By Kim Velsey 3/18 4:53pm

Fundraising

Would a library in a private developer's high rise be the same? Brownstoner

Is the Public Getting Swindled By the City’s Short-Sighted School and Library Sell-Offs?

The City of New York, like many other large landowners, has been selling its land for centuries. However, these last few months have brought what many consider to be a disconcerting flurry of real estate transactions as the city, citing a cash crunch, moves to sell off a number of schools, libraries and municipal buildings.

The city and others have lauded the sell-off as a way to bring much-needed monies to institutions that are in dire need of help. Trading in valuable real estate, we are told, will keep the city’s civic institutions afloat. If only it didn’t have the vaguely desperate vibe of a pawn shop swap. Read More

By Kim Velsey 8/27/12 7:43pm

Atlantic Yards

What weathering steel looks like up close.

Barclay’s Arena Rusted-Out Look Not a Huge Hit With Everyone

Now that the finishes touches are being put on Barclay’s Arena, it has become apparent to neighbors and passers-by that the building will not be getting a coat of paint to cover its rusty exterior. Because it’s supposed to be that way. While this is old news to most neighborhood opponents—who zealously perused construction designs—it has surprised some others.

“I thought they were going to paint it,” commented one man to The New York Times, which has a story about the structure’s rusty surface. Read More

By Sarah Grothjan 7/03/12 6:30pm

Congestion grows in Brooklyn

There will be a few more people in real life.

Brooklyn Residents Less Than Thrilled About Atlantic Yards Congestion

The residents in the neighborhoods bordering Barclays Arena will almost certainly be stuck with congestion and beer-swilling visitors, but at least they may be spared a multi-level nightclub.

The landlord is evicting Kemistry Lounge’s owners for non-payment of rent, putting a halt (if only a temporary one) to their clubbing brainchild, Brownstoner reports. That’s good news for those nearby the lounge’s would-be home at 260 Flatbush Avenue. Read More