Snowy Pictures!

A local resident took some pictures of the snowstorm earlier this weekend and shared them with us via Twitter. Check out a few below and look at the whole album on Flickr.




Photos from by J. Conor's Flickr

Brooklyn Paper: Columbia St. is right mix of hip and home

An article that ran in the NY Post / The Brooklyn Paper late last week profiled our neighborhood as struggling under the designation as "the next Williamsburg" and having a "boom that never came." It also reaches the conclusion that that might actually be a good thing, as the overall description of the neighborhood at the top of the article is "the right mix of hip and home."

The article gives some overall descriptions of the neighborhood and then goes on to profile many of our local businesses in a great light - pointing out that there are still things to do in the winter months, despite what some may think.

If you are reading this and are not familiar with our area, please note that there are many other businesses not profiled in the article as well! See our list on the sidebar.

A snippet is below. Click here to read the whole thing.

Like many neighborhoods on the edge of Brooklyn’s bustling Downtown, the Columbia Street Waterfront District has been struggling under the weight of being “the next Williamsburg” for a few years now.

But just as Greenpoint and DUMBO earned — and then casually tossed aside — that designation to become interesting, but never frenzied, neighborhoods, so has the stretch of Columbia Street between Atlantic and Hamilton avenues.

Yes, there are plenty of great places to eat and drink, shop or browse — and one music venue that ranks with the best in the city — but Columbia Street remains a quiet livable neighborhood.

Part of that is certainly due to its mass transit isolation — the best way to get to the area is probably via the Ikea shuttle from Borough Hall rather than anything provided by the MTA.

But the neighborhood’s status is also no doubt due to the boom that never really came. For every pioneer that has made it — Alma — there are two that didn’t (Red’s Tapas Bar on the south end of the strip and Pit Stop, that pitch-perfect French bistro on the north end, both closed within a few months of each other).

Stalled Development Sites

Council member Brad Lander recently unveiled a new website that provides information on stalled development sites across the 39th Council District. The purpose of this site is to make information on the sites readily available and to start a discussion about possible legislative changes and other long term solutions that could remedy the problems that these sites represent for our communities.

Many of the development sites on the list were submitted to his office by local residents, so while the list has many locations, it is not complete. The Columbia Waterfront section, for example, shows two sites, while I'm sure that there are several more. Please visit this new website and submit information on anything that you find missing so that it can be as comprehensive as possible. We wouldn't want to miss out on any positive changes to these development sites by forgetting to submit information!

Check out the website here and read below for a portion of the email that announced the release of the project:

Many of you have talked to me about stalled development sites on your blocks - half-built structures, abandoned foundations, or vacant lots surrounded by plywood fencing. Too often, we've seen fences falling down onto sidewalks and loose construction debris blow in the wind. Many blocks have been turned into "moonscapes."

We need to take action to confront the problem - to make sure the sites are safe and secure, and to work together on longer-term solutions. Some sites are appropriate to become mixed-income or affordable housing. Some have violated our zoning rules and must be corrected. Some could provide pocket-parks or community gardens.

We thought the way to start was to get our community on the same (web)page about just what is going on at these stalled development sites. So we got right to work creating a new, interactive tool.

Brooklyn Botanica Presents: Winter Wonderland tonight!

Tonight at 8:30 Pm

Brooklyn Botanica presents: Winter Wonderland

From their facebook page:
Come enjoy the Winter Wonderland for the final snowstorm of the year. We will be experimenting with SnowCone Cocktails (yellow ones half price), and hosting team snowball fights for anyone game...

DJ's Hans Schenck & Mike Donofrio will be spinning up their own storm.

Location: 220 Conover St.

Columbia Waterfront CSA at the Urban Meadow

The Urban Meadow team is in the early stages of setting up a CSA (community supported agriculture program) at the garden and would like to get a sense of how many community members would be interested in participating.

If you'd be interested in participating in a local CSA, please contact me at cbarker1 {at} gmail.com. We need a certain level of interest shown in order to be able to officially set it up.

** You would not need to be a member of the Urban Meadow to participate in a CSA there, and expressing interest in participation does not imply your commitment at this time.

Don't know what a CSA is? Check out the description provided by Just Food below:

CSA allows city residents to have direct access to high quality, fresh produce grown locally by regional farmers.

When you become a member of a CSA, you’re purchasing a “share” of vegetables from a regional farmer. Weekly or bi-weekly, from June until October or November, your farmer will deliver that share of produce to a convenient drop-off location in your neighborhood.

CSA members pay for an entire season of produce upfront (typically $400-$600). This early bulk payment enables your farmer to plan for the season, purchase new seed, make equipment repairs, and more.

Shares usually include 7-10 types of vegetables, enough for a family of 2-3 people. Most CSAs also offer half shares for smaller households or busy New Yorkers who frequently eat out.

Many CSAs also offer the option of other produce from local farms. For a few extra dollars a week, in addition to your vegetables, you can add fruit, eggs, meat, and even flowers to your order.

Read more at the Just Food website here

Reminder: Submit accident information and take Safer Streets survey

A member of our Facebook group uploaded the above accident photo this week, which shows an accident that took place last August on Summit and Columbia between a truck and a car.

Since our neighborhood walk-through with representatives from the DOT and Elected Official offices was postponed due to the snow last week, there's still time for community residents to submit photos, videos, or details about accidents and other traffic issues, as well as to take the COWNA Safer Street Survey.

The new COWNA Environment Committe

Concerned about environmental issues in our community? Looking for a way to get involved in local issues?

If so, then please consider participating in the newly established Environment Committee of the Columbia Waterfront Neighborhood Association (COWNA)!!!

The Environment Committee will conduct research, outreach, and advocacy around locally relevant environmental issues, ranging from small issues to large ones.

Some topics on the agenda for discussion during the first meeting include:

- Adding more bike racks to the neighborhood
- Planting more trees and protecting the existing ones
- Reducing port and traffic related emissions
- Building capacity and participation at local parks, gardens, and green spaces
- Access to composting, recycling, and e-waste disposal

You're also welcome to bring your own ideas and areas of interest to the table!

The first meeting will be this Thursday, 2/25, at 7pm. Please email cbarker1 {at} gmail.com if you would like to come to the meeting or participate on the committee in any way.

Fultummys International Sandwich Cafe coming to Columbia St soon!

We heard from the owner of this space a while back that the new tenant would be offering some sort of Asian cuisine. In the months since, we've also heard murmurs of an "international sandwich cafe."

Well today, the new sign is up on what used to be the Piccolo Cafe space, and it reads Fultummys. A quick search on the internet brought us to their facebook page, which confirms the description of International Sandwich Cafe (see flyer/logos below). The facebook page also mentions that they've been working on entirely redoing the space (see image below) and that they hope to be open as early as this week!

We're hoping some Vietnamese Sandwiches will be among the options! Its also so exciting to see something new opening up in light of recent losses.

Remodeling and flyer images from the Fultummy's facebook page.

Community Survey for Pratt Study

As a part of the current study of the neighborhood being conducted by Pratt planning and preservation students, a survey has been developed to see what the community sees as landmarks or places of importance in the Columbia Waterfront neighborhood. Please take a few minutes and complete this survey which will help with data collection and planning for the future of the neighborhood.

Click Here to take survey

Upcoming classes at Brooklyn General

Brooklyn General has some new upcoming classes. You can never have enough stuff listed under the "hobbies/skills" section of your resume.

SEWING CHILDREN'S CLOTHES
Create a one-of-a-kind garment for a child.
Session A: Tuesdays, February 23, March 2, 9 & 16 @ 10 am-12 pm
$160/session

KNITTING FINISHING, TIPS & TRICKS
Beautifully knit projects can be ruined by sloppy finishing. This class will give you the skills you need to make your knitted garments a success from start to finish.
Session A: Sundays February 28 & March 7 @5pm-7pm


To sign up please call the store at (718) 237-7753!

See you at the shop!