The Times on the Meeker plume and difficulties getting homeowners to open their buildings to inspectors:
But while fixing the problem is relatively easy, agency officials said, getting some residents to cooperate is not… [Many] homeowners — worried about a blow to their property values or even being forced from their homes — have ignored letters asking for access to their buildings, or have refused to answer the door for investigators.
Halstead will also halt sales at the Steelworks Lofts, an 88-unit condominium in a former steel warehouse on North Fourth Street in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, a few blocks from the waterfront.
The Broadway Triangle saga continues, with the coalition of outsider groups calling for larger buildings. BTC is calling for buildings up to 20 stories, but what does that mean in terms of density? The current proposal is a mix of R6A and R7A – pretty dense by neighborhood standards.
On a related note – does anyone have a report on the BTC charrette that was held last Wednesday? If so, drop me an email (I had family obligations that I couldn’t shift on short notice).
After three and a half years, the saga at 202 Franklin continues. According to the News, the current owner bought the property (post-fire) for $610,000 and is trying to sell it for $900,000. While the owner can afford to offer the tenants $100,000 buyout packages, he has done nothing to make the repairs required to get the tenants back into the building.
When: Monday December 8, 2008 @ 7pm
Where: 136 Milton Street (Greenpoint Reformed Church) between Manhattan Ave and Franklin Ave
An update to the Ismael Leyva designed tower on West Street, and their application to increase the tower height from 30 to 39 stories. CB1 voted overwhelmingly in favor of the project at last nights board meeting. I was truant, but understand there was no drama.
Meltzer/Mandl, the architects for the Viridian condo in Greenpoint (Magic Johnson, blah, blah, blah) have announced that they have completed the design of the project. Which is good, I guess, because the contractors have been building the project for a year and a half now. Maybe now they can address some of those punch list items Miss Heather noted last week.
Tomorrow evening, NAG will be holding a working meeting to further develop their organizing agenda for 2009. Based on ideas generated by the community at the Oct 2, 2008 Town Hall Organizing Meeting and on feedback from a survey completed by community members, the working meeting will start to develop the following issues as NAG’s priority organizing issues for 2009:
Preserving Affordable Housing Options for Residents
Improving Open Space and Access to the Waterfront
Offering Safe and Quick Transportation Options For the Neighborhood
Improving our Quality of Life and Preserving Community Character
This is an opportunity for folks to help develop the priorities for the coming year(s) for this important neighborhood advocacy group.
What: Kicking off NAG’s 2009 Organizing Agenda
When: Thursday December 4, 2008 at 7pm
Where: Holy Ghost Church Hall Basement, 160 North 5th Street (between Bedford and Driggs)
