WNYC checks in on the rezoning of Williamsburg.

“It’s like St. Marks in the ’70s,” said Williamsburg activist Philip DePaolo, referring to the notorious East Village hangout. “It’s the bad old days all over again. There’s crack and heroin all over the neighborhood.”

The Daily News picks up on the crusties/stalled condo squatter meme (Williamsburg is Dead was there first). DN does manage to put an address on the problem – 510 Driggs, at the corner of North 9th, is supposedly a shooting gallery. I think that means the vacant lot next to this building. Can anyone ID actual buildings that are used as squats?

If Brooklyn is home to the devastating housing quake, Williamsburg is the epicenter of the disaster.

More on the New York article soon.

Heh. Compared to other rezonings, Williamsburg-Greenpoint is practically awash in new open space. Of course much of it remains to be acquired. And just about all of it remains to be built. But things may be looking up.

He might not be constitutional, but at least our new Lieutenant Governor has good taste in restaurants:

This is my favorite restaurant, and I wouldn’t take the oath of office anywhere else.

I guess Ravitch will find out soon enough what the Albany restaurant scene is – I assume he is in for a let down.

Paterson’s surprise decision to appoint Richard Ravitch as lieutenant governor, legally questionable as it is, works for the accidental incumbent…

The Senate’s sandbox pissing match isn’t Paterson’s fault, but it sure hasn’t helped him look any more gubernatorial. Or capable. Maybe that’s why the Governor himself* called me this evening to explain what a great idea it is to bypass the constitution and open state government up to a whole new level of lawsuits and stalemates. If anything, this latest move proves that not only do we need to elect an entirely new State Senate, we also need to seriously revamp the State Constitution.

* It was a robocall – you probably got one too.