Browsing Tag

Development

Brooklyn Heights

The ‘Brooklyn Eagle’ Has Landed

July 25, 2012

The one-story 1963 homely building that housed the long-lived “Brooklyn Eagle” newspaper at 30 Henry Street is history. It was two months ago that the lot in Brooklyn Heights was boarded up and by June 8 the roof of the structure had been removed. Brownstoner reports that all that remains as of Tuesday is the building’s foundation.

And now it’s time for the site’s new life: DUMBO-based developer Fortis Manor, which purchased the property in November 2011 for $3.5 million ($500K over its asking price), received Landmarks approval in December for a five-story, six-unit condo building, with underground parking and a courtyard with waterfall. Let’s hope this project goes smoother than its neighbor up the street at 20 Henry Street.

(Photo: Brownstoner)


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/44765

From the Web

Brooklyn Heights

As BBP Struggles For Funding, Self-Sustaining High Line Park Gets $5M Gift From City

July 20, 2012

While Brooklyn Bridge Park continues to scrounge together funding to continue buildout of the slow-as-molasses 85-acre waterfront project, Manhattan’s High Line Park has received a $5 million windfall from the city. This, despite the fact that the West Side tourist destination has raked in $85 million in private sector donations, in addition to a lucrative concessions deal and millions of dollars from adjoining building air rights.

DNAInfo.com reports that city park advocates are questioning why High Line was bestowed such a generous gift, which the city targeted to help build the third portion of the park, at a total cost of $90 million. Critics, for one, point to Brooklyn Bridge Park, which the city’s 2013 capital expenditures budget has slated for just $5.5 million, to develop the Pier 4 Beach and Habitat Island and a pedestrian entrance on its north side.

“Unlike the High Line—which pulls in massive cash from fundraising and private donations—Brooklyn Bridge Park relies almost entirely on the city for capital costs,” DNAInfo says. “Its fundraising organization, the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy, puts most of its funds toward programming at the park.” The story points to only two BBP capital projects donations: Jane’s Carousel and the controversial $40 million from New York City Fieldhouse Chairman Joshua Rechnitz to build a rec facility near Pier 5.

BBP’s 85 acres compares to the High Line’s 6.73. New York’s total 2013 appropriation is $105 million for 142 park projects. A spokeswoman for the City Council declined to respond to DNAInfo’s requests for comment.


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/44468

From the Web

Brooklyn Heights, Real Estate

Here We Go Again: 20 Henry Street & Magic Johnson Just Can’t Score

July 18, 2012

Magic Johnson is back in the news regarding his alliance with the agonizing completion of 20 Henry Street—and it’s as ugly as ever. The Real Deal reports that a labor dispute has erupted between Hudson Meridian Construction and the baller’s Canyon Johnson Urban Funds. The contractor has threatened to walk off the job at the 20 Henry condo conversion, leading the investment firm to request they be kicked off the Brooklyn Heights site.

In a July 13 filing in Manhattan Supreme Court, the investment firm claims the project is more than five months behind schedule because of the construction company’s failure to supervise its workers and subcontractors. Canyon Johnson also says Hudson Meridian is submitting inflated charges. Lawyers for the investment firm allege that the construction company is demanding an additional $700,000 in payments or it will walk off the job by July 19, while 72% of the building’s 39 units are in contract and were scheduled to begin closing in June.

“Hudson Meridian’s efforts to extort additional payments from CJUF recently culminated with its audacious and unlawful threat to abandon the project,” Cole Schotz attorney Leo Levya, representing the developer, wrote in the filing.

The developer says it plans to bring in Staten Island-based A&D Construction to complete 20 Henry in place of Hudson Meridian, if the current dispute is not resolved.

Read more, including the background at The Real Deal here.


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/44354

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

Brooklyn Heights, Food

Mama Mia! Dellarocco’s Of Brooklyn Preps For Restaurant Opening

July 7, 2012

You can almost taste it. Dellarocco’s of Brooklyn, the new local brick-oven eatery at 214 Hicks Street, appears days away from opening its doors to the delectable fragrance of fresh pies and a thirst-quenching wine & beer cafe. Over the weekend, signage was etched onto the windows in elegant gold lettering.

The restaurant is owned & operated by Brooklyn-bred brothers Greg and Glenn Markman and Joseph Secondino (who has known the bros for 30+ years). The three are also partners of the Heights Cafe next door at 84 Montague Street. As previously reported, Dellarocco has a separate kitchen—with a wood-burning brick pizza oven flown in from Italy—and will operate as an independent biz.

Delivery and take-out will be available, along with in-room dining boasting 15-foot ceilings with a menu specializing in personal pizzas, according to Greg Markman. It will be open seven days a week, likely from noon to midnight.

The restaurant takes the place of Overtures stationery and gift boutique at 216 Hicks, which closed after 30 years in December 2011; and Dara Ettinger jewelry at 214 Hicks, which opened in May 2011 and lasted eight months. High-end clothier J. McLaughlin is to the left, at 218 Hicks. The spaces at 214 & 216 were combined into one large parcel in February.

(Photos: Chuck Taylor)


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/43800

From the Web

Brooklyn Heights, News

Willowtowners Fear Traffic Nightmares From Fieldhouse Crowds

June 29, 2012

Yesterday (Wednesday) evening the Fieldhouse road show continued in Willowtown, at a meeting arranged by the Willowtown Association and hosted by their President, Ben Bankson. The opening presentation was similar to that at St. Francis on Monday, except that Fieldhouse Executive Director Greg Brooks stressed even more–no doubt anticipating the questions he knew would come–that this was a meeting to hear concerns and get information from the community, not to offer answers. Also, the design portion of the presentation was handled by Jean Phifer (photo) of Thomas Phifer and Partners, instead of Greg Smith, of that firm.

Kate Collignon, of consultant HR&A Advisors, Inc., fielded the first volley of questions. The opening question was, what is the expected daily usage of the Fieldhouse? Ms. Collignon said there is no specific expectation at present; this will have to await information from local schools and other community organizations about their needs and desires. The next question was: How, then, can projections of traffic be made for the supplemental Environmental Impact Statement without full information about usage? Joralemon Street resident Frank Ciaccio said the issue of transportation needed to be addressed first. Others quickly seconded this, some noting that Joralemon between Hicks and Furman is already overburdened with auto (especially livery cab) traffic seeking a shortcut to the BQE. There was general agreement that the best solution to this problem was to block entrance to Furman Street from Joralemon. It was suggested that this could be done with retractable bollards that could be lowered to allow passage of emergency vehicles when needed. However, this would require assent of the City’s Department of Transportation, as well, perhaps, of other agencies.

Parking was also a concern. Some residents noted that parking in Willowtown had become more difficult since the playground on Pier 6 had opened, and anticipated its being much worse with the Fieldhouse. Ms. Collignon noted that one of the ways to encourage people to use mass transit instead of cars was to provide jitney service from nearby subway stations. Mr. Ciaccio suggested opening a tunnel from the Clark Street subway platform to Furman Street, which he said could be done at minimal cost.

One resident, noting Ms. Phifer’s emphasis on the lightness of her firm’s buildings, said she had spent a winter fostering a family of abandoned dogs in the the then derelict area where the Fieldhouse is to be constructed. She said the winter time she spent there showed the site to be extremely cold and windy, and she hoped that the architects, who were proud of their “light” buildings, would design something strong enough to withstand the weather. Ms. Phifer assured her that they would.


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/43232

From the Web

Brooklyn Heights, Downtown Brooklyn, Food

Starbucks Deems Fulton Street Mall a Worthy New Locale

June 27, 2012

While it’s certainly no problem getting a morning java fix in Brooklyn Heights, a new Starbucks is coming to Fulton Mall, at 348 Fulton Street, next to Bank of America and across from Shake Shack. Obviously, the ubiquitous chain is demonstrating belief in the rapidly gentrifying Downtown Brooklyn nabe.

In May, the Heights’ Bucks relocated to 134 Montague Street from its former location at 112 Montague. Meanwhile, The Brooklyn Daily Eagle reports that the new location has posted signage and appears to be nearly ready to open inside. It’s located in a one-story building that most recently was home to men’s clothing store Porta Bella, and has 1,334 square feet of floor space.

Already over the past month or so, the area’s onetime primary shopping mecca has welcomed the Gap Factory Store, with Century 21, TJ Maxx, H&M and the massive multi-use City Point on the way.

(Photo: McBrooklyn)


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/43022

From the Web

Sports

BBP Fieldhouse Planners Really Want Your Ideas

June 26, 2012

At yesterday evening’s meeting at St. Francis College, New York City Fieldhouse, Inc.’s Executive Director, Greg Brooks (photo) said the project is in its early planning stage, and that the organization’s goal is to “meet public demand.” He said inquiries had revealed strong demand for indoor recreational facilities from area residents, community groups, and schools (the last was later seconded by Dr. Larry Weiss, Head of School at Brooklyn Friends). Mr. Brooks noted concerns about transportation and traffic, and said that an environmental impact statement would have to be prepared and filed.

Gabe Smith, of Thomas Phifer and Partners, the architectural firm retained to design the facility, said the goal was for the facility to be as environmentally and site sensitive as possible. He noted that, in addition to providing a facility for track cycling (Mr. Brooks had earlier noted that this would be only the second such indoor facility in the U.S., the other being at the Home Depot Center in Los Angeles) and facilities for other sports and recreational activities, the agreement with Brooklyn Bridge Park povides that it must also provide a maintenance facility for the Park and restrooms for park visitors as well as for those using the Fieldhouse. The maximum footprint for the Fieldhouse is 115,000 square feet, but the designers’ intent is to make it as small as possible, consistent with the need to include the bicycle track. It is possible that the maintenance facility and the Fileldhouse may entirely or partially occupy the same space. Tony Manheim, a longtime park supporter who was in attendance, suggested that space could be saved by placing part of the Fieldhouse under the slope of the berm that is to be constructed to shield the Park from noise from the BQE. He also said that the Fieldhouse itself could add to the noise abatement, and that federal funds may be available to defray some of its cost because of that.

Representative of cycle clubs present at the meeting said they had polled their members and found that all were willing to pay a fee to use the velodrome track. The question was raised whether the Fieldhouse as a whole would be operated on a membership basis, so that all using the facilities would have to pay a fee. Mr. Brooks said this was not likely.

There will be another meeting tomorrow (Wednesday) evening in Willowtown to discuss the Fieldhouse project.


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/43010

From the Web

Real Estate, Sports

Another Meeting on BBP Fieldhouse in Willowtown Wednesday

June 25, 2012

For those who can’t make the meeting tomorrow (Monday, June 25) evening at St. Francis College on the proposed Fieldhouse in Brooklyn Bridge Park, there will be another meeting on the same topic this Wednesday evening, June 27, starting at 7:30, at the Alfred T. White Center, 26 Willow Place. More details, supplied by Ben Bankson of the Willowtown Association, follow the jump.

The proposed construction of a public multi-purpose athletic and recreation center along Furman Street just north of Joralemon in Brooklyn Bridge Park to be called The Fieldhouse will be the subject of a special community meeting sponsored by the Willowtown Association on Wednesday evening, June 27, at 7:30 at the Alfred T. White Center on Willow Place.

Construction of the center will realize a feature of the park that to date was not possible because of financial restraints. Its estimated cost, $40 million, will be underwritten by Joshua P. Rechnitz, a Manhattan philanthropist. He is the founder and chairman of the nonprofit corporation, The New York City Fieldhouse, dedicated to “promoting healthy and sustainable living in our communities through recreational and competitive sports with an emphasis on competitive track cycling.” The donation is one of the largest ever made to a New York City park. Mr. Rechnitz will also underwrite any shortfalls in operating revenue incurred by the center for the first 10 years.

Speakers at the June 27 presentation will include Greg Brooks, newly named executive director of The New York City Fieldhouse Inc., and representatives of the donor and the architectural firm retained to design the center, Thomas Phifer and Partners.

The outmoded one-story warehouse building on the site of the proposed center was to remain as a storage and maintenance facility for the park. The Fieldhouse is to include space for these purposes along with a public boathouse and restrooms.

Photo: Jan VanderPutten for Playbill.


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/42970

From the Web