Clinton Hill brownstone selling for $4.25M
A circa-1871 century Clinton Hill brownstone at 141 St. James Place within the Clinton Hill Historic District is selling for $4.25 million. The house, which was in the same family for decades, was purchased by new owners in 2015 and underwent a top-to-bottom renovation, which restored original details at the same time that it installed modern appliances. The first floor has a kitchen and a parlor, the second floor has three bedrooms, the third floor has a master suite, and the laundry and a secondary entrance with storage are located at the garden level, according to Brownstoner.
Coronavirus creates challenges for planners
The coronavirus pandemic has created new challenges for shared public spaces. New York, during the past few years, has created more such places, including mini-parks and pedestrian plazas within streets. However, these places also draw crowds that make them a public health threat. “Everyone is desperate to encourage public activity, but how to do it safely with a less-than-perfect understanding of how risky is risky?” said Tom Wright, president of the Regional Plan Association, according to The New York Times.
From empty hotel rooms to affordable housing
City officials are looking into converting shuttered commercial hotels into affordable housing, including single-room occupancy units. The move comes as the city seeks to overcome the financial crisis prompted by the coronavirus. Already, thousands of homeless people are staying in hotels. “Unfortunately, we’re seeing a tremendous hit to our hotels because of the reduction in tourism … and hopefully, most of that will come back. But some of it may not,” said Vicki Been, deputy mayor for housing and economic development, according to THE CITY.
Greenpoint drive-in sees bright future
The owners of the Skyline Drive-In theater in Greenpoint, which has thrived as “regular” movie theaters are closed, say they are only getting started. In a recent visit, although the movie wasn’t set to begin until 9 p.m., the parking lot was half-full by 7:30. The Skyline is situated in a huge open industrial yard that has sometimes been used for commercials or movie locations. While there is currently one screen and one food truck, the theater’s CEO, Ari (no last name given), would eventually like to install three screens as well as a lounge-like seating area for pedestrians, according to Business Insider.
Six-story building planned for Sunset Park
Permits have been filed for a six-story building at 820 60th St. in Sunset Park. The site is between Eighth and Ninth avenues, and is currently occupied by two two-family houses. It is two blocks north of the N train’s 8th Avenue subway station. The building is slated to have nine apartments, most likely rentals, as well community space and a rear yard. Sally Lam is listed as the owner, and Benjamin Lam of Lam & Lam Architects is listed as the architect of record, according to New York YIMBY.
New building planned for Crown Heights
Permits have been filed for a six-story building at 627 Franklin Ave. in Crown Heights. The lot, which is located between Dean and Bergen streets and is currently vacant, is a short walk to the A and C train’s Franklin Avenue subway station. The building is slated to 10 apartments, most likely rentals, as well as commercial space on the ground floor. Zohar Zauber is listed as the owner, and Ralph Kowalczyk of Isaac and Stern Architects is listed as the architect of record, according to New York YIMBY.
Bus network redesign on hold
The MTA’s Brooklyn Bus Network Redesign is on hold due to COVID-19 related constraints. “Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on staff resources and the challenges to safely conduct public outreach with community stakeholders under prevailing social distancing guidelines, the project is on hold,” an agency letter dated June 25 reads. Transit experts were supposed to unveil their draft plan for the borough-wide route and schedule redesign by the end of the second quarter, according to the Brooklyn Paper. Many of the routes are still based on trolley lines of the 1920s and ’30s.
Brooklyn Diocese resumes weekday Masses
Catholic churchgoers in Brooklyn and Queens have received some good news: Weekday Masses have resumed. The decision was made a day after Sunday Mass resumed at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan, although it was restricted to 25 percent capacity. The Diocese of Brooklyn includes churches in both Brooklyn and Queens, according to ABC7 News.
Gounardes comments on borrowing authority
State Sen. Andrew Gounardes (D-Bay Ridge-Dyker Heights-Bensonhurst-Gerritsen Beach) recently commented on the issue of the city’s request for borrowing authority. “There’s no way around it: the City is in a deep financial hole because of the economic impact of Covid-19. We can and must invest in the services people need AND protect everyday New Yorkers from being saddled with skyrocketing property taxes they simply can’t pay,” he said.
Man freed after two decades in prison
A Brooklyn man who served two decades in prison for a shooting he didn’t commit was set free last week. Eric DeBerry got the call from his lawyer that he would be set free. An hour later, a correction officer escorted him into a van bound for a train station. DeBerry was found guilty in 1999, but his conviction was overturned after the main witness against him at the trial, Kareen Collins, recanted. The real shooter, Roberto Velasquez, also confessed, according to the New York Post.
Bay Ridge parents call for superintendent’s removal
More than 200 parents, community members and faculty members have signed a letter calling for the removal of District 20 (Bay Ridge) Superintendent Karina Constantino, saying she failed to address complaints about anti-Muslim racism and poor treatment of special education students. One parent, Francine Almash, said her second oldest child is autistic, but for years school staffers claimed he had behavioral problems instead. A 2019 state report found that District 20 had one of the highest rates in the city for non-compliance with Individualized Education Programs, which are supposed to help disabled students, according to the Brooklyn Paper.
Hailstorm brings down trees in Brooklyn
As fast-moving storms swept the city on Monday evening, several trees were uprooted in Brooklyn. Videos posted to social media showed trees landing on top of cars in Borough Park and Sheepshead Bay. In Flatbush, there was a report of a tree falling on top of an MTA bus, according to ABC7.
Compiled by Raanan Geberer.
One Response
820 60th St is just over the line in Boro Park.