Some optimism for the future of DoBro

Neighborhood

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February 12, 2021

Bklyner has an optimistic view for the future of Downtown Brooklyn, as well as an outstanding look at how we got to be here:

Brooklyn’s historic central business district also suffered during the pandemic. But the area’s boosters and developers believe its location, open spaces, and large residential population could give it a leg up over Manhattan as the post-pandemic recovery finally begins.

I didn’t know much about the neighborhood before moving here from Flatbush in 2016. The only bit of knowledge I had was that the neighborhood was re-zoned in 2004, the results of which were just starting to bloom. And that the spot with all the stores in the colorful shipping containers was now a mall (City Point).

The full story of Downtown Brooklyn is as much about the recovery after 9/11 as it is anything else. One avenue of thought about the re-zoning was an effort to decentralize office buildings, which were mostly clustered in the Financial District and Midtown at the time.

The Downtown Brooklyn re-zoning wasn’t totally successful though, as it was meant to give us a ton of office space but instead it’s just housing, housing, and more expensive housing. But that new construction also allowed for a lot of new Affordable Housing opportunities in new buildings, as the companies behind the construction wanted the tax breaks.

My apartment window has a direct view at a new office building that’s currently under construction. When the pandemic hit and the stage officially went on PAUSE, all construction stopped.

Eventually, after what felt like forever but was actually just weeks, construction started up again. I met a friend that works in commercial real estate at Fort Greene Park around that time. The future felt very uncertain at the time (I think May? June?) but he said his company was shifting resources from residential to commercial in the short term. It was taking the bet that offices would come back, but with remote work being more flexible, housing rentals might be soft.

Seems like the opposite of what’s being proposed in Midtown Manhattan, with office space potentially being converted into apartments. But Downtown Brooklyn is not Manhattan, and almost all available inventory is residential already.

The full article from Bklyner goes into way more detail, and is well worth the read.

What do you think about the future of Downtown Brooklyn?

Huzzah! Year of the Ox celebration coming to Albee Square

Events

By

Dann Berg

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February 9, 2021

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Q: Will there be a traditional lion dance?
A: Hell yeah, there’s going to be a traditional lion dance!

Come and celebrate the Year of the Ox at Albee Square on Saturday, February 13th between 1:30pm and 3pm. There will be a traditional lion dance and a “selfie-station,” which honestly sounds like a fantastic reason to get outside and keep the days from all blending together due to the pandemic.

In terms of the lion dance performance, the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership website claims (emphasis mine):

Tradition says that a good lion dance performance brings one good luck and happiness!

Note that they do not mention of what a bad lion dance performance brings. Crossing my fingers that the performance is good…

If you selfie-and-share (at a safe social distance, of course) you’ll get a traditional red envelope containing a small prize. The biggest of the small prizes is a gift card for food at Dekalb Market.

A second blizzard this winter, after years without real snow

Neighborhood

By

Dann Berg

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February 8, 2021

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Sure, we’ve gotten a little bit of snow in the past few years, but there hasn’t been a huge storm in New York City since January 23rd, 2016. I had pretty much given up hope that we’d ever get a big storm here again, especially after New York City was re-classified as subtropical.

But here we are, two decent snow storms in one winter (so far). Here’s a few pictures from Jay Street Metrotech in the snow.

DoBro Underground Railroad house officially landmarked

Neighborhood

By

Dann Berg

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February 5, 2021

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

Via AMNY:

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.”

One day of free classes at City Point’s new fitness studio

Events

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Dann Berg

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October 5, 2018

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You may have noticed a fitness studio had quietly opened in City Point. Well, that is to say it soft opened. The official opening day is October 13th, and they’re offering free classes all day to celebrate.

The City Point website has the class schedule, with classes starting at 10am and going til 5pm. At Your Beat is an import from London (this Brooklyn location is their first foray into the United States), and offers dance-infused fitness classes.

From their website:

Here at At Your Beat, we’re all about celebrating your individuality and personal growth. You’ll learn to dance and get fit with the most dynamic instructors within the most inclusive environment in the game! We’re about building STRONG BODIES and MINDS because when you’re feeling strong, the sexy will follow! Our principles are rooted in finding your own ‘BEAT’, whether that be learning a new dance style, learning to pick up choreography faster, or learning new, fun ways to get fit that don’t involve gym equipment.

With all the new high-rise residential buildings popping up in this neighborhood, I’m sure we’ll see a huge influx of trendy, niche fitness studios popping up soon. There will certainly be a market, and right now, the neighborhood is very lacking in that area IMHO.

If you wanna take a free class, you can book online at their website.

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!

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