More Issues with (Carroll) Gardens

Seems that one Vincenzo Cumbo , decided to build a restaurant on the corner of 1st and Court, and then tried to slide some outdoor seating in there. Turns out that is not legit, and he was caught. From the Post:

"The gardens along First, Second, Third and Fourth places date back to 1846 and, according to an obscure city law, are meant for "courtyard use" only. 

But that law has been selectively enforced, residents said.

Over the decades, some homeowners have even cut their curbs to use the courtyards as parking spaces -- which is also illegal. Some are still getting away with it, residents say.

"We take pride in our gardens and consider them assets," said local activist Buddy Scotto.

After being told by The Post of the restaurant's plans, the city investigated, determined the sidewalk cafe would be illegal and said a stop-work order on construction would be issued."

Just off the top of my head, the following are businesses that utilize the public gardens for outdoor seating: Dunkin Donuts/Baskin Robbins, PJ Hanleys, Giardini Pizza, Gowanus Yacht Club. In addition, Hannah Senesh, Ices/Prema Yoga and Yes Cleaners use theirs for commercial purposes, and the courtyards at the Capital One, Me and My Egg Roll and next to Abeline are all paved. 

Although I clearly support the preservation of the gardens, why is this man being singled out, when there are dozens of violations up and down Court and Smith Streets in the exact same situation? Here's to equal enforcement and protection.

* It is interesting how the Post constructs their language to suit their viewpoint. When they like Buddy, he is the Mayor of Carroll Gardens. When they don't, he's an "activist". When they report on garden violators getting tickets, they are scofflaws, but now it is an "obscure" law. Not that we should be surprised. 

** The real shame here is the loss of that Mary on the Half Shell.

Inside a Tug Boat on the Gowanus Canal

An interesting video, from the inside of a tug boat pilot house of a tug boat going under the (raised) Hamilton Avenue Bridge, to dock at Benson Scrap Metal.

Another Brilliant Look Behind Old Doors

Sylvie Morgan Flatow, ne-of the Carroll Gardens Diary, took a look at Marietta, over at the Carroll Gardens Patch. Lets look behind some more old doors, as we've done plenty of times before:

"You wouldn’t be able to recreate a store like this if you tried. Film crews have been approaching Marietta for years because it dons that perfectly demoded look: antiquated blue and white cursive sign, behind-the-times display window of undergarments littered with words like “Special!” and “Value!” and inside, a muumuu rack fit for an Italian grandmother queen. 

The store is small. Most of the merchandise is packed in boxes, its contents and sizes written out in sharpie marker. 

Gloves: $1. Hat sale: $2.50. Panties: $5/pack of 3.

Does the idea of Marietta servicing the Carroll Gardens of today make me giggle? A little bit. That said, if I could put the store up on a pedestal, I would. "

Articles on Murder Show Lack of Real Estate Geography

The New York Times recently declared the Columbia Street Waterfront District an "up and coming neighborhood". However, apparently the New York Post never got the memo:

"Tajeme Sylvester, 31, a native of Jamaica and a Fordham University grad, was found shot in the head and chest at 5:45 p.m. yesterday inside the Lotus Temple of Visions Gallery on Summit Street near Hamilton Avenue, an artists enclave in Red Hook."

I hope they catch this guy, and when they do, they note that Summit Street is most assuredly not in Red Hook.

Post on old ILA Building on Carroll Gardens Patch

I wrote a post on the old ILA building at Carroll Gardens Patch. Check it out.

"Although no architectural masterpiece, and certainly not within the context of the existing built environment of brownstones and row houses, the building provided health care for ILA members and their families for years, having a full compliment of health care professionals under one roof. If an ILA member was out of work, he could receive his health care on the west side of Court Street, and then cross over to the east side to pick up his unemployment benefits (in the building now occupied by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints). Without the health center, ILA members now have health care plans like most other union members.

In 2000, the property was passed on to Long Island College Hospital, which sold it in November, 2007 for $23,750,000. The purchaser, a national developer named The Clarrett Group, promptly tore down the building in early 2008. They had planned to redevelop the site into a mix of townhomes, retail spaces and one large condo building, known as "The Collection at Court Street"."

What a great author! What prose!

Perfect Review of Vinny's

The comments on the reviews of Vinny's of Carroll Gardens on Brownstoner are laughable. People complain about it having "nothing to do with Italian food", and not understanding "why so many people eat here". On the other hand, Proof Pudding nailed it:

"Vinny’s is just a place to have some gravy poured over lasagna, to nosh on broccoli rabe, to chow down on a a sausage and pepper hero for 7 bucks, for ordering a gigantic plate of fried calamari with a soup-sized bowl of marinara sauce for dipping.  It is comfort food pure and simple.  So don’t be a hater!
...
Keep on being yourself Vinny, as they say in Brooklyn- don’t you change for nobody.  Proof."


Amen.

Mola Di Bari

Carroll Gardens owes much to Mola Di Bari. The procession of the Maria Addolorata. A tradition of baking. So many of its immigrants. The Gallo brothers. And the Van Westerhout Social Club. Apparently the Barese were a little jealous of the Siciliani, and wanted to mimic the naming of Henry Street, so with Community Board 6's blessing, Court Street between 3rd and 4th Places will soon be known as "Citizens of Mola Way". From the Brooklyn Paper:

"The Van Westerhout Cittadini Molesi Social Club on Court Street and Fourth Place, one of the last two remaining area social clubs, proposed the co-naming to celebrate nothing less than the American dream — not just for Mola, but for all immigrants.

“We all made good in the United States,” said Pino Deserio, the facility manager at the Red Hook Ikea, who came to Brooklyn in 1970 when he was 17-years-old. “We all realized our American dream.”"

There are many Italian (and Barese) businesses on that block, including Mazzone, Caputo's, Good Food, and Vinny's. Very appropriate.