighborhood “has become the destination for the tech industry in New York City, and the master plan will be important to ensuring Brooklyn can keep growing its tech scene. We are looking for creative, tangible actions that we can take to meet the high demand for office space in DUMBO and ways we can grow these companies throughout the area.”

In May, two high-tech firms signed leases in the Brooklyn Navy Yard: Crye Precision, a manufacturer of body armor, secured 80,000 square feet; and Macro Sea took 50,000 square feet to create a lab that will bring together design professionals and digital manufacturers.

The Real Deal, however, counters that office space in Downtown Brooklyn had some of the highest vacancy rates in the nation late last year, although it notes, “With the arrival of New York University’s Center for Urban Science and Progress, the tide is turning in an area that traditionally housed mostly the back offices for large financial services firms.”

(Graphic: Chuck Taylor)

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/44058

From the Web

Arts and Entertainment, Events

Ballet Up? Brooklyn Ballet Teams with the Brooklyn Cyclones Monday, July 23

July 11, 2012

The Brooklyn Ballet will perform “A History of Ballet in 9 Innings” on Monday, July 23rd at 7 pm, as the Brooklyn Cyclones play the Aberdeen IronBirds at MCU Park in Coney Island. Tickets are available here. Between innings the ballet will dance the highlights of ballet history on the infield and on top of the dugouts while the Cyclones broadcast the history of ballet and baseball.

Spectators will be close to the all the action – ball and ballet — with beautiful views of the Atlantic Ocean and Luna Park just beyond left field. See 20 Brooklyn Ballet students and 9 professionals dance a mixture of ballet, hip hop and mixed movement. The event is also a fundraiser for the Brooklyn Ballet.

From the Web

Kids

Open Thread: Wednesday, July 11, 2012

July 11, 2012

Last Wednesday was the 4th of July, but let the festivities continue on this Open Thread Wednesday. Fire away!

FYI: Our bear friend pictured here lives in Palmetto Playground, located in the southwest tip of Brooklyn Heights, at State Street & Columbia Place, with the BQE behind it. According to NYC Parks, Palmetto Playground’s nomenclature was inspired by the names of its surrounding streets: Atlantic, Columbia & State. Columbia is the capitol of South Carolina, an Atlantic state, and the state tree is the Cabbage Palmetto, hence, Palmetto Playground. The park offers basketball courts, a kid’s playground and a small off-leash dog park. And, by golly, a working water fountain. (Photo: Chuck Taylor)

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/44037

From the Web

Events, Health

‘Lighten Up Brooklyn’ Focuses On Anti-Obesity & Healthy Living July 19 At Borough Hall

July 10, 2012

Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz will join entertainer Ben Vereen Thursday, July 19 for a day’s events to celebrate “Lighten Up Brooklyn” on the Borough Hall Plaza at 200 Joralemon Street. Sponsored by the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation and the New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene, the event centers on anti-obesity and healthy lifestyle initiatives. It was first launched by Markowitz 11 years ago.

Activities include dancing for older adults led by Mark Morris Dance Center, IntenSati workout, Zumba for youth, a power walk, yoga and capoeira. Events runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, see here. See the schedule here.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/44031

From the Web

Celebrity Residents

Spike Lee’s Brooklyn Childhood Homes

July 10, 2012

FOLLOW-UP: After a spirited conversation on Brooklyn Heights Blog and sister Cobble Hill Blog regarding Sunday’s post about Spike Lee’s take on his childhood Cobble Hill digs, via New York magazine’s Vulture blog, here’s a look at the two Brooklyn homes he lived in. At left is 1480 Union Street in Crown Heights; on the right is 186 Warren Street in Cobble Hill. (Photos: Brownstoner)

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/44021

From the Web

Downtown Brooklyn

Gentrification: Clothier Brooklyn Industries Coming To Fulton Mall

July 10, 2012

Gentrification continues along the Fulton Street Mall corridor, this time with Brooklyn Industries coming to 342 Fulton Street, close to the entrance. An HSBC bank was previously on the site. Brownstoner shares that the Brooklyn-logo clothier has seven locations in the borough, including shops in DUMBO and Cobble Hill, along with a sprinkling in Manhattan. A tipster says that the store is set to open by the end of July.

Add Brooklyn Industries to the new Starbucks and Gap Factory Store along Fulton, as well as recently opened and/or coming soon Shake Shack, H&M, T.J. Maxx and Century 21.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/43998