Carroll Gardens Wiki

Who we are and our "Clarett and Present Danger"

We are a group of residents in northern Carroll Gardens who have gathered together in a bid to prevent our homes from being pounded to pieces by the Clarett Group's construction at 340 Court St. (see the meeting notes in the table at left for a chornology of the damages done and promises broken to date).  We are also now turning our attention to other quality-of-life issues like crime, traffic congestion and the environment.  To join our list, send an email request to usba@googlegroups.com. You'll be guaranteed to never miss news like this:

AN URGENT MESSAGE! MEETING TOMORROW AT 8:45 A.M.:

SITE-SEEING: MEET AT THE CORNER OF COURT AND SACKETT

This just in from the always-active Vince Joseph:

We have a chance to meet with Paul Nelson and Tom Gray Thursday morning 8:45 AM on the corner of Court and Sackett St. to walk around the 340 Court St site and to discuss the construction plan and timetable, ECT. They have completely closed the sidewalk on Sackett St, eliminated the parking and will begin to use Sackett St as a staging areas for trucks.

We have these issues and many more concerns so please join us with your questions if you can. Thank you all.

ASPCA MOBILE ADOPTION UNIT ON UNION STREET, SUNDAY APRIL 13

Hey, fans of furry friends! Take your minds off doing last-minute taxes this weekend and visit the ASPCA Mobile Adoption Unit this coming Sunday, April 13, from 12 to 4 p.m. at Love Thy Pet on Union between Henry and Hicks. Contact the store for more information, and be sure to be advised whether the stringent requirements for adoption outlined here at the 92nd Street shelter apply to the Mobile Unit as well.

 

MONTHLY MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT

 

The Union-Sackett Block Association's monthly meeting is this Saturday, April 12th at 11:30 AM at the Carroll Gardens Branch of the Brooklyn Public Library (Corner of Clinton and Union Sts.)

Topics on the agenda include a review of last Thursday's meeting with Clarett and Rogers Marvel, downzoning, and our much-deserved block party.

Thank you to all those who attended the meeting at PS 58 last week. You all showed incredible support and revealed to the Clarett Group and Rogers Marvel our devotion and commitment to our neighborhood.

 

 

APRIL 3RD'S MEETING

Actually, I (Diane S.) was not able to attend April 3rd's meeting. However, there is plenty of blog coverage through The Gowanus Lounge  , Brownstoner , Pardon Me for Asking and I even found this video footage from the meeting.

Hmmm...I'm having technical difficulty. Let's see if Gian T. can post the video up....

Dear Diane, I think I got it -- you just have to click on the little film strip and then insert the URL:) 

 

 

 

 

 

UPDATE ON CARROLL STREET MURDER

From the New York Post, 04/02/08:

"A man was charged yesterday with murdering an acquaintance in Carroll Gardens, police said.

The victim, Sanjeer Seekoomar, 34, was discovered by his landlord in his basement apartment on Carroll Street on March 25. A source said the suspect, Paul Norris, 32, knew the victim."

 

HELP DISTRIBUTE OUR FLYERS FOR THE APRIL 3RD MEETING!

posted by Gian T. and Diane S.

 

Here is a copy of the two-page newsletter/flyer promoting our meeting with the Clarett group on April 3rd at PS 58. As many local residents do not have access to this wiki or our blog or email group, volunteers are needed to help print them out and distribute them in the neighborhood. 

See Page One | See Page Two

 

 

COMMANDING OFFICER OF 76 PRECINCT MEETS WITH COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVES

On March 31, the Commanding Officer of the 76th Precinct, Deputy Inspector Kemper, joined a breakfast meeting attended by representatives of several community groups, including the Union-Sackett Block Association. One of the main topics of discussion was the recent rash of burglaries in the area -- including five break-ins in a 48-hour period in mid March. The precinct is employing aggressive tactics to apprehend the perpetrators of these crimes, as well as to deter future burglaries. D.I. Kemper feels such efforts have been effective in that more than two weeks have passed without further incident.

D.I. Kemper urged the community to take advantage of several programs the NYPD offers through the 76th Precinct, including the free security assessments for your home, business and even your car. Contact Officer Steve Forsythe at 718-834-3203 for more information and to make an appointment.

 

REMINDER FOR APRIL 3RD MEETING AND FLYER

 

 

Please save this date and encourage all members of the community to attend. You can click on the flyer image above to enlarge it. If you have the time, print and distribute.

Please note: in preparation for the April 3rd event, there is a planning meeting this Saturday, March 29 at 11:30 AM in the Carroll Gardens Branch of the Brooklyn Public Library, located on the corner of Clinton and Union.

3/27: ADDENDUM: CHANGE IN PRECINCT COMMUNITY COUNCIL MEETING LOCATION

April 1st's 76 Precinct's Community Council meeting will be held at a special location --

Tuesday, April 1, 2008 at 7:30pm
Red Hook Community Justice Center at 88-94 Visitation Place

For additional information call Community Affairs at (718) 834-3207

I understand transportation to and from the one-time only location will be provided by the Precinct.

3/25: Murder on Carroll Street

[1]

I don't believe we've had a murder in the neighborhood for over three years. But today a young man was found slain in his basement apartment on Carroll Street.  The indefatigable Diane S. sent me the news and also this link to a WCBS-TV video here:

Meeting with 76th Precinct Set for Tuesday...

 posted by Diane S. on 3/25/06

I hope you are all aware of the recent burglaries in our immediate neighborhood including on two on Union Street between Henry and Clinton in mid-March 2008.

I am surprised that more is not being done to make both tenants and home owners aware of this. In some cases, entry to apartments/buildings is being made through unsecured windows next to fire escapes. It is important to get this information to all of our neighbors as no one has been apprehended for this crimes as of yet (March 25, 2008).

This group seems to have as part of the mission statement something about preserving the quality of life here in Carroll Gardens. Well, I don't see how being robbed blind helps anyone's quality of life!

Another issue I have noticed that some in this group might want to be made aware of is that many of our neighbors on our blocks simply have no idea that we have a block association. More needs to be done to get the word out.

Anyhow, I have the following information from the 76th Precinct's Web site --

"Meetings: The precinct community council meets the first Tuesday of each month at the 76th precinct station house at 7:30."

From this info, it appears that the next Community Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 1, 2008.

PLEASE ATTEND!

...And With DA Charlie Hynes on Monday

This just in from Maria Pagano (rhea436@aol.com): 

Hi All,     We have been invited to meet with Brooklyn DA Charles Hynes to talk about crime in CG over breakfast.   Mr. Hynes can join us here  on Monday, Mar. 31 at the location of our choice.  DI Kemper will also be there.  Who's cooking?     RSVP, please! 

Meeting Saturday, 2/9 at 11:30 a.m. at the Library

We will be meeting again on Saturday at the libary.

We may be taking some pictures, so please avoid wearing white if possible.

See the Union-Sackett Block Association Blog for more details.

2/02: Hey, I'm on TV -- News 12 Story on B'klyn Camo Closing

Many thanks to Na'deem Douglas of News12 Brooklyn for letting me do a MOS (man in street)  interview on the closing of Brooklyn Camo. My statement went something like,

"Well, in past few years, we've lost a bike store, an appliance repair store and now an army-navy store. All sold very useful/necessary things that saved having to trip far away.

They don't sell drive belts for washing machines and gaskets for dishwashers at Rite Aid -- and you can't buy workclothes from American Apparel to wear while doing repairs around the house. "

Wish I had added this line: "Of course, Ned's army surplus jumpsuits and and army surplus biowarfare protection gear also comes in handy when a builder does frenetic and unregulated asbestos removal down the block from you."

"And his full line of Carhartt's work gear comes in handy when your repairing damage to your home caused by same builder."

The Story on News12 Website (if you're not a cable subscriber, you have to buy a temporary subscription)

2/01: Downzone Will Have to Wait...

The Brooklyn Paper publishted this update on the petition to downzone Carroll Gardens. An excerpt:

City officials turned aside two parts of a Carroll Gardens Councilman’s three-pronged assault on supposed over-development this week — including the lawmaker’s bid for an immediate moratorium on new construction over 50 feet tall and a call to speed up a proposed downzoning.

But Councilman Bill DeBlasio (D–Carroll Gardens) brought home some good news when he learned the Department of City Planning would hold hearings next month to reduce new building heights and densities on several blocks....Read Full Story

...As Meeting With Clarett Languishes

At our December 21th meeting with the Clarett Grop, their officials promised to make a public presentation of the plans for 340 Court Street. No such meeting has been forthcoming, so the The Union -Sackett Block  Association's Executive Committee has drafted this letter demanding both a meeting and adherence to a 50-foot height limit.

The USBA's initial letter to Clarett asking for clarification of several key points  of disagreement and explanations for Clarett's failure to honor earlier promises was met with a letter containing point-by-point explanations that did little to assuage neighbor's concerns.

Video from the protest 1/30/2008

First city councilman Bill DeBlasio:

 And then representatives from Assemblywoman Joan Millamn, State Senator Martin Connor and Rep. Yvette Clark and the Carroll Gardens Neighborhood Association.

Many thanks to the USBA for letting us use this video

A Proposed Letter to Mayor Mike Seeking Aid

Anne at the Union-Sackett Block Association blog posted this sample letter that we are all being asked to send to Hizzoner. I say hurrah for a great writing job that states our case very well:

C.O.R.D. Letter to Mayor Bloomberg

Please help us write to the MAYOR!

Calling all Carroll Gardens!

Please Dear C. G. Resident:

Copy/paste this letter below and send it ASAP to Mayor Bloomberg! Here is the link...it's so easy!!

Dear Mayor Bloomberg:

We are Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn. We have sought relief from the hyper-development that is taking place here through moratorium petition (3000+ signatures), contextual downzoning application (an undetermined wait time), amendments to the zoning text (a fairly lengthy and only partial solution), City Council Resolution (valiant and appreciated, but unbinding), expansion of our historic district (a volatile, divisive topic) and a rally at Borough Hall organized by our Councilman and Assemblywoman.

We have overcrowded schools, dirty streets and air, inadequate public transportation. We have far too many stop work orders regularly issued for dangerous construction situations. We have no nearby Post Office. Almost all of the private parking lots have been developed. All of our local elected officials have recently requested information from both the DOB and the MTA/NYCTA regarding their communication and procedures when construction is being conducted in close proximity to our subway tunnel. There are currently dozens of such projects, an unprecedented amount for our Smith Street corridor, most of which seemed to be completely under the MTA/NYCTA radar. We are all concerned. The pace here is fast, and all too often, homeowners are paying the price in property damages, simply for living next to, nearby or behind a developer who has hired careless workers employing, at times, questionable practices.

Read the local blogs, Mr. Mayor, take a look at our local papers. We have been crying out for months for help. We are not anti-development. All we want is thoughtful, responsible, respectful development. We love where we live. We would like to preserve it. Won't you please help us?

Respectfully,

XXXXX (sign you name here)

Thank you so much for your help! Together we will protect Carroll Gardens from overdevelopment!

CG C.O.R.D./Carroll Gardens Coalition for Respectful Development

visit www.carrollgardenspetition.blogspot.com for a longer, more comprehensive letter, which can be mailed by hand.

Protest Coverage: The Shills Paint Us as Racist, Elitist NIMBYs:

Many thanks to everyone who turned out for the protest at Boro Hall today. Here are some coverage notes:

Brooklyn Eagle: Traditional News story with some unique details.

Brownstoner: Good coverage, and a busy comment thread where a likley builder/realtor shill who goes by the name of Polemicist kicked off the thread by  sharply criticizing us about for wanting to maintain our neighborhood and protect our homes from out-of-control develpers. He also referred to us as "rabble", which is indicative of many things (aside from his immaturity):

1. The builders are really worried about this

2. Their shills are so angry that they lack the subtlety to even feign any adherence to civilized discourse or avoid credibility sapping ad hominem attacks.

3. They need some online community consultants to help them manage their shill postings more effectively.

We are basically lambasted as rich, out-of-touch folks. It wouldn't hurt to engage in some discourse there that might counteract community character assassination.

Gowanus Lounge:  Nice quick summary, and a discussoin thead about how our opponents are trying to cast us as Nimbys.

Here's a response I posted on Brownsoner about Polemicist and other shills attempts to paint us as being rich folks who don't want poor folks in the nabe:

Funny, last I checked, noise from builders working at night, asbestos in the air from their unchecked demoliton and streets made slippery by ice caused by their using city hydrants for their own construction needs are just as dangerous to renters as they are to homeowners.

And all of that has happened in just the past month at the 340 Court site.

Oh, and I forgot, when the builder starts slamming the site with a backhoe and cornices start coming loose, I'm sure that they will only hit rich people.

We are out protesting by any means possible because overdevelopment in general and the Clarett Corp. in particular has left us no other choice.

Oh, and the buildings planned for that seven story building at 340 Court consists of 16 single family townhouses (maisonettes was the name given that that should jack the price up even more) and 32 two-and-three bedroom units -- because the builders themselves are on record as saying that will maximize their return in this market.

Not leaving room for poor and mid-income folks? Maybe you should direct your ire at the builders themselves.

Or would that entail a bit of self-criticism?

Gian Trotta
cgunion.wik.is

An Update from the Clarett Group 1/29

Gian note: This was sent to the Union-Sackett Block Association by David Lowin, a Clarett Group official who has been designated as the group's primary liason with the community.

A Place for Protest Stories, Photos and Video!

340 Court: Loud Sunday Work Noted 1/28

The Gowanus Lounge reports that the upper windows were covered and a loud generator was operating on Sunday -- and that applications have been filed.

No Day of Rest at 340 Court, as Application is Filed

Gian Notes: As Asbestos removal is over, this would seem to fall under "general construction" -- and fly in the face of Clarett's Daniel Hollander's promise that work would only take place during normal working hours.

Gowanus Lounge Has Some Nice Things to Say: 1/26

I have been enjoying and appreciating the Gowanus Lounge blog's excellent coverage of Brooklynomics in general and 340 Court in general for a long time, but was grafified to see this note about this wiki today:

340 Court Gets More Carroll Gardens Love & a Wiki

here is an except: 

…the he graphic on the… is from the building's fascinating Wiki. Once glance told us it's something that more and more organized neighbors will be (and ought to be) doing to create a record of the issues with their friendly neighborhood project.

Many thanks!

Protest Placard Placement Plans Proceed

There's been quite and enthusiastic response to our call the spread the word about Tuesday's demonstration to demand downsizing and a 50-foot construction limit, with many neighbors offering to hand out and post flyers. USBA member Karen, however, notes that:

Police officers in the 76th Precinct's van gave a "quality of life" summons to  adults who were attaching a flier to the traffic light poll on Clinton and Unian last September.  To avoid a fine, please make sure you know where to post.

So be careful when posting the placards.

Architect/Neighbor: Clarett a Pain in the Glass? 1/26 12:16

Jay Lubow, whow lives in the condos built in the former Congregational Church on Court St., contributed this item today:

Daily News Publishes article on 340 Court:

The article quotes Alan Lantz and Vince Joseph of USBA; Clarett's response to the reporter was disappointing:

Clarett Group spokesman Jimmy Lappas declined to comment on damage to nearby homes, but insisted the asbestos abatement complies with city, state and federal regulations.

"The Clarett Group has shared its development plans with local officials and community leaders and has had a positive reception to the project for its contextual design and sensitivity to the neighborhood," Lappas said.

Gian Note:  The article allows members to post comments, and I urge us all to do so. A free registration is required in order to post. Here is the full text of the one I began to post:

Dear Mr. Sederstrom,

I posted the following note on your article about 340 Court St. but if turns out there is a character limit, so only a part of it was published.

My name is Gian Trotta and I am a resident of Union Street who maintains a wiki (cgunion.wik.is) on behalf of the Union Sackett Block Association.

We are documenting all our interactions with and reactions to the Clarett Group, including full minutes of a meeting held on 12/21 in which Clarett Group representatives Daniel Hollander and David Lowin made several statements about the scope, hours and nature of work.

During this meeting, Mr. Hollander made a statment that "Some damage would be inevitable" in the case of adjoining residents.

What we have not seen is any proactive notification of homeowners that will document the current condition of their homes and detail Clarett's process for noting and fulfilling any damage claims.

The general infrastructure and specific components (e.g., clay drain lines, wooden cornices atop homes) are very vulnerable to damage -- Mr. Lantz's cornice has already begun to detach from his building and could pose a hazard to passers-by.

This, coupled withe the way the asbestos removal was handled, has catazlyzed myself and my neighbors into pursuing increasingly substantative forms or protest.

We simply do not feel a builder has a right to damage our homes without detailing any plans to compensate us for the actual damage and dislocation to our livelihoods it also entails.

We are organizing increasingly substantative means of exerting political, economic and social protests and activism to combat this. If Clarett chooses to address our concerns (and conduct the work at 340 Union) in a forthright way, we'll be glad to work with them. But if things continue as they have gone, I believe I speak for a large number of my neighbors that we will become increasingly active against them.

We all simply just have too much to lose if we don't.

Sincerly,

Gian Trotta

cgunion.wik.is

Daily News article on 340 Court ; Column on Heath and Michelle 1/24 6 p.m.

I spoke to Alan Lantz last night and he said the Daily News would be running an article on our struggle. Stay tuned for details. Speaking of newspapers, Cobble Hill resident Andrea Peyser penned this article on Heath and Michelle and how their move to Boerum Hill changed the neighborhood for good and ill.

I have sent Ms. Peyser numerous emails asking her to cover the 340 Court Story.

Outdoor protest: We have a date -- Tuesday, 1/29 at 11 a.m.

Join Councilmember Bill de Blasio, Assembly member Joan Millman, The Carroll Gardens Neighborhood Association, Carroll Gardens Coalition For Respectful Development, Baltic & Warren Neighbors, Columbia Waterfront Neighborhood Association and The Union-Sackett  Block Association And support a resolution calling upon the Department of City Planning to immediately commence a downzoning study of Carroll Gardens to protect our neighborhood.

The Resolution will call upon the Department of City Planning to immediately commence a downzoning study of Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn.

The resolution will also call upon the Department of Buildings to implement the appropriate procedure to protect the character of Carroll Gardens until the downzoning is complete.

Tuesday, January 29th

11:00AM

Brooklyn City Planning Office

16 Court Street
For additional information please call Tom Gray at 718-854-9791 Or Tagray1@gmail.com

Gian Note: Why are we holding a protest on a weekday when most people in the neighborhood work? Probably six people will be able to show and the news media and builders will says, "Oh, no one really cares"

Why don't we organize something for the Saturday after next -- a procession from the three hideous buildings on Court, Carroll and Smith we've had jammed into our nabes and down our (asbestos breathing) throats?

We could create some paper mache floats of old brownstones and bear them about atop litters, much like St. Stephens' parisioners carry the Madonna Addolarata about in September. And smash them at each stop to show how the buildings are destroying our neighborhood.

There's strength in numbers and impact in theater.

DEP Official Replies on Asbestos 1/23 12:31 p.m.

Hello Neighbors,

Below is an email from DEP with some more information regarding the situation at 340 Court Street. I also asked them to reevaluate there permit and appealed directly to Clarrett with the other elected officials to have them stop the leaky hydrant.

Thanks,
Tom Gray
District Director  
City Council Member Bill de Blasio
(718) 854-9791
(718) 854-1146 Fax

Good Morning Tom,

As per our conversation last week, 340 Court Street has filed the appropriate permits for asbestos removal and for use of the fire hydrant. In addition, our inspectors have been on site numerous times and have found no issues with the contractor.

Your constituent is concerned about proper posting of the asbestos permit. The contractor is required to have it posted at the entrance of the building, which our inspectors noted he does. This is an abandoned building and the entire area surrounding the building is a work site, therefore unless one works in the actual site they will not be able to see the posting from the street.

If you have any further questions or concerns, please contact me.

Thank you,

Effie

Assistant Director, Community Partnerships
NYC Department of Environmental Protection
Bureau of Communications & Intergovernmental Affairs
59-17 Junction Boulevard, 19th Floor
Elmhurst, New York 11373-5108

Gian Note: A search of the NYC DEP site showed a listing for an Effie Ardizzone,  Assistant Director, Community Partnerships at eardizzone@dep.nyc.gov and a phone number of 718 595-3493. I plan to call her on Thursday morning with a few more questions I have about the asbestos removal and urge others to do so.

Another Clarett Promise: We Won't Use Pile Driver System 1/23 1:01 p.m.

Hello Group,

Someone asked a question regarding pile driving v other methods of foundation work. The Clarett group is not using a pile foundation system. So there will be no pile driving. I am not sure what method they will be using but I will find out more details.

Thanks,
Tom Gray
District Director  
City Council Member Bill de Blasio
(718) 854-9791
(718) 854-1146 Fax

Gowanus Lounge:  Update on Asbestos Removal 1/23 12:10 a.m.

It appears that bags are being tossed from the roof directly down in to the dumpster.

If anyone has more pictures, please send them to trotta (rhymes with cat) trottamedia.com and I'll post them here.

Downzoning Protest Date Still TBD 1/22/2008, 10 p.m.

This just in from Vince Joseph of the Union-Sackett Block Association:

Dear All
Our group is again receiving email that there is still some internal debate in councilman De Blasio's office about the "correct"

time  for this rally. As of now the information below about the rally on the January 24th may not be correct. Please wait for more details  or check the CGNA yahoo page where Councilman De Blasio said he will post the correct information tomorrow. I apologize for any miscommunication on my part. 

Again sorry for any confusion.

Vince Joseph

Admin note: When it does take place, the protest will take place at