Homer Fink – Brooklyn Bugle

Cobble Hill Among NYC’s Beta Test For Free Wi-Fi Pay Phone Hotspots

July 14, 2012

A pilot program sponsored by New York City is bringing free Wi-Fi to all-but-antiquated pay phone kiosks at selected locations in a beta test across the five burroughs. So far, 10 “hotspots” have been turned on, including two in Cobble Heights. The locales: 545 Albee Square and 2 Smith Street.

The locations join one location in Astoria at 30-94 Steinway Street, and the following Manhattan spots: SoHo: 402 West Broadway, Fur-Flower District: 458 Seventh Avenue; Theater District-Clinton: 28 West 48th Street; Grand Central-United Nations: 410 Madison Avenue; Midtown-Clinton: 1609 Broadway and 1790 Broadway; and Upper West Side: 230 West 95th Street.

Source: Cobble Hill Blog
http://cobblehillblog.com/archives/7580

From the Web

Brooklyn Heights, News

Across The River: South Street Seaport Could Rise To The Heavens

July 14, 2012

While plans continue to revamp Pier 17′s tourist trap South Street Seaport, it appears that the view across from the Brooklyn Heights Promenade might become all the more dramatic. Plans have been drafted for a skyscraper at 80 South Street that would dramatically redefine the skyline as seen from the Heights.

In the works is a proposal to erect a 300,000-square-foot, 780-foot-tall mixed-use tower comprising a hotel, residential and community space. Owner Cord Meyer Development is currently working on plans for air rights that it has purchased over several years, while Morali Architects has begun parading renderings for perusal. The design would comprise a high-tech garage on the first three levels, equaling the height of FDR drive; with a small museum above highlighting history of the Seaport; and a restaurant and spa alongside a 200-room boutique hotel. The building’s skin would be made of photovoltaic glass.

The plan awaits approvals from the City Planning Commission and the Dept. of Buildings, which could take at least a year.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/44207

From the Web

Brooklyn Heights, Real Estate

Brooklyn Bridge One Claims It’s 80% Sold Out

July 14, 2012

Our neighbors to the south in the posh Brooklyn Bridge One appear to dig their digs. According to Curbed, the condo community has sold 317 units, with 25 more units in contract, which equates to 80% sold. Just under 100 apartments remain on the market, including one- and two-bedrooms, as well as lofts with flexible floor plans. Uh, I’m not sure how that math adds up, but I’m just a word guy here. Prices start at $525,000.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/44202

From the Web

Brooklyn Heights

Forget Kustard King & Fresh Direct: How About A Raucous, Rumbling Stretch-Limo Bus?

July 14, 2012

Any Brooklyn Heights residents miffed by the buzzzz of the Kustard King ice cream truck parked along Pierrepont Street or the persistent rumbling of Fresh Direct freezer trucks at all hours might be interested to hear about the limousine-like bus parked along the entire Montague Street entrance to the Promenade Friday night.

The vehicle’s AC system was louder than a helicopter, while its posse of tourists found it apropos to treat their visit to the Heights like a Justin Bieber concert—whooping, hollering & laughing like hyenas into the night.

I tend to be a come-what-may New Yorker, and typically take pride in the fact that our nabe is a tourist magnet. But even I have limits. This bombastic lack of respect rattled me to the point of… daring to have an opinion on the Brooklyn Heights Blog. Mind you, I’ve learned that sharing such here is seldom prudent, given the response of knee-jerk anonymous posters. But this time, I’m willing to risk it.

Mind you, I’m anticipating that some dimwit will bring attention to the fact that this might have anything to do with the fact that the folks pictured are Black. I said noise… not race.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/44178

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

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)