360 Smith: Almost There

I can barely stand the wait any longer.  It's been what, 18, 19 months since we lost our primary access point to the Carroll Street subway station?

The plaza work is complete.  I'm pretty pleased with the aesthetics of the renovated plaza space, especially happy that we succeeded in preserving the mature plaza trees.

The Smith Street exposure has received a couple of new street trees as well as all new sidewalk.

 

I'm wondering what will occupy the new commercial space on the corner.  I like the Subway Entrance 24 hour globe lamp on the left, positioned out toward the edge of the sidewalk to maximize visibility down 2nd Place.

We fought a long hard battle to reduce the height of the building.  We ultimately won the fight for contextual zoning for all of Carroll Gardens . . . but lost the battle on 360 Smith.  The BSA granted the original developer a variance.

So, 360 Smith ended up bigger than we would have liked.  But the Plaza space and mature trees were largely preserved, and the ugly fence and surface parking area has been replaced with a new planted courtyard on 2nd Place.  I dare say that the street level experience on this corner will be a great improvement over what was there previously - and not just because of the new plaza treatments and courtyard plantings.  Add in the new street trees on either side of Smith Street and the Transit Garden across 2nd Place and this intersection will have gone from a relatively barren area to one of the greenest spots in the 'hood.  It's going to take a while for all those trees to grow up, but the end product is going to be a much improved crossroads.

Bonus shot: new street plantings courtesy of Parks in front of Frank's, where you can get a heart-stoppingly delicious stack of pancakes any day of the week.  Since I took the pictures I noticed someone has added some flowers to the tree beds.  Nice touch.

Anxiously Awaiting The Carroll Street Station Grand Entrance Re-Opening

With a title like that, this post will probably disappoint:  I don't have the answer yet on when the 2nd Place entrance will be thrown open for the community.  The construction has seemed to last forever, but there is finally a light at the end of the tunnel.  And yesterday, an opening in the construction fence.

I took a closer look and snapped a couple shots of the once and future entranceway.  Note the steel beam above the entrance which presumably will support the entrance signage.

On closer inspection, it looks like the entranceway will be partly glass on the Smith Street side, providing a little extra visibility into the entryway when the commercial space is open.

Finally, I took a longer shot from the stoop of the derelict property across the street.

This was a hard-fought and amazingly long battle.  Despite the contextual re-zoning and a valiant effort by the community the developers were granted a variance by the Board of Standards and Appeals to build to the full extent of the old zoning law.  It's hard not to be bitter about an outcome that, in my opinion, was unsupported by the facts or the law.  But it's more productive (and healthier) to look on the bright side, since we can no longer change the outcome.  The mature trees on 2nd Place survived.  The original "Heavy Metal" Scarano facade was scrapped (graphic originally from Curbed).

The Quadrini design certainly isn't perfect, but it's a measured improvement over that.

Lastly, the old gravel parking lot which encroached on a substantial portion of the block's courtyards and was, frankly, a blight on the corner, is gone.  The 24-hour residential presence over the subway entrance will improve security in the late night hours.  And it won't be long before the construction fences will be down, the subway entrance re-opened, and the next battle for neighborhood preservation is joined.

Carroll Gardens Court Street Construction Roundup

What's this I spy?

The major construction going on, which requires an enormous and deep trench the length of Court Street from 1st to 2nd Place, is due to the replacement of a sewer line.

There is a good size crew moving this along at a fairly rapid pace.

Here is a busted up old iron pipe that the crew pulled up in the excavation.

Also of interest - a crew is ripping up 4th Place from Smith to Court.  I asked the workers yesterday if this was related to the sewer project.  The answer was much more exciting: FiOS!

I don't want to get my hopes up too high but Verizon FiOS is long overdue in the area and Time Warner could seriously use the competition.  Bring on the high speed internet access!

Serendipity - PPW Bike Lanes & Carroll Gardens' Brooklyn Brainery

This morning I received a link through the TransAlt Brooklyn Google-Group to what really is the definitive PPW Bike Lane Benefits For Idiots guide.  Huge fonts, simple, clear analysis, and obvious conclusions.  It really is incredible that the NBBL-ers can continue to deny reality with a straight face.  

So it was by way of that link that I found the Brooklyn Brainery, which I had not noticed before though it's right here in the neighborhood.  It looks like a pretty neat place, and I look forward to checking it out.

From their website:

Brooklyn Brainery hosts cheap classes on anything and everything.

It's a place to experiment with all the things you've wanted to learn but just haven't gotten around to yet -- thinkbook clubs on steroids. 

We're located in Carroll Gardens at 515 Court Street, a couple blocks from the lovely Gowanus Canal.

Their course catalog is HERE.

CGNA Meeting Tonight

7:00pm - 9:00pm, Rain or Shine
Hannah Senesh Community Day School
342 Smith Street between 1st and 2nd Places

AGENDA
Introduction and Welcome

Report from 76th Precinct Community Affairs Officers:
Det. Paul Grudzinski and Officer Vincent Marrone

Elected Officials, representatives:
Jonah Blumstein, Liaison, CCmember Brad Lander; Tamar Smith, State Assemblywoman Joan Millman; Alex DeLisi, Sen. Dan Squadron; Dan Wiley, Rep. N. Velasquez; Luke DePalma, BP Marty Markowitz.
Introduce: P. Rheaume and Veronica Aveis, Cong. Yvette Clarke

SPEAKERS:
City Councilmember Brad Lander:  State of the Borough updates and plans.

Mr. Isaac Fischmann, developer 333 Carroll St.:  Update on plans for the 333 building

CGNA Committee Reports
Health & Hospitals: Colleen Giunta
Land Use/Landmarks: Glenn Kelly and John Hatheway
Parks: Barbara Brookhart (BBP)
Transportation: Gary Reilly

Everyone welcome!

NEXT MEETING: Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2011._,_.___

The CGNA listserv is an all volunteer community forum serving Carroll Gardens. Everyone from the neighborhood - renters, owners, business owners and others who work here - are welcome.

The CGNA meets at the Hannah Senesh Community Day School, 342 Smith St (1st & 2nd Pl) on the Fourth Wednesday of each month (except for school holidays in *February and *April).

The 2011 calendar: Wednesday, *Feb. 16, Mar. 23,* Apr. 13, May 25, June 22.

CB6 Environmental Protection, Public Safety, & Permits and Licenses Meeting Tonight

And it's a full agenda after our last meeting was blizzarded out.  Conveniently located at PS 58, 6:30pm.

Jan 24 Public Safety/Environmental Protection/Permits/Licenses
Presentation and discussion with a representative for the Department of Environmental Protection on the NYC Green Infrastructure plan, a a new plan to utilize "green infrastructure" improve the quality of waterways around New York City by capturing and retaining stormwater to reduce sewer overflows.

Presentation and discussion with a representative for the Stormwater Infrastructure Matters (S.W.I.M.) coalition, a Citywide coalition dedicated to ensuring swimmable waters around New York City through natural, sustainable stormwater management practices in our neighborhoods.

Presentation and review of a cabaret license application submitted to the Department of Consumer Affairs on behalf of Paris Burlesque Club at 18 Commerce Street (between Columbia/Richards Streets).

Presentation and review of an on-premises liquor license application submitted to the State Liquor Authority on behalf of Paris Burlesque Club at 18 Commerce Street (between Columbia/Richards Streets).

(Laid over from November) Presentation and review of a renewal unenclosed sidewalk cafe permit application submitted to the Department of Consumer Affairs on behalf of Stone Park Corner LLC at 324 5th Avenue (northwest corner 5th Avenue/3rd Street), to permit 11 tables and 22 seats.

(Laid over from December) Presentation and review of an on-premises liquor license application submitted to the State Liquor Authority on behalf of 381 7th Avenue Restaurant LLC at 381 7th Avenue (between 11th/12th Streets).

(Laid over from December) Presentation and review of an on-premises liquor license application submitted to the State Liquor Authority on behalf of 140 Business LLC at 140 7th Avenue (between Carroll St/Garfield Pl).

(Laid over from December) Review and discussion of potential addition to the Brooklyn CB6 Responsible Development Policy.

PS 58 Auditorium
330 Smith Street
(at First Place)
Brooklyn, NY 11231

Despite that address, if I recall correctly we always enter from the Carroll Street side.

Court Street Utility Debacle Continues

Here's the latest on the Court Street Utility Debacle that began with leaking gas on Tuesday night and escalated with a broken water line yesterday from the 76th Precinct:

*Update on the partial street collapse on Court Street, between 1st and 2nd Place.

One lane of traffic on Court Street has now been re-opened. All agencies are working together to limit the impact on the community. It is still unknown at this time how long the work will take to complete. Should Court Street need to be closed again, a new traffic diversion plan has been established between the 76th Precinct and the Traffic Agents that should reduce the traffic congestion that was experienced earlier.

So what happened?  (Katia already entirely beat me to this, but I've already written the post, so here's my experience and pictures anyway)  On Wednesday afternoon Mia was returning from work on Long Island.  "What's going on?  Our block is closed off, Court Street is blocked off, there's emergency vehicles and police everywhere."  Time to investigate.  Outside, 1st Place was empty, but I could see the commotion at Court Street.

Traffic on Court was being diverted at President Street.  Court Street was ripped open in front of CVS between 1st and 2nd Place.

The pictures don't really capture the scope of the activity.  1st Place resident Barbara reported:

There was a gas leak in front of CVS last night that you could smell throughout the neighborhood, and Court Street was closed, and they were detouring cars up 1st Place to Smith. It was pretty noisy outside, as cars were unhappy. It was pretty scary - as you couldn't help but think of the San Bruno, Pacific Gas and Light explosion.

Paradoxically, it was not fire but water that caused the greatest disruptions.  From the Mayor's Office of Emergency Management, via CB6 yesterday...

Court St has been temporarily closed between the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway and President St in Brooklyn due to a flooding condition. Expect heavy traffic delays in the area.

National Grid has cut and capped a gas main which services 391 thru 395 Court Street (one building with several addresses). The building has no gas at this time. During repairs a 4-inch sprinkler service water main was broken. DEP has isolated the break.

DEP and FDNY are removing 5 feet of water in building's basements on Court Street between 1st Place and 2nd Place.  Court Street is closed from President Street going south. The B57 bus line is being rerouted. OEM operations continue.

Early Wednesday evening OEM issued the following update:
Update on Court Street Water Leak from Mayor's Office of Emergency Management...

An Interagency meeting was conducted with the following agencies in attendance: Con Ed, National Grid, DEP, DOT, NYPD, FDNY, building owner, and the building owner's contractor.

DEP states that all residents have had water service restored. The source of the leak has been identified as the sprinkler service line. The sprinkler line service has been discontinued and the water leak has been terminated.

Con Ed will first have to remove duct infrastructure before the building contractor can begin work on repairing the sprinkler line. Con Ed is going to start their operations as soon as manpower and material are on scene either tonight or tomorrow morning.

National Grid is placing a temporary service line to restore all effected costumers. National Grid will begin perrmanent repair work after the building contractor has completed his phase of the repair work. All customers will have gas service restored tonight.

DOT is going to open up the west side of Court Street to vehicle traffic until work begins tomorrow morning. DOT will place pedestrian safety control devices at the location tonight. Vehicle traffic will be closed tomorrow morning when repair work begins again. The hole to be back filled is approximately 10x30 feet. DOT will return tomorrow morning to coordinate the back filling process. Backfilling will be conducted in phases of repair. Backfilling will be in conjunction with each utility company's completion of repair work.

The building owner has hired a licensed water main contractor that will begin repair work to the sprinkler line after Con Ed has removed electric duct work from the affected area for safety reasons.

NYPD will maintain a presence for vehicle and pedestrian traffic.  FDNY has concluded de-watering operations and is taking up from the scene.

It's amazing what an impact a seemingly small utility issue can have isn't it?  On my walk back from the YMCA last night there were a lot of frustrated drivers on Court and side streets between Atlantic and 1st Place.  Fortunately, the sidewalks were open for business.

New Hyper-Local Site: Welcome, Carroll Gardens Patch!

There's a brand new site focused on Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill and Boerum Hill: the Carroll Gardens Patch.

More news is good news when it comes to local coverage. All ready the patch has articles and opinion pieces up on Gowanus CSO remediation efforts, the Clean Ports Bill and greening the BQE trench, and the battle over condos in Brooklyn Bridge Park.

I'm looking forward to much more from our newest local blog.

Halloween Karaoke at Carroll Park!

The Friends of Carroll Park are sponsoring two great, super fun Halloween events.


Costume Karaoke Party (this looks especially great)
Saturday, October 30th

Come dressed as your favorite rock star! Party with your friends and family near the park house from 5:00 – 9:00 and sing some of your favorite songs with Lion’s Roar Karaoke and their 10,000 song library. Hot cider will be available, and some snacks if we can muster them! Suggested donation of $1 per song to benefit Friends of Carroll Park.

Halloween Parade
Sunday, October 31

Gather at 12:30 p.m. in the park and we’ll parade up Smith Street toward Warren, then back down Court Street to the park. The first 100 kids to show up will receive free noisemakers. Step on out to have some fun showing off your costumes!
Both events are sponsored by Scotto Wines On Court Street

Late Reminder: Gowanus Canal Session TONIGHT

May 11, 2010
7:00 - 9:00pm
PS 32, 317 Hoyt Street (at Union)

Katia has more details posted at Pardon Me For Asking.

Carroll Street Station Armed Muggings

Wow. Two women were mugged at the Carroll Street subway station on the Coney Island-bound platform during last Friday's morning rush hour, the Brooklyn Paper reports.

I have a call in to the MTA for more information and will post more information when I have it.

Apparently the police have a perp description, but in the meantime please be aware of your surroundings.

2nd Annual PS 58 PTA Flea Market, SATURDAY 4/24

The 2nd Annual PS 58 PTA Flea Market
Saturday April 24th, 10-4, no rain date
PS 58 Schoolyard, Carroll at Smith

Even bigger than last year- more vendors, more food and more fun!

All vendor proceeds and donations go to the school. Stop by!

CBID Honors South Brooklyn Coalition

The Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats had their Annual Awards Dinner this past Sunday night. Among the honorees was a confederation of community activists that spanned several neighborhood civic organizations (dubbed the South Brooklyn Coalition for the sake of brevity) who united to support Superfund designation for the Gowanus Canal. Katia has the summary, pics, and video.

The dashing fellow in the blue shirt? That's me.

Scarano Banned; Good People Everywhere Rejoice

The NYT reports (via Brownstoner) that Robert Scarano, Architect and posterboy for everything that is wrong with self-certication, has been banned from filing construction plans with DOB.

Scarano of course is best known to Carroll Gardeners as the scurrilous fiend responsible for 333 Carroll Street (aka The Carroll Gardens Hell Building), the Satori (aka The Gowanus Bunker), and for the original Heavy Metal design of 360 Smith. Reviled by contextual development afficinados, people of good taste, and those who believe in complying with our building laws, Scarano was specifically targeted by then-Councilman Bill deBlasio for his flagrant, repeated and unrepentant abuse of the zoning code.

Scarano could conceivably be described as an honorary founding member of CORD, as his 360 Smith design proved to be a rallying point that the group coalesced to oppose. (I kid, I kid . . . sort of.)

His comeuppance was long past due.

http://www.brownstoner.com/brownstoner/archives/2010/03/scarano_barred.php
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/04/nyregion/04scarano.html

Gowanus Superfunded

Via Pardon Me For Asking, some good news for the polluted Gowanus Canal.

I saw the rumor this morning via the Courier and had my fingers crossed. My view has always been this was the only possible outcome from the moment DEC made the request to EPA to list the Gowanus Canal.

Opponents of Superfund were laboring under the illusion that Superfund designation would leave a cloud over the Gowanus . . . when in reality Superfund cleanup was the only way to clear the air once the referral was made. The die was cast when DEC had the integrity to make the request; Gowanus and Superfund would be discussed in the same breath thousands of times over the ensuing months. But the designation only acknowledges the underlying issue: the Gowanus Canal is heavily polluted. We could bury our heads in the muck like (soon to be) mutant ostrich, or face the issue head on.

Now let's get about the process of cleaning up.

http://pardonmeforasking.blogspot.com/2010/03/superfund-gowanus-canal-gets-listed.html

Squadron Steps Up: Carroll Gardens Courtyards Must Be Protected

Hats off to Senator Dan Squadron, for recognizing how important it is to preserve the courtyards that are the signature of Carroll Gardens.

Pardon Me For Asking has the statement - forgive the formatting, I'm having some technical difficulties.

http://pardonmeforasking.blogspot.com/2010/02/state-senator-daniel-squadron-agrees-no.html

F Train Weekend Shuttle Schedule - Mark Your Calendars!

Given the scope of the work that is being done on the Culver Viaduct (the elevated tracks between Carroll Street station and the 4th Avenue Station), 7 weekends in 2010 is not that bad. The bad news? Two of those weekends are right around the corner. The good news? I'll be out of town for one of them. :) (below from MTA via Senator Squadron's office)

Below, please find the weekends in 2010 when MTA NYC Transit will need to suspend F and G service between Jay Street and Church Avenue, due to the ongoing Culver Viaduct rehabilitation project. There will be more weekends in 2011, which I will be able to give you specific dates for later this year.
A shuttle bus will replace F G service between Jay Street and Church Avenue and will operate both local and express. Hours of operation for each weekend are 12:01 a.m. Saturdays through 5:00 a.m. Mondays.

February 20-22
February 27-March 1
May 8-10
May 15-17
May 22-24
November 13-15
November 20-22

We're #1!

Carroll Park is #1. Congrats to Glenn and Katia and the rest of the Committee to Improve Carroll Park!

Carroll Gardens Downzoning: CB6 Thursday

From Tom Gray of Councilman Bill deBlasio's office, a reminder to turn out in support of the long-awaited Carroll Gardens downzoning at the CB6 Land Use Committee meeting on Thursday night. The rezoning will protect the community from out of scale new development and preserve the character of Carroll Gardens and the Columbia Waterfront District.

Jun 25 Landmarks/Land Use Committee Meeting
PUBLIC HEARING on Carroll Gardens/Columbia Street Contextual Rezoning plan (ULURP No. C 090462 ZMK)
Discussion and formulation of a recommendation on an application submitted by the Department of City Planning (ULURP No. C 090462 ZMK) to contextually rezone Carroll Gardens and a significant portion of the Columbia Street District neighborhoods to protect the existing built form environments.

Long Island College Hospital
339 Hicks Street
Brooklyn NY 11201

6:00 PM

Overflow Magazine - Primary Education

Overflow Magazine interviewed the 5 candidates for City Council District 39 including yours truly. It's a fun read and includes pictures of all the candidates in our native habitats.

Flash, so I can't cut and paste . . . but copies are available for free at participating local establishments. Lots of other good stuff in there too.