Time to Eat

Draggin the Line

125th Street Train trestle, Harlem

Lovers in the Night

Admiral's Row nears the Lot

Admiral's Row, the historic Civil War era Brooklyn buildings that have been left to gently rot into ruin, are about to be turned into a parking lot. Thanks to Melanie for the tip: Gothamist reported today that two buildings are to be saved with the remaining demolished to make way for a badly needed grocery store/parking lot for this lower income neighborhood. I am just thankful that the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation appears to be preserving two of the houses, if they're good to their word. From Gothamist:

The Municipal Art Society attended a meeting today at which the negotiations between the National Guard, the owner of the property, and the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation (BNYDC) discussed the future of the buildings at Admiral's Row. The meeting was part of the federally-mandated Section 106 process that requires federal agencies to study the impact of their actions on important historic buildings. Sadly, it seems their minds were made up, the Brooklyn Paper reports that they will save two of the historic buildings in the Brooklyn Navy Yard and destroy the others, making way for a supermarket.

This deal would not guarantee that the buildings (the Timber Shed and building B) would be preserved, rather, ownership would be transferred to the city, who would then "solicit bids from developers to build a supermarket and an industrial building as well as to 'test the market' to rehabilitate and maintain the two crumbling 19th-century structures."

While the city is smiling upon this agreement, MAS (who had their own plans proposed) and other preservationists are not. The former just released the following statement: “MAS appreciates the National Guard’s focus on this issue and the rigorous review it is conducting as part of the Section 106 process. We will continue to work with them to address issues that they have articulated in our effort to preserve more of the buildings. The Brooklyn Navy Yard is seeking to demolish the buildings to create a very large surface parking and we strongly believe that more of the historic buildings could be preserved by reconfiguring their plan.”

Drag me to Hell

These ads are all over town. Am I the only one bothered by the graphic imagery and menace portrayed here? Like the Louvin Brothers sang, "Satan is real."

Old Tribeca Pt. 2

Sonn Bros Company Whiskies, Washington Street

Birnbach Radio, GE, Littlefuse

Old dormer windows on West Side Highway

Old Tribeca Pt. 1

Before DeNiro's film offices, before Wall Street's uber rich arrived, and even before Dan Akroyd sold the four story tenement he purchased with John Belushi, Tribeca was an industrial neighborhood of warehouses and factories. It was largely leveled to build the Twin Towers in the 70s. But remnants of Tribeca's old soul remains, like this vacant storefront on  Canal (built in 1826 by John G. Rohr, a merchant tailor, who lived with his family in this building between 1830 and 1853.) These scant reminders of yesteryear are surrounded by freshly renovated buildings using their former blue collar glory as a selling point to the well heeled...such as the soap factory apartments nearby.. 

or this sign for a spice company on Watts. 

the Von Kraus warehouse...

and this lovely hand guiding you toward the entrance of a currently closed ground floor storefront...  

children play in the park

Second Avenue and Third

Washington Sq. Park fountain -- 7am

Ready for its Closeup

Washington Square Park regulars have been waiting for what seems like two years to get a glimpse at the new fountain. Last night it was up and running for what I think was the first time. So did the many onlookers who expressed surprise. Now if only Bloomie would get his ass downtown to open the west side of the park (and no doubt take credit for it)...and let the east side "renovations" begin.

Clinton Getaway

All NYers must escape. This weekend we journeyed to Clinton, NJ, a cute historic town on the Raritan River.  Old buildings, raffles, a diner full of locals, a hip art museum and a haunted cemetary.... Top shot by galpal.   

136 Bank Street, West Village

Night on 8th Street

A Seafaring Face

Stars on Manny's Walls

Manny's Music in midtown is the oldest musical instrument store in the city. It's served the greats of showbidness since 1935. Along with guitars, horns and amps, the walls are lined with hundreds of autographed photos that date back to the '40s. Manny's may be closing soon (Rockefeller Center wants to buy the block, which is called Music Row for its many instrument stores) but no one seems to know for sure.

A luminous Carly Simon

Jazz great Jo Jones

Lou Reed, Bob Dylan, Barry Manilow, Steely Dan, The Cars

Bob Hope blows

Led Zeppelin!

Blondie

Whitney, Carly, Mariah

Pete Townsend of the Who, looking like a male model for some inane reason

Chelsea Flatiron

When all else fails, the Flatiron building always gets em!  

Ken Mac's Mom

A little late, but here's mom, Myra Mac! Circa 1965 with her AMC Rambler (an incredible car) and our dear dog, Pudgie. Mom's still beautiful today, 84 and going strong.

Hoboken train station Pt II

Still a fully active train station, the Lackwanna Line borders the Hudson but is no longer used as a port. On The Waterfront was filmed steps away from here, when Hoboken (and NYC) was a thriving seaport.   

Hanging in Hoboken

Right across the Hudson, time almost stands still. Above, the old neon of Clam Broth House, a famous Sinatra hang.  

Deco done right!

Habadashery...it ain't the Gap

The famous Lackawanna train station...more tomorrow...