Former BHB/CHB contributor Sarah Portlock has created a new multimedia Web site called Characters of Gowanus. The website provides a comprehensive look at the recently designated Superfund site and features an interactive timeline of the Gowanus and an interview with the EPA regional Superfund director. The project, created with Rob Anderson, is part of the pair’s multimedia thesis at Columbia University’s School of Journalism.
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Vigil Tonight For Hate Crime Victim
Tonight at 8:30 p.m., community leaders will host a vigil for a victim of last week’s brutal hate crime. The vigil will be held on Luquer St. between Hamilton Ave. and Clinton St.
State Senator Daniel Squadron will join Borough President Marty Markowitz and City Council Speaker Christine Quinn at the vigil tonight, held in response to last Tuesday’s attack of a man in Carroll Gardens who was surrounded by men who shouted anti-gay epithets as they beat him.
Millman Responds to Alleged Hate Crime
Assembly member Joan Millman responded today to reports of an assault that happened last week near the corner of Luquer Street and Hamilton Avenue that sent the victim the hospital.
Last Tuesday, March 2, around 1 a.m. police found a 22-year-old man who was assaulted by five males while they uttered anti-gay slurs to him. He suffered lacerations to the back of the head and bruises to his face and was sent to the hospital in stable condition.
“I am outraged to hear of this hateful verbal and physical attack that took place in my Assembly District, and I extend my deepest sympathies to the victim,” Millman said. “I am confident that the NYPD’s Hate Crimes Unit will investigate this assault to the fullest of its abilities. Any person with information about this crime is urged to contact the NYPD’s 76th Precinct Detective Squad directly at 718-834-3221.”
Times Awards Two Stars to Saul
The Times dining section makes a rare trip to Brooklyn for this week’s dining review by interim dining critic Pete Wells. For his final review, Wells gives Saul a two stars, praising the restaurant as a staple for “neighbors [who] wanted Manhattan-style meals without crossing a bridge.”
One of the first restaurants to bring a contemporary sensibility to Brooklyn when it appeared on Smith Street in 1999, it has neither faded, nor stood still, nor sought a personality transplant. Instead Saul Bolton, the chef and the owner with his wife, Lisa, has upgraded just about everything in their modest storefront. Saul is the same restaurant, but better.
76 Precinct Meeting Tonight in Red Hook
From the 76th Precinct:
The 76th Precinct Community Council meets on the first Tuesday of every month, except July and August. Our next meeting is on Tuesday October 6 at 7:30 PM. The meeting will be held at the Red Hook Justice Center, 88-94 Visitation Place, between Richards Street and Van Brunt Street. All are invited to attend. We will provide transportation to and from the Justice Center from the 76th Precinct Station House for those that require it.
MTA Agent at Carroll Street Station Saved
This just in from Assemblywoman Joan Millman’s office: The station agent at the President Street entrance of the Carroll Street subway station will continue to work there as construction work on the Second Place entrance begins.
“With the closing of the 2nd Place entrance for up to a year due to construction and the subsequent increased ridership at the President Street entrance, it is critical for rider safety to have a Station Customer Assistance agent present there in the event of an emergency,” Millman said.
The Second Place entrance will be closed starting September 15th due to construction at 360 Smith Street; however, the entrance at 2nd Street will remain open. The MTA will retain the current hours of SCA staffing (6:00 AM until 9:15 PM, Monday through Saturday) at the President Street entrance until the 2nd Place entrance can be safely reopened.
76th Precinct News Round-up: Crime Down, but Burglary Up
Last month, crime declined 9.8% when compared to the same period a year ago, with no homicides or rapes reported. Additionally, both auto theft and grand larceny declined 40%. Robberies remained unchanged.
The big surprise was an unexpected 31% increase in burglary, with 17 incidents compared to 13 in 2008. The burglaries were primarily commercial buildings and vehicles. Continue Reading →
Photos of Smith Street Building Collapse
Construction workers and white police tape took over Huntington Street at Smith Street today, as emergency work began on a collapsed portion of the H.M.A. Warehouse, which occurred around 10 p.m. last night. More photos after the jump. Continue Reading →
Cobble Hill defies housing price slump
Housing prices were up one percent last quarter in Cobble Hill, the only Brooklyn neighborhood to see an increase. Across Brooklyn, the average housing price fell 18 percent, according to data from HMS Associates, a Brooklyn-based real estate appraisal firm.
While prices may be up, however, Cobble Hill housing sales plummeted 62 percent compared to the same period last year.
The steep decline could be good news for those looking to buy. “If you are able to come up with the financing, there is a lot of inventory out there,” said Sam Heskel, an appraiser.
Cobble Hill’s average housing price is now $933,438, compared to the borough-wide average of $548,560.
76th and 84th Precinct Police Blotter – 7/1/09
It was a bad week to be a fast-food employee, as there were two armed robberies at fast-food joints, a series of vehicle thefts and a pair of thefts from strollers (don’t worry, there were no babies involved). Continue Reading →
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