Archives

Brooklyn Heights, News

Scott Stringer Proposes Brooklyn Bridge Park—On The Other Side Of East River

February 7, 2013

Manhattan borough president Scott M. Stringer has proposed a beachfront park with kayaking, marshlands and a pedestrian bridge—on the other side of the Brooklyn Bridge—in a plan that appears to mimic many of Brooklyn Bridge Park’s amenities.

Stringer’s East River Blueway Plan, announced Thursday in his State of the Borough speech, calls for a public beach and kayaking directly beneath the Brooklyn Bridge, creation of two boat launches at Stuyvesant Cove at the ends of 20th & 23rd Streets, and installation of marshlands & sea walls in vulnerable flood zones. He also discussed a pedestrian bridge to elevate bike and pedestrian paths over F.D.R. Drive at 14th Street.

The New York Times reports today that the plan involved public meetings with community groups and consultations with seven city and state agencies. Stringer: “We want to open the waterfront from a recreation perspective, but we also want to protect our fragile waterfront by recognizing the reality of storm surges.” Stringer has already pledged $3.5 million in capital funding toward new marshlands.

Brooklyn Bridge Park opened its Boathouse at Pier 1 for kayaking and community rowing last June. Likewise, the much-heralded pop-up pool and BBP “beach” launched last summer on the Pier 2 uplands of Brooklyn Bridge Park.


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/54977

From the Web

Brooklyn Heights, Food

Valentine’s Love For Atlantic Avenue’s Colonie Restaurant

February 4, 2013

In a recent round-up of romantic Valentine’s Day dinner destinations, AM New York gives some love to Colonie at 127 Atlantic Avenue.

The newspaper offers: “A true neighborhood spot, Colonie is a great place for a romantic dinner date in Brooklyn. The five-course prix-fixe dinner includes oysters with blood orange, fennel and speck consommé mignonette and chocolate ganache with banana ice cream, peanut brittle and caramel. $95 per person.”

BHB’s own Karl Junkerfeld notes, “The opening of Colonie is a transformative event for Brooklyn Heights, which can rival any restaurant in the greater New York City area. Bravo!” (Image: Karl Junkersfeld)


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/54856

From the Web

Brooklyn Heights, Celebrity Residents

Lena Dunham Develops New HBO Series, Covers EW

February 1, 2013

Lena Dunham’s empire continues to blow the lid off pop culture, as she covers the February 8, 2013 Entertainment Weekly with the headline, “How (She) Became the Voice Of A Generation.” Add that to the news that the “Girls” creator and Brooklyn Heights rez will pen a new pilot for HBO based on the upcoming memoir “All Dressed Up And Everywhere To Go,” by legendary Bergdorf Goodman personal shopper Betty Halbreich. Entertainment Weekly reports that “while there’s no word on whether show’s portrayal of the now 85-year-old Halbreich—once described as ‘part Angela Lansbury and part Lucille Ball’—will be more Golden Girls than Girls, it’s safe to assume the wardrobe will include plenty of designer labels.”

Dunham will work on the project with her “Girls” co-showrunner, Jenni Konner.


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/54773

From the Web

Around Brooklyn

Park Slope Baking Up New Outpost For Historic Leske’s

January 30, 2013

The beloved Leske’s Scandinavian Bakery in Bay Ridge will be opening a second location in Park Slope, at 588 5th Avenue, a space last occupied by Sweet Treasures Bakery. Leske’s has been a Brooklyn institution since 1961, and has 5,700+ Facebook followers, reports the South Slope News.

The bakery is renowned for traditional Scandinavian baking, Danish, B&W cookies and Brooklyn blackout cakes. According to its Facebook page, the South Slope location will open before Valentine’s Day. (Photo: South Slope News)


Source: Cobble Hill Blog
http://cobblehillblog.com/archives/8177

From the Web

Brooklyn Heights

Tale of the Tweets: Brooklyn Heights Library Hearing

January 29, 2013

The Friends of the Brooklyn Heights Branch Library held a Trustees Meeting on Tuesday night addressing the impending sale of the building. As previously reported, it was  announced on January 15 several BPL branches would be impacted as the system shifts to digital media and services. The current Brooklyn Heights’ Cadman Plaza branch will be closing and be “temporarily relocated.”  

The Brooklyn Eagle was on at the hearing and live tweeted highlights. (The “star” of the evening was apparently Josh Nachowitz—pictured here—the library’s VP for Government and Community Relations.)

Brooklyn Heights Library Hearing 1/29/13

Storified by Brooklyn Bugle· Tue, Jan 29 2013 17:59:52

Hearing on closing ["temporary relocation"] of Brooklyn Heights library and permanent biz library move is on.http://www.brooklyneagle.com/articles/library-block-plans-sell-brooklyn-heights-branch-building-gets-hearing-tuesday-night …Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Corrected link to Eagle’s library story: http://www.brooklyneagle.com/articles/library-block-plans-sell-brooklyn-heights-branch-building-gets-hearing-tuesday-night ••• Live tweet of Friends of BH Library trustees meeting will begin shortly.Brooklyn Daily Eagle
While BH library remains open, weekly booksale (which benefits the library) will continues, Noon-2 pm on Fridays.Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Josh Nachowitz, VP Govt and Community Relations, begins: "The BPL has no intention of going anywhere … of abandoning Brooklyn Heights."Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Nachowitz: Brooklyn Public Library’s ability to serve Brooklyn Heights is handicapped by limitations of current building. #BPLBrooklyn Daily Eagle
Nachowitz: Brooklyn Public Library’s ability to serve Brooklyn Heights is handicapped by limitations of current building. #BPLBrooklyn Daily Eagle
Nachowitz: "We hv been faced w/very severe infrastructure issues with this building" A/C cannot be repaired; wld cost 3-1/2mil to replace.Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Nachowitz: #BPL is "looking at ways to partner w/pvt sector developer who can bld a brand new state of the art branch library on this site."Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Nachowitz: It’s a lengthy process that wld begin fairly "soon."Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Nachowitz downplay biz library, says biz libr not designed for dtown biz cmty and #BPL has been thinking of movg it for long time.Brooklyn Daily Eagle
First question to Nachowitz: "On whose authority" does library seek to impose giant new bldg on BHeights cmmty?Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Confirmed by Friends’ secy: A/C was renovated in 1993 and it broke first summer. [It’s malfunctioned ever since.]Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Nachowitz: Bldg needs 3-1/2mil for a/c, 9+mil for infrastructure fix. Planned library replacement isan "opportunity for this community."Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Q: "How long will we go w/o library serv while they’re doing all this stuff?" Nachowitz promises temp loc but "can’t tell you" how long.Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Nachowitz: Other option: bldg will close. "If we don’t do something w/ this building we will not be able to provide library services."Brooklyn Daily Eagle
During 20 yrs when a/c’s been broken, why hasn’t it been fixed? Nachowitz says, essentially, tht Bklyn Heights was low #BPL priority.Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Nachowitz denies #BPL has made it a priority to craft real estate deals — except for Brooklyn Heights branch.Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Nachowitz asked if #BPL would rule out doing biz w/ Forest City Ratner. A: "Absolutely not."Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Audience member calls plan to transfer ownership of library site "from public to private" "sad and tragic." #BPLBrooklyn Daily Eagle
Nachowitz said temporary space "ideally" would be a physical space. Doesn’t discount a Bookmobile.Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Retired #BPL librarian points out that biz library’s dtown locaiton is much more accessible than Grand Army Plz branch.Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Nachowitz asked what other fundraising options #BPL looked at to avoid developer "bait and switch." Says raising pvt $ is "very difficult."Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Councilman Levin rises to defend the process and calm nerves. "The comty does hv a very substantive role in whatever happens."Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Levin urges #BPL to "come up w/ solutions that provide a continuity of service" in coming summer.Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Levin says process would be different than at Atlantic Yards and BBridge Park.Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Nachowitz says zoning allows for 10 FAR (roughly 10x lot size), about a 170,000 sq ft bldg (incl 15,000 sq ft for library).Brooklyn Daily Eagle
BHA Exec Dir Judy Stanton asks Nachowitz to promise to consult w/ "very small" group from community.Brooklyn Daily Eagle
BHA Exec Dir Judy Stanton asks Nachowitz to promise to consult w/ "very small" group from community.Brooklyn Daily Eagle
From library hearing, that’s a wrap. More from reporter Mary Frost @BklynEagle website in the morning: http://www.BrooklynEagle.comBrooklyn Daily Eagle
@BklynEagle All yr followers now craving nachos. "Thus began The Great Brooklyn Nacho Stampede of 2013."Carrie

Photo via Brooklyn Daily


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/54669

From the Web

Arts and Entertainment, Brooklyn Heights, Celebrity Residents, News

Björk Posts Kickstarter Plea To Launch ‘Biophilia Educational Program’

January 28, 2013

Singer, songwriter & Brooklyn Heights resident Björk wants your cash, baby! The artist has posted a plea on Kickstarter to raise funds to develop a Biophilia app for Android/Windows 8 to support her Biophilia Educational Program.

She writes on the webbie…

the biophilia educational program is a new way to teach children about science and music. it has met with success in many cities, sparking interest from kids and educators all over the world, from south america to east asia to africa. the most interest has come from students from low-income households and schools with underfunded art budgets, and the only way to bring the project to those people is to have biophilia reprogrammed for android and windows 8. the biophilia educational project is strictly non-profit and volunteer-based, and that’s why we need your help.
warmth
björk

Check out her video and read lots more on Kickstarter.


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/54619

From the Web

Arts and Entertainment, Downtown Brooklyn, News

Upcoming City Point ‘Alamo Drafthouse Cinema’ Offers Booze & Food With Flicks

January 27, 2013

The UA Court Street Stadium 12 movie theater in Brooklyn Heights is about to lose its lock on the cineplex monopoly around town. Plans are confirmed for the 900-seat, seven-screen Alamo Drafthouse Cinema to open in 2015 in Downtown Brooklyn’s City Point. The upscale Austin-based biz is known for serving food & booze to theatergoers in their seats, offering indie & mainstream first-run movies, alongside repertory programming. Alamo has a strict no talking, no texting policy.

The theater will be built during Phase II of Fulton Mall’s mixed-use City Point development, which was updated this month with a new rendering from architects CookFox. The second phase also comprises two highrise residential rental towers (a 19-story with affordable housing & a 30-story market rate rental) and a permanent Market Hall selling fresh food and showcasing Brooklyn vendors.

City Point will be built in three phases. Phase I at One Dekalb was completed last fall. The second phase is expected to wrap in 2015, with Alamo Drafthouse Cinema as a primary anchor. It joins coming retail neighbors Armani Exchange, Century 21, H&M, TJ Maxx and Raymoor & Flanigan.

The theater chain currently has theaters in 10+ cities, including San Francisco, Denver and Houston; with plans to open locations on NYC’s Upper West Side and in Yonkers. The Brooklyn lease was first tipped by the Wall Street Journal in December. Charter Realty & Development brokered the 43,842/sf deal.


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/54576

From the Web

Around Brooklyn, Existential Stuff

Tale of the Tweets: The Gowanus Dolphin #RIP

January 25, 2013

A wayward dolphin found its way into the Gowanus Canal this afternoon. The internet went wild with anticipation and excitement around it’s potential rescue. However a happy ending was not in the cards for the sea mammal we nicknamed “Vito”:

CBS NY: The dolphin that appeared to have lost its way and became stranded in the Gowanus Canal died early Friday evening.

The wayward animal stopped moving shortly after 5:30 p.m. after getting wedged between a rock and a pillar below the Union Street Bridge, 1010 WINS’ Sonia Rincon reported.

Witnesses said they saw the dolphin flop around and struggle and hit its head against a pillar before it stopped moving and began floating.

Gowanus Dolphin, We Hardly Knew Ye

A dolphin lost in the Gowanus Canal, who we named "Vito", enchanted us on January 24.

Storified by Brooklyn Bugle· Fri, Jan 25 2013 18:27:27

http://yfrog.com/hsrvnmhj there is a #dolphin the the #gowanus canakLeslie Albrecht
Sad to see a dolphin playing in the Gowanus. Police and film crews standing around watching. #Brooklyn http://pic.twitter.com/nCKSC5biJeremy Andrew Busch
It’s sad to watch this dolphin stuck in the Gowanus Canal. More depressing to see all the black stuff being churned. http://pic.twitter.com/b3qE5ArJDan Rice
New Gowanus passtime: looking for the dolphin. Seagulls seem unperturbed. http://pic.twitter.com/OmIhVXdbBenjamin Anastas
Never, ever thought I’d see this: dolphin in the Gowanus Canal. Hope this fella will be ok. #Brooklyn http://pic.twitter.com/undI4vKRLouis Rosenfeld
NYPD is on the scene at Gowanus Canal. Save the dolphin! http://pic.twitter.com/FTFHKOKXMike Hayes
There’s a dolphin miserably trapped in the Gowanus Canal. Poor dolphin! http://pic.twitter.com/vRP5uFGECori S
Upper left n image: dolphin keeps moving farther & farther up #Gowanus http://pic.twitter.com/SkhuxbEYGowanusYourFaceOff
Dolphin in Brooklyn’s Gowanus canal right now (one of the most toxic waterways in US) http://pic.twitter.com/dnjrWURbRyan Murdock
Dolphin trapped in notoriously toxic Gowanus canal. Biologists, NYPD waiting thru tide cycle before possible rescue http://pic.twitter.com/ToG5zfhYAlex Silverman
@BeerVampire A Dolphin is trapped in the Gowanus Canal right now, Animal Rescue is on the scene! http://pic.twitter.com/UBbqD99ESalvatore Adelfio
People crowding bridge to get pictures of stranded dolphin. #Brooklyn Gowanus Canal. @eyewitnessnyc http://pic.twitter.com/nPTcd7aaTim Fleischer
Dolphin watchers on #Brooklyn Gowanus bridge to see the stranded mammal. @eyewitnessnyc http://pic.twitter.com/3OAnVfAvTim Fleischer
If we had heeded this man’s advice (from 1892!) about the Gowanus Canal, that poor dolphin wouldnt be stuck there today http://pic.twitter.com/0uf7NwJEThe Bowery Boys NYC
Reporting from Carroll Gardens, where a #dolphin is stranded in the #Gowanus canal. #1010WINS http://pic.twitter.com/uhWOPIgWSonia Rincon
#dolphin stuck in the polluted #gowanus canal http://pic.twitter.com/mt9lLC2dFelicia R
Whale and dolphin expert David Kirby just showed up. He is not hopeful. #Gowanus #ParkSlope http://pic.twitter.com/KsyBetHqAmber Marlow
Dolphin stranded in the Gowanus Canal! Injured. Hopefully will swim out w/ tide http://pic.twitter.com/DIx4DHGakat egan
#dolphin stranded in Gowanus Canal #Brooklyn My Live report @ 4 & 5 @eyewitnessnyc http://pic.twitter.com/ITtmLtw2Tim Fleischer
On the Gowanus scene. Kid:"I see the dolphin!"Mom: "no honey, that’s just floating garbage" http://pic.twitter.com/VTWVLWuhDavid Epstein
The gowanus dolphin watchers. http://pic.twitter.com/gNFGbrv9Robert O. Simonson
The Gowanus Canal Dolphin. #GowanusDolphin http://pic.twitter.com/4GoBm5VYRobert O. Simonson
A dolphin in the Gowanus Canal. http://pic.twitter.com/AechlL9RMadeline Maldonado
Basically the dolphin nose that keeps peaking out of the water just shattered my cold heart in to Gowanus. http://pic.twitter.com/dG7TuPFGThe Art Counsel
Dolphin trapped in the highly contaminated Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn. #gowanusdolphin http://pic.twitter.com/mMJS034hSurveyBTHS
NEW photo of stranded dolphin in Gowanus Canal. http://pic.twitter.com/OiAtTNLJTim Fleischer
Craziest thing dude decided to go hug the dolphin in the Gowanus. Cuddled for a bit then dolphin finally headed out http://pic.twitter.com/siXsN4WTAaron Stewart-Ahn
Just took this pic of #gowanus #dolphin I’d be very surprised if it had any sight left at this point http://pic.twitter.com/2IxVI8NcFred Hunter
Poor Gowanus dolphin. I don’t care what they say, you’re still beautiful. http://pic.twitter.com/PpuSvkzIConor McDonough
sad trapped gowanus dolphin. see sad photo http://pic.twitter.com/meAT5Z2LPeter Jacobson
Dolphin stranded in the Gowanus, stuck in garbage and snow. http://pic.twitter.com/rRTFnHAkAlison Bowen
A dolphin swims in Brooklyn. Earlier today this dolphin was spotted in the Gowanus Canal. Rescue crews now on scene.. http://pic.twitter.com/Tf8GLlW4billkōtsatōs
Went to see the #Gowanus dolphin at 4:30 and have just heard he died. So sad, I really hoped for a happy ending http://pic.twitter.com/CPD3LQNqKristin Bradfield
The dolphin that was found swimming in the Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn has died http://nyti.ms/10Up2mzThe New York Times
I was out covering the story of the Gowanus dolphin shortly before it died. It wasn’t a good scene. http://pic.twitter.com/3tcnKz5VColby Hamilton

Photo: @frosenblum via Twitter

From the Web

Downtown Brooklyn, Landmark Preservation

Landmarks Unamused By Interior Alterations At Former Gage & Tollner Space

January 25, 2013

The Landmarks Preservation Commission voted unanimously to deny an application to legalize changes made to the interior of the former Gage and Tollner Restaurant at 372 Fulton Street. The landmarked interior, which has housed a discount jewelry store since 2010 (formerly Arby’s and TGI Friday’s) has already faced mounting fines because it masked the interior decor without permission.

Curbed reports that the applicant insists its display and lighting system doesn’t penetrate the walls—but Landmarks sees it differently, saying that a majority of the historic detail is gone. Several gas lamp fixtures remain, while an arch was placed in storage.

According to an LPC spokesman, the building owner’s architect described these changes as “interior desecration” and actually apologized on behalf of the tenants. Commission Vice Chair Pablo E. Vengoechea noted that “hiding something behind something is not a preservation strategy. You need to expose what’s there.” The tenant must now submit a new plan and file a permit application for the interior. (Top Photo: Chuck Taylor/2010)


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/54502

From the Web

Around Brooklyn

New Art Spaces Open On Cobble Hill’s Bergen Street

January 25, 2013

Two cultural spaces are opening at 47 Bergen Street in Cobble Hill, next door to the Invisible Dog gallery: Recession Art, an affordable art gallery and store; and the Beam Center, a non-profit learning and youth arts development organization. Both organizations have held shows and events in the Invisible Dog space before, and will collaborate there again in the coming months.

Brownstoner reports that this is the first permanent location in Brooklyn for both organizations. The “Grand Re-Opening” of Recession Art is scheduled for March 9, with regular hours 1-7 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, and 1-5 p.m. on Sunday. (Photo: Brownstoner)


Source: Cobble Hill Blog
http://cobblehillblog.com/archives/8173

From the Web