DoBro Underground Railroad house officially landmarked

Neighborhood

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February 5, 2021

Underground Railroad House Downtown Brooklyn — File photo by Susan De Vries

The city’s Landmarks Preservation Commission voted unanimously on Tuesday to grant landmark status to the Downtown Brooklyn house where prominent abolitionists Harriet and Thomas Truesdell lived during the 19th century — marking a long-awaited victory for local history buffs and activists alike.

Some really interesting history here. It’s fantastic to see it landmarked.

Now that that’s settled, let’s also rename the upcoming Willoughby Square Park to Abolitionist Place Park. Has a great ring to it.

Demolition means progress, but what’s the plan?

Neighborhood

By

Dann Berg

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February 3, 2021

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There’s still very little known about the future of the block adjacent to Albee Square, where Dekalb Ave curves to meet Fulton Street and becomes Bond Street. But progress is being made, in the form of demolition. Pretty much everything east of Duane Reade has been razed.

Businesses in buildings that previously occupied that space have been closing over the past several years, pre-dating the pandemic. Behind the scenes, RedSky Capital was purchasing lots (apparently 14 total) for some undisclosed project. Its website only lists a Fulton Mall project as “coming soon,” overlay on top of a fairly generic picture of a high rise).

It’s a great location, right next to the beautiful Dime Savings Bank that’s becoming part of the lobby to 9 Dekalb. There’s a rumor, too, that there could be some public retail in the old bank lobby as well.

But the real question that I have right now is if the market can support another residential (or even commercial) high rise project like this. I’m still waiting for the other shoe to drop in terms of real estate pandemic fallout. Will the residential rental market remain soft? For how long? How many businesses will stick around? What will commercial rents be like? Will fewer people move to Brooklyn? Will more people?

On top of all these unknowns, RedSky Capital was having their own issues even prior to the pandemic. According to Brownstoner:

RedSky, which owns property all over the borough and wooed Apple to Brooklyn, appears to have fallen on hard times before the pandemic. They handed back to a lender in lieu of foreclosure part of their portfolio in Williamsburg, a combined 14 properties near North 6th Street and Bedford Avenue, valued at $145 million.

With all that said, the world continues to march forward, and progress is made even when it’s in the form of demolition. If they’re optimistic enough to move forward with whatever plans they have here, then I’ll be optimistic with them.

I do, however, sort of like all the free space we have there now. I supposed I’ll have to enjoy it while it lasts.

Occupancy in DoBro holding strong

Neighborhood

By

Dann Berg

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March 5, 2019

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From Steve Cuozzo at the New York Post:

“Data just released by the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership show that occupancy is above 95 percent at both old and new rental buildings. Absorption remains strong as most new properties report leasing between 20 and 40 units every month.”

DoBro getting $10M influx of cash

Neighborhood

By

Dann Berg

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October 3, 2018

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We did it! We won! Apparently.

From the BKReader:

Downtown Brooklyn was awarded $10 million grant as part of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI), which aims to transform downtown neighborhoods into vibrant communities where New Yorkers want to live and work.

What is this $10M going to do? Two things, according to the article:

Connect cultural hubs to surrounding neighborhoods
Further expand job and economic opportunities in the region

Honestly, I have no idea what that actually means. More buses, office buildings, and schools, I guess?

It’s too early to tell. The next step is to pull together a local planning committee (supported by private sector experts and state planners) to create a Strategic Investment Plan.

What I really want is for that money to go to getting more subway cars running during rush hour. And maybe fix the damn Clarke Street elevators already.

Keep it coming: Katz’s Deli launching subscription service

Neighborhood

By

Dann Berg

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May 30, 2018

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Jason Tesauro of The Middletown Press reports:

As part of its 130th anniversary, Katz’s announced on Tuesday that its first-ever subscription service will start in June…Subscription boxes (from $1,500 for a full year, or $450 for 3 months) are tied to the seasons and feature enough food for 4-6 people, plus Katz schwag. A July Griller Package is heavy on sausages, ‘kraut, mustards, and a Katz’s ballcap for backyard living. The January Warmer Package includes six quarts of three different soups (matzoh ball, split pea, chicken noodle), plus knishes and a sweatshirt. A Sweets Package in May includes babkas, rugelaches, black-and-white cookies, and a chocolate egg cream-scented candle for Mom.

Looks like Katz’s Deli is pulling out all the stops. It’s always fun to see New York institutions, like Katz’s or Juniors, change when they get someone smart, motivated, and young at the helm.

Eater had a great interview a couple of years ago with then-27-year-old Jake Dell, owner of Katz’s. Worth the read if you love $20 piles of pastrami.

Where to Work: Coworking Space Roundup in Downtown Brooklyn

Neighborhood

By

Andrea Preziotti

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May 30, 2018

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Residential towers springing up all around Downtown Brooklyn seem to be making all the headlines, but the neighborhood is also home to several businesses, big and small. If you’re looking to get some work done in the area, look no further than a coworking space. We’ve rounded up what’s available, where, and whether or not you get free coffee. Read on to learn more!

Continue

Affordable Housing Lottery for One Flatbush Ave now open

Neighborhood

By

Dann Berg

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May 16, 2018

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Do you dream of living in Downtown Brooklyn, but lack the income to afford the multitude of new luxury apartments? Here’s another chance to try your luck at an affordable housing lottery!

NYC Housing Connect has recently opened the lottery for the upcoming One Flatbush Ave, which appears to be nearing the end of it’s construction. The building is at the intersection of Flatbush and Fulton, right next to the Nevins stop on the 2, 3, 4, and 5 trains.

There are a total of 37 units available, in studio to two-bedroom units. If you’re planning on applying alone, your max annual income can be up to $43,860, while a family of four can only make up to $62,580. Monthly rent ranges from $867 to $1,123 depending on household income and the unit granted.

To apply, you need to visit the Housing Connect website, at http://www.nyc.gov/housingconnect. You’ll have to fill out a detailed application, including the annual incomes of each of the household members applying. But once that application is filled out once, you’ll be able to apply to different lotteries with the click of a button. The lottery for One Flatbush Ave ends July 11th at midnight.

Good luck!

Fancy Soap Shop Rain to Open in City Point for Your Self-Care Needs

By

Vanessa Londono

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May 7, 2018

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Rain, a sustainable South African soap and skincare shop comes to City Point Brooklyn.

Soon you’ll be able to get all the artisanal soaps your heart desires at City Point. Rain, an au naturale soap, skincare, and fragrance company is opening up their first Brooklyn storefront in July.

The bougie self-care brand is known for incorporating sustainably harvested African botanicals into their luxury bath bombs and body scrubs. Makes sense since Rain originally began in South Africa and is recognized for their Fair Trade practices in Africa and Europe. They currently have one other NYC location in Rockefeller Center.

Lined with Gold: Street Name Change to Honor Founding Black Female Civil Rights Activist

Neighborhood

By

Greg Stadler

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May 3, 2018

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Gold Street, between Myrtle Avenue and Willoughby Street in Downtown Brooklyn, may soon be renamed to honor Ida B. Wells, an African-American investigative journalist, teacher, feminist, and an early leader in the Civil Rights Movement. Wells spent several years on Gold Street in the early 1890s (living near today’s existing Chase Bank), after her Memphis journalism offices were destroyed by white mob violence.

Born into slavery in 1862 Mississippi, Wells became freed a year later after the Civil War and resulting emancipation. Relocating to Memphis later as an adult, she would become one of the founders of the NAACP, and is most remembered for her investigative journalism, dispelling stereotypical myths around the lynchings of black men. Wells’ writing exposed her findings that the lynchings were the result of white social control and subjugation, and not the common claims of attack or sexual violence against white women.

Jacob Morris, the head of the Harlem Historical Society, conceived the idea for Gold Street to bear Wells’ name as a part of his citywide effort to honor prominent black New Yorkers by renaming streets after them. Councilman Stephen Levin introduced the application to rename the street to Community Board 2’s Transportation Committee which granted approval in April. The Executive Committee will vote to make a final decision later this year.

Dépanneur to Open This Summer

Neighborhood

By

Vanessa Londono

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May 1, 2018

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Sandwich from Dépanneur — Dépanneur is known for their savory weekly special sandwiches. Photo via Instagram.com/depanneurbklyn/

There’s been some activity at 300 Livingston Street. The French general store has begun building out their newest location (part of the retail component of 33 Bond Street). Calling themselves “a better bodega,” Dépanneur will be a welcomed addition to the Downtown Brooklyn lunch circuit. They’ve gained popularity in Williamsburg (their first location) and Clinton Hill with unique weekly sandwich specials that they announce on social media.

According to Winick Realty Group, Dépanneur signed two leases for two separate ground-floor spaces so they’ll have a rather spacious general store component as well to pick up bougie local pantry goods.

So how soon can you expect to bite into a mouth-watering baguette sandwich? Well, a quick call to the shop confirmed it will be mid-summer at the earliest before their doors are open. It’s back to salads till then.