Avalon Fort Greene Growing Like a Weed…Repost
I want to repost this after getting a nasty comment from Andrew Baranello, a project manager at Avalon Bay. His comment speaks volumes as to why I used the term “growing like a weed”. He feels that “if I think I can be a better mayor I should run, otherwise keep my comments to myself”.. Does he seem on edge? If you think your project is such a great addition to the neighborhood why are you so agitated by a post on a neighborhood blog?
Andrew, anyone who doesn’t think development went out of control in this city must be blind. If you can find someone without a vested interest in the project who supports it I’m open to debate but you are clearly biased. Your paycheck depends on it. I’ll repeat my opinion… I’m all about improving the area but projects such as yours which are out of touch with the community have sucked the soul out of parts of this city.
Click on the Comments link to view Mr. Baranello’s thoughts on my original post…
Image from brownstoner.com
This building is technically not in Fort Greene and I’m not a fan of it’s 41 stories of luxury rentals but it’s coming regardless of what I think. I wonder who’ll be renting there. There’s a whole lot of supply on the market when it comes to high rises these days. Given the tax abatement situation I knew they would need to break ground but this building and 80 Dekalb are going up quickly. I’ve got a feeling it will be basically become a post college dorm like the Avalon Bowery. We see what’s happened to the Lower East Side over the past few years. Let’s pray the same doesn’t happen in Fort Greene.
The developer driven rezoning and “high- rise condofication” of the city has resulted in rampant overbuilding. At this rate Bloomberg may have trouble getting re-elected (okay I know he’ll spend whatever necessary to win). That being said, his approval rating has plummeted and it will only get worse as city services (MTA, NYPD, NYFD, libraries, etc.) are cut back. I don’t think he’s very empathetic of those with less than 7 figures in the bank. His almost Napoleonic, self righteous behavior (third term, refusing to send out rebate checks, etc.) as of late has definitely rubbed me the wrong way and I actually really liked the guy.
Here’s a story from The Brooklyn Eagle discussing the building…
Pretty cynical article about the development and the administration. Maybe your comments should be on a more positive note about how, in spite of the current economic climate AvalonBay Communities continues to forge forward with this development, which, by the way, rests on a site where there were abandoned drug dens set on contaminated soil. Those are both gone and they will be replaced with working, tax paying families that will do nothing short of improving the area, just like they did in The Bowery.
If you have a better plan you should certainly speak up. If you would make a better mayor you should run. If neither, keep your comments quiet.
Are you serious? It’s my blog… I can be cynical. I don’t force you to read it (but sadly I have to read your comments). If you don’t agree with my opinion that’s fine but obviously this is a forum for me to share my thoughts. We can agree to disagree but in my opinion, Avalon projects have sucked the soul out of many parts of this city, the Bowery included. That area is like living in an MTV spring break video now. It sucks. Do you really think working, tax paying families will be renting at the Avalon Fort Greene? Do you think families move to Brooklyn to live in high rise buildings? Check out the occupancy rate at Forte if you need proof. You sound like either an agent of the developer or maybe just someone with no appreciation for what this city really can be without rampant development. I don’t need to be the mayor to share my opinion but local politics is something I’m interested in so maybe one day… In the meantime please stay in your brand spanking new condo with stainless steel appliances and floor to ceiling windows. I prefer an old creaky brownstone.
Looks like I was right… Andrew Baranello is a Senior Project Manager for Avalon Bay. Check out his LinkedIn profile. It’s funny that no one without a vested interest in the project seems to support it. I’ll express my opinion one more time… Developers like Avalon are sucking the soul out of this city one neighborhood at a time. Andrew if you think building glass towers has improved the Bowery you’re part of the problem, not the solution.
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/9/57b/534
I just wonder who will want to live in this building? The location is pretty awful — where would you buy groceries? I feel like these buildings make more sense in Manhattan when they can fill them with the transient crowd who’s in NY for a few years with an expense account. Or post college grads who’s parents are fronting the bill. Those types of people want to be on the Bowery near all the action. But on Myrtle and Gold? I don’t think so. And I don’t know any families who would want to live there either. What’s the point of living in “brownstone Brooklyn” when you’re in a sore thumb building basically on a highway (that’s how Flatbush seems) near no restaurants, shops or amenities. That’s usually where the city sticks the PJs.
Unfortunately, Andy, we don’t live the totalitarian society that you seem to want. People are allowed to voice their objections to something–even when they can’t offer an immediate solution. Even when their opinions are clearly illogical and flawed like, oh yours.
Apparently the only two options for this space are 1) drug den and 2) high-rise luxury condos. Guess what, Andy? There are plenty of things that could be done with that land. Your employer’s plan is but one option of many–many that arguably might better serve Fort Green residents, so don’t go about portraying a profit-making venture as philanthropy.
Your comment was pretty rose-colored, Andy. Maybe you should be more skeptical about the true motives of your employer and the impact of yet another high-rise in a saturated, soft market will be. Maybe you should consider the aesthetic impact of this enormous, light-blocking, uninspired behemoth. Maybe your employer should invest in some much-needed resources (as another commentor points out) rather than just increasing the need for those resources. What do you think, Andy?
I couldn’t agree with Carlton Banks more. And I echo KS’s question: who is going to want to live here?
Well, the first answer to “who wants to live here” is… not many people, actually. Look at the Oro and the Forte, they have VERY low occupancy rates. With literally thousands of new apartments slated for downtown BK and lower Fort Greene, I can’t imagine these buildings are going to fill up fast. One exception seems to be the Toren, which is the highest profile of the lot.
With that said, the people who do move in to these buildings don’t need a grocery store (Fresh Direct,) or a subway (taxi,) or local restaurants (Manhattan.) They are faux brooklynites in every sense. Now that the economy has slowed the $9 billion of development downtown, and the $10 billion over at Atlantic Yards, these “luxury” tenants are going to realize pretty quickly that their neighborhood doesn’t really exist yet.
I agree with Andrew 100%. I think you should keep your comments to yourself and Avalon fort green has actually improved from a ditch in the grown to a 27 story high building and still improving. You are just one of tough’s nay-sayers that write bad blogs all day. So wonderful job Andrew!!! I love the building
Notice how Zack can’t quite spell Fort Greene properly? Or it’s “improved from a ditch in the grown”? Or “27 story high building and still improving”? And finally, “One of tough’s nay-sayers”? Who/what is “tough”?
Something a little fishy about this buildings supporters. They either have a direct financial interest in the building or their responses are oddly cryptic and misspelled… I’m hoping someone actually comes with a valid argument for this building. I’m always open to debate.
Hey buddy, i am not a building supporter i am just saying that you are wrong and Andrew is right. Okay ass hole
Great. I am wrong and Andrew is right… Thanks for your insightful comments Zack. That eloquent, logical argument for the building may just change my opinion.
Wow! I am from this area in Brooklyn….and its the hood!! Right near this up & coming Avalon is located is right near the Projects where one of the NY papers (either the Post or Daily News) stated that several convicted rapists live in those Walt Whittman Housing Projects. Not to mention, the laundry place that use to be across the street was a huge place to sell drugs…I know one of the old dealers personally. Let’s talk about the park up Myrtle Ave where there are several shoot outs a year….& many day light shootings all the time, due to robberies. And did you all know that Myrtle Ave used to be called Murder Ave in the early 90’s?
This area is ridden with drugs, crime, etc. It will be way over priced & only white collar dummies will move in here & even they will leave quickly once they know they live in the hood.
Don’t believe me? Drive down Myrtle & turn right onto Kent Ave. Drive down to the second block & look @ the expensive buildings & all the suckers who bought there & live next to those Projects….L. Gardens…oh & the wonderful G train line, which use to have a gang on it who stuck people with HIV infected needles in the late 80′/ early 90’s.
By the way, I lived in a Avalon community in NY & it was way over priced…nothing included, they would come in whenever they felt like it (saying it was maintance) & when you did need maintance staff it took two months for them to come & then still did nothing.
Look around NY very well…you can find something better & in a better area for the same high price.
Hi Carlton,
I was so horrified and GLAD to find your blog since I’m looking to possibly rent at Avalon at Fort Greene. I totally agree with many of the comments made above–and you must be wondering why I’m still considering renting at Avalon–but Avalon is still a very good candidate for us for many personal reasons. We are willing to put up with a lot of things but NOT safety. If we plan to never step a foot east of the apartment and only walk from and to Hoyt St Station, will we be safe??? My husband come home very late from work, and I’m a small, young female. We would really appreciate your input on this. Thanks so much in advance!!
Claudine
Why would you consider moving to a building where you feel unsafe and you plan to “never step a foot east of the apartment”? Are you serious? Safety is relative. There are places where I may feel completely safe and others may not feel the same. Experience the area yourself. I can’t tell you what is safe to you.
Can’t we all just get along? I mean is it really that bad that us whities move into the neighborhood?
I mean if the development sucks, then that’s the tenants problem not yours, why do you care? I could care less about my next door neighbor’s apartment just as much as they can give a shit about mine.
Come on guys think outside the box!! Look at the opportunities! Whole Foods, maybe some expensive clothing, maternity and stroller shops and maybe a few french bistro’s!
Wasn’t there a similar sort of argument when Yankee Stadium was built? And look at where that went! They won the World Series!
I mean, if Carlton’s prediction on who would have won the mayoral election is any indication, I would have to think he may be dead wrong on this.
Sure it’s not 2005, but if you build it, they will come. And they will bring their bikes, stroller and designer dogs with them too!
BTW, I live in prime park slope and there are a couple of sexual offenders living right down the street from me, so he’s right on one thing, safety is relative. You can’t live scared your entire life.