Disconnected in Brooklyn on Craigslist: I Jumped on the Tracks

Ah, Sunday, the day we turn to our Craigslist Brooklyn Missed Connection. Once again, the Missed Connections take us to the subway as they so often do, but this one is not like the other MC's about passing glances traded from seats on the train or on the platform:

Thurs your phone flew on to the tracks at the 25th st R station - m4w - 32 (Brooklyn)

Hey there,

I'm the guys who jumped down to grab your phone for you. I didn't think to chat with you at the time only because it seemed, for whatever reason, like I would have been trying to take advantage of the situation. Well, I hope you see this. I'd love to chat with you over a cup of coffee or tea sometime if you're ever up for it.

Please email the guy.

Community Board 7 Votes Against Congestion Pricing, Cites Issues with Residential Parking Permits

[Photo courtesy of Anna Lewis]

GL Correspondent Anna Lewis attended last nights CB7 Meeting and filed this report:

Brooklyn Community Board 7 (Windsor Terrace and Sunset Park) rejected Mayor Bloomberg's congestion pricing plan at its monthly meeting Wednesday night. It objected primarily to the Mayor's inclusion of a residential parking permit system within the congestion pricing plan.

The New York City Department of Transportation (NYCDOT) developed the residential parking permit system to address community concerns about a lack of on-street parking potentially caused by congestion pricing.

CB7's objections to the Mayor's proposal reflected concerns raised at two separate community forums, held in Windsor Terrace and Sunset Park respectively. They included the effects of the plan on public space, such as decreased access to public parks and museums; questions over the boundaries of the permit zones and their impact on park-and-ride activity in neighborhoods; the exemption of New Jersey drivers from congestion pricing; and questions about permit regulation and enforcement.

Another major concern was that Brooklyn would not receive an adequate portion of the revenues raised by congestion pricing.
--Anna Lewis

Bklink: Sunset Park Hotel

A new building on 39th street between 8th and 9th Avenues in Sunset Park is going to be a hotel. "Those were the rumors and buzz going around. One could also see that the architecture seemed to be more fitting for an office building or a hotel. Now we can confirm that it is a Hotel that is nearing completion at the location. It is ideally situated near the 9th Avenue D train station placing it within a half hour of midtown Manhattan and it is also within easy reach of the B35 and B70 bus lines."--Sunset Park Blog

Fifth Avenue Big Dig is a Bit Behind Schedule

The GL reader that originally let us know that one-way signs had been put up on Fifth Avenue in Sunset Park, which led to more information about the big dig, found more info about the project. As it turns out it was supposed to start last summer and won't be finished until sometime in 2010. The work will run from 24th Street to 34th Street. Part of the city's document is above. Here is what he wrote:

I found out that this project was slated to start last summer and finish in spring 2009. There is a well made, yet cryptic, explanation of the project here. Just look under brooklyn, Reconstruction of 5th Avenue from 24 St. to 34 St., Brooklyn -- HWK732C. By the way, this is probably a good web site to check before moving into any neighborhood just to make sure they won't be ripping out the street and sidewalk right outside the window of your new apartment. The best part of the brochure is where it tells people with special needs to contact the project manager immediately-- guess if you're blind or in a wheelchair don't expect to leave the house until 2009.

Just think, when the entire project is done around 2035, it will be time to start over.

Upcoming: Sunset Park Rezoning Study Presentation

Sunset Park is among the many, many Brooklyn neighborhoods up for a rezoning, and City Planning will be making a presentation of its Sunset Park rezoning study this month. The big day is Thursday, March 13, and the presentation is scheduled for 6:30 PM in the office of Community Board 7, which is located at 4201 Fourth Avenue (43rd Street). Meetings and discussions about the rezoning have been going on for a long time.

The Big Dig: Fifth Avenue Lowdown

Yesterday, we updated the story we first ran on Friday that a reader had sent about the appearance of one-way signs on Fifth Avenue in Sunset Park. As it turned out info was on the MTA/New York City Transit website in the context of the B63 bus being rerouted going northbound. A reader left another comment late last night that is worth highlighting because it provides a glimpse of what's to come. Major construction work will be happening to Fifth Ave. over the next several years and the next spot to be torn up will be the Sunset Park shopping district. Here is what our reader wrote:

It's wonderful living in a city that leaves its residents in the dark about things that have been in the planning for 20 years! 5th Avenue from 24th to 34th Street is going to be torn open for the city to inspect and where needed replace the sewer (waste water) and water (supply) pipes. The job is scheduled to last 18 to 24 months with cash incentives to the contractor to finish earlier. This job is part of a much larger job that extends the entire length of 5th avenue. Bay Ridge was done a few years back - the disruption was awful. The heart of the Sunset Park shopping district will be done when the current job is finished. It will be a nightmare for the mom & pop type stores that have a very low profit margin - their loss of business will be devastating. Your observations of the current work and ideas on how the business district can survive the coming construction would be appreciated - call the Sunset Park Business Improvement District at 718 439-7767.

No worries. Everything should be finished by 2020, give or take.

Fifth Avenue One-Way Update

On Friday, we posted a reader's photo and questions about one-way signs that had appeared on Fifth Avenue in Sunset Park. One reader left a comment that some type of construction might be taking place and that the street--which is in wretched condition--was going to be repaved. Yesterday, another reader answered the question with some information on the MTA/New York City Transit website. LizD wrote that "As a regular rider of the B63 I've seen notices in the buses that Northbound 5th Ave between 39th st and 20th st will be closed effective March 10, 2008, indefinitely. I've heard through the grapevine that it's for road reconstruction. The Northbound B63 will be re-routed onto 4th Ave. The MTA/NYC Transit web site has the details." Indeed the website says the B63's northbound service will be "rerouted due to construction on 5 Av between 20 and 39 Sts. Effective Mon, March 10, 2008 until further notice." The B63 will run on Fourth Avenue from 39th Street to 20th Street and return to Fifth Ave. Also, we forgot to mention it on Friday, but what's up with the placement of the Do Not Enter sign sideways?

(Temporary) One-Way Action on Fifth Avenue in Sunset Park?

Is Fifth Avenue going one-way in Sunset Park? We haven't seen anything about this, but a reader sent us the photo above, which shows a new one-way sign waiting to be uncovered at Fifth Avenue and 34th Street that bears all the signs of some temporary changes. (That's Green-Wood Cemetery in the background.) He writes:

Today I noticed new "do not enter" (DNE) and "one-way" signs on 5th avenue at 34th street. In the picture, the "3" in "34 St" is obstructed from view by the one-way sign, but you can clearly see greenwood cemetery in the background. The one-way is pointing south-bound and the DNE facing north-bound traffic at 34th st suggesting that south of 34th 5th ave would continue to be two ways. The new pattern is not in effect as of yet--I presume they make changes like this in the dark at night.

I'm not sure how far north this extends or whether this is a temporary thing...I called 311 and was told that in order to verify a street sign or traffic change I would need to submit it in writing. I figured I'd ask you first since you seem to know the ins and outs of our fair and gentle borough so well.

Given the furor last year about one-way changes around Park Slope, we doubt that it's a permanent change. In fact, Fifth Avenue was left off the one-way list. So, we assume it's a construction-related issue. Anyone know what's up?

Bklink: Sunset Park Nonprofit

"A Brooklyn agency that's supposed to help the disabled spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxpayer money on fancy cars, flat-panel TVs, business trips and a $100,000 no-show job for the director's close friend, a report charges. Despite the scathing findings, the Sunset Park group's longtime executive director, Seibert Phillips - who lied about his education credentials and allegedly let his son, who lives in Atlanta, rack up nearly $18,000 in gas charges on an agency credit card - is still at the agency. Most of the board members at the Evelyn Douglin Center for Serving People in Need (SPIN) are also still in place - even though many are longtime Phillips cronies who failed for years to rein in the lavish spending..."--NYDN

Bklink: Lunar New Year in Sunset Park

The Lunar New Year celebration in Sunset Park will take place on Eighth Avenue on Sunday February 10. The festivities start around 11AM and will go for about three hours. In any case, if you want to see some great photos of last year's celebration, you can click here and here.--Sunset Park Blog

Bklink: Lunar New Year, Sunset Park Edition

"Chinese New Year 2008, the year of the Rat officially begins on February 7th, but since it's a work day the real fun will be three days later" on Eighth Avenue in Sunset Park where thousands watch the celebration. "The Brooklyn Chinese American Association that sponsors the annual Chinese New Year's Celebrations on 8th Avenue have set the date for this year's parade on Sunday February 10. The ceremonies are slated to begin at 11 Am and last about three hours. Expect to see very major politician and local celebrity at the ceremonies in front of the BCAA headquarters at 51st street and 8th Avenue."--Sunset Park Blog

Upcoming: Sunset Park Neighborhood Summit

From the Sunset Park Autonomous Zone blog comes word of the "2nd Sunset Park Neighborhood Summit" this weekend. It takes place on Sunday (1/20) from 1PM-4PM at the Trinity Lutheran Church, which is located at 46th Street & 4th Ave. The meeting is sponsored by Sunset Park Alliance of Neighbors (SPAN), Friends of Sunset Park, Trinity Lutheran Church, Sunset Park Autonomous Zone, 42nd Street Block Association. A previous "summit" was held in September. For more information email spanbrooklyn (at) yahoo (dot) com. Among other things the meeting will deal with displacement and development issues.

New Sunset Park and Prospect-Lefferts Gardens Blogs

We're happy to note two new Brooklyn blogs, including one in Sunset Park, where we've been hoping to see some renewed neighborhood blogging activity:

The Sunset Park entry is The Sunset Park Blog, which is tied to a website called sunset-park.com that also includes a message board that could turn out to be both interesting and valuable if it catches on. We've missed consistent Sunset Park coverage since Sunset Parker's short run last year, so we're especially excited to see what kind of coverage this new blog has up its sleeve. Some early offerings include a nice look at the Christmas decorations on Fifth Avenue and some news about a new hotel on 39th Street.

Meanwhile, the relatively new Prospect-Lefferts Gardens entry is called Hawthorne Street. It bills itself as dealing with "local curiosities, reno tips and random thoughts on the urban environment" and its been keeping up a very active posting schedule so far.

Gowanus Lounge Photo Du Jour, Part II: The View

Sunset Park, Brooklyn

Forgotten NY Does Sunset Park

Kevin Walsh and Forgotten New York turn their attention this week to Sunset Park and a new feature full of photographs. There's a lot history on the page, but here's a sample of Mr. Walsh's analysis of the current state of things:

Most local politicians and even many neighborhood residents will tell you that the advent of these multi-story apartment buildings in Sunset Park represents the area's ascension in the past few years into a Brooklyn neighborhood to be reckoned with. I hope the ones that move into the apartments with the terraces whose right side faces a brick wall concur. Great view of the graffiti or, to be politically correct, street art...These developers are the real bad boys and they have arrived in Sunset Park at last.

Check it out here.

Tis (Almost) the Season: Community Board 7's Gift Drive

Community Board #7 is putting on its 20th Annual Holiday Gift Drive for the needy children in the Sunset Park & Windsor Terrace communities, and they are accepting donations. Their email says:

Over the years we have distributed thousands of toys to children but our success depends upon the kindness & generosity of everyone in the community.

We are seeking donations of NEW TOYS & CLOTHING for boys & girls from newborn to 12 years old. Donations must be UNWRAPPED!! Please drop off donations, Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm at our office located at:

Community Board #7
4201 4th Avenue (Corner of 43rd Street)
Brooklyn, N.Y. 11232

Donations of money to purchase toys can be made too. Write a check to the Sunset Park 5th Avenue B.I.D. And send it to the attention of Jeremy Laufer, District Manager, Community Board #7, 4201 4th Avenue, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11232. Donations are due by December 10.

GL is happy to help community organizations get the word out about their holiday drives so that readers who in a position to help and of a mind to do so can help. Please send notices to thegowanuslounge (at) gmail (dot) com. It will put smiles on our faces to be able to post them.

Bklink: Sunset Park Industrial Apple Orchard

Someday, this waterfront land in Sunset Park will be a magnificent $36 million public space, but it will require users to overlook a very toxic past. In the meantime, there are some incredible photos to be had.--Nathan Kensinger Photography

Upcoming: Neighbors Helping Neighbors Benefit

Neighbors Helping Neighbors, a nonprofit that provides assistance to first-time homebuyers and does tenant advocacy, among other things, is holding its first First Annual Benefit Bash on Monday, November 5th at Union Hall in Park Slope. The group says:

Neighbors Helping Neighbors is a non-profit organization located in Sunset Park. Through our Homeownership and Tenant Programs, we educate first-time homebuyers, engage in tenant advocacy, educate the community about predatory lending, and counsel to prevent foreclosures. To support this good work, we are holding:

NHN's First Annual Benefit Bash at Union Hall
Monday, November 5, 2007, 6:30 – 9:00 P.M.
Union Hall, 702 Union Street, Park Slope, Brooklyn
Tickets = $45

For full information, click here.

Sunset Park Rezoning Meetings Start Tonight

Sunset Park is one of the many Brooklyn neighborhoods where an eventual rezoning is in play. To that end, several community meetings are coming up. They're sponsored by Community Board 7, Council Member Sara Gonzalez and the Pratt Institute for Community Development. The first meeting is tonight (10/22) at 6:30PM. Here are details on the upcoming meetings from an email we received:

Monday, October 22, 2007: 6:30 p.m. at the Community Board offices at 4201 4th Avenue (entrance on 43rd Street off 4th Avenue). This meeting will be a workshop, conducted by Brad Lander and Paula Crespo of the Pratt Center for Community Development. It will basically be a class in "Rezoning 101" to give residents a basic foundation in what is involved in rezoning.

Saturday, October 27, 2007: 1:00 p.m. at the Sunset Park Recreation Center at 7th Avenue and 43rd Street ( inside Sunset Park). This meeting will provide an opportunity for residents and community groups to present their views on the rezoning of Sunset Park.

Wednesday, November 7, 2007: 6:30 p.m. Our Lady of Perpertual Help Auditorium, 5906 6th Avenue. This meeting will provide an another opportunity for residents and community groups to present their views on the rezoning of Sunset Park.

It will be interesting to see how the Sunset Park discussion develops.

Bklink: They're Really Calling It "Sun Slope"?

When we saw this yesterday, we couldn't get it out of our minds: A six-unit condo on Sixth Avenue with an awful history (including the death of a worker) is trying to market itself as being in "Sun Slope." Dear God.--Brownstoner