New to the Heights
Hi all- We just rode into town and are enjoying prospect heights. Sure there are complains... the circle part of Grand Army Plaza needs pedestrian improvements, the supermarket on Vanderbilt is a bit of a dissapointment, etc. Why complain tho, this is a great neighborhood with wonderful 20s apartment buildings and brownstones. Lots of stores within easy reach too. I recently posted a blog about my hardware store experiences here at newcolonist.com should you be interested, perhaps there are some better stores out there. Also, what's the best place to get a coffee? Prospect Perk? Are there regular community meetings of anykind that discuss neighborhood issues? E
Comments
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how is the supermarket on Vanderbilt a disappointment?
I'm curious to know -
Subject: supermarket
just a bit of a dump, that's all. Key foods on Flatbush is preferred. I saw some sort of place on Washington tonight trying to move my car. I'll check that one out. -
Subject: Re: supermarket
newcolonist wrote: just a bit of a dump, that's all. Key foods on Flatbush is preferred. I saw some sort of place on Washington tonight trying to move my car. I'll check that one out.
that has to be the funniest thing I've heard today
in my opinion you have a lot to learn
I am assuming you are refering to the Met on Vandy correct?
the C-town on washington now that is a dump -
Subject: Re: supermarket
newcolonist wrote: just a bit of a dump, that's all. Key foods on Flatbush is preferred. I saw some sort of place on Washington tonight trying to move my car. I'll check that one out.
Josephs and Josephs (Key Food on Flatbush) may "look" nice, but buy meat from there with the knowledge that you probably will need to make a return trip as soon as you get home and open the package. They are notorious for selling spoiled meat! Veggies from J&J's is fine. Wait until the summer when they start to put their produce outside in the heat and exposed to all the car pollution on Flatbush! Just because they have a nice presentation doesn't mean that what they are selling is up to snuff. For meat we go to Vanderbilt. The grocery on Vanderbilt may "look" like a dump but their produce and meat is spot on!
As to the grocers on Washington...let’s not go there! -
met food is not a "dump" by any means. I've had some complaints, mainly that their prices have gone up, but sadly that's the reality of our economy right now.
I'm a vegan and they have a lot of food I eat which makes me happy and they have a good beer selection.
I've been shopping there for 9 years and it's improved over that time, but has always been pretty good.
The Key Food is alright. They redid it a couple of years ago and improved it, but I think it's hard to find stuff in the store. Veggies can be better than Met, not sure of the meat. I recommend the green market at the entrance of Prospect Park on Saturdays for vegetables this time of year. My husband also buys meat and fish and eggs there and loves the quality. -
Subject: Go back!
New Colonist sure are sure a bitter whiner!! Since our neighborhood is such a shit hole that has no consideration to your needs maybe you should go back to wherever you came from!! -
Subject: Re: Go back!
sneakyonstmarks wrote: New Colonist sure are sure a bitter whiner!! Since our neighborhood is such a shit hole that has no consideration to your needs maybe you should go back to wherever you came from!!
How do you possibly get there from here:newcolonist wrote: Why complain tho, this is a great neighborhood with wonderful 20s apartment buildings and brownstones. Lots of stores within easy reach too.
obSeinfeldPic
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Subject: Re: Go back!
sneakyonstmarks wrote: New Colonist sure are sure a bitter whiner!! Since our neighborhood is such a shit hole that has no consideration to your needs maybe you should go back to wherever you came from!!
Eeeek, you are gross! -
Subject: Re: New to the Heights
newcolonist wrote: Hi all- We just rode into town and are enjoying prospect heights. Sure there are complains... the circle part of Grand Army Plaza needs pedestrian improvements,
In regards to GAP- they just re-did the whole thing to make it more accomodating to both peds and bikes, and I think it's a definite improvement. What exact issues do you have? You should have seen it before- like a life size version of Frogger. -
Subject: groceries and grand army
“New York is the perfect model of a city, not the model of a perfect city.”
Lewis Mumford quote
I did notice some new concrete at Grand Army Plaza today. I'd like to see a photo or diagram of it in the 1920s or 30s to get an idea what it was like. Traffic circles are typically problematic for pedestrians. My complaint is you have to walk through several crosswalks to get to the center. Also the spaces painted on the road where cars aren't supposed to go are usually covered by cars.
On the grocery issue, nothing I bought at Met was bad, it just doesn't look so nice. The beer selection seems good, I agree, of course to a Pennsylvania native any alcohol in a store brings amazement.
I saw a poster on the plant/antique shop about beautifying Vanderbilt. Maybe something is in the works? I also picked up a pamphlet about preservation of buildings in Prospect heights. I guess the issue is the codes allow for much higher density that exists here. I have conflicting thoughts on these issues. Higher density is generally better, and I like to see old buildings preserved. If all the brownstones had been saved, all these great 20s apartment buildings wouldn't be here. Plus in theory higher density means more housing units and greater supply (if we get to the point where it exceeds demand) could make housing more affordable. However it perhaps goes without saying that "affordable" is relative here. -
Subject: Re: groceries and grand army
newcolonist wrote: "Restore human legs as a means of travel. Pedestrians rely on food for fuel and need no special parking facilities."
Lies, I tell you!
Lewis Mumford
All one need do is peek in on the barstools at your local pub to disprove that one.
Well, as far as the special parking facilities. -
Subject: Re: groceries and grand army
newcolonist wrote: “New York is the perfect model of a city, not the model of a perfect city.”
Good quote....and well, you kinda say it right there, traffic cirlces are problematic for peds, and that won't change anytime soon, but I think they took the right step forward by putting in the conctrete. Like I said, it was "make it to the other side alive," before.
Lewis Mumford quote
I did notice some new concrete at Grand Army Plaza today. I'd like to see a photo or diagram of it in the 1920s or 30s to get an idea what it was like. Traffic circles are typically problematic for pedestrians. My complaint is you have to walk through several crosswalks to get to the center. Also the spaces painted on the road where cars aren't supposed to go are usually covered by cars.
As for your complaint about have to walk through several crosswalks---I mean, maybe you have "city planning" on your resume, cause I don't really get what the complaint really is. There are many roads that jut out from the circle, so it's going to be a bit sloppy/complicated for people not in cars. The whole purpose of a traffic circle is for cars, right? So, peds/bikes are going to get the short end of the stick on this. It sucks that it's right at the main entrance to the park, ped friendly, and the library, but I personally love it. Even if I eventually get run over, which hopefully won't happen now with the concrete! -
I suppose it limits the amount of people who get to the center, so it's a respite if you do make it!
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Subject: Re: groceries and grand army
Whatchuwant wrote: As for your complaint about have to walk through several crosswalks---I mean, maybe you have "city planning" on your resume, cause I don't really get what the complaint really is. There are many roads that jut out from the circle, so it's going to be a bit sloppy/complicated for people not in cars. The whole purpose of a traffic circle is for cars, right? So, peds/bikes are going to get the short end of the stick on this. It sucks that it's right at the main entrance to the park, ped friendly, and the library, but I personally love it. Even if I eventually get run over, which hopefully won't happen now with the concrete!
Shit, I've driven through there a few times, it is sloppy/complicated for cars too!
Or I'm just out of practice.
But yeah, it is going to be a bit complicated regardless, by its very nature. -
Subject: Re: groceries and grand army
newcolonist wrote: “On the grocery issue, nothing I bought at Met was bad, it just doesn't look so nice. The beer selection seems good, I agree, of course to a Pennsylvania native any alcohol in a store brings amazement.
Vegetables, eggs, herbs, and sometimes fish and meat are great to get at the Farmer's Market every Sat at Grand Army Plaza.
Met is a pretty good neighborhood grocery store but if you have a car there are some other options for shopping such as Key Food on 5th Ave, 2 Pathmarks (one at Atlantic Terminal and one in Red Hook). My favorite store is Fairway in Red Hook.
I don't drink coffee but my husband loves the coffee at Joyce Bakery on Vanderbilt and I love everything else there.newcolonist wrote: I saw a poster on the plant/antique shop about beautifying Vanderbilt. Maybe something is in the works? I also picked up a pamphlet about preservation of buildings in Prospect heights. I guess the issue is the codes allow for much higher density that exists here. I have conflicting thoughts on these issues. Higher density is generally better, and I like to see old buildings preserved. If all the brownstones had been saved, all these great 20s apartment buildings wouldn't be here. Plus in theory higher density means more housing units and greater supply (if we get to the point where it exceeds demand) could make housing more affordable. However it perhaps goes without saying that "affordable" is relative here.
Vanderbilt Ave Clean up day
http://brooklynian.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=427927&highlight=#427927
If you are interested here is a quick link for you
http://www.developdontdestroy.org/php/latestnews_ArchiveDate.php -
Subject: jerk!
I might be a jerk but new colonist seems like she or he has a greater plan to the needs of PH! Anyhow this thread is a waste of time! -
well, i am sure after enough tequila, everything is perfect in your world.
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Welcome to the neighborhood! I thought the same thing about that Key Foods when I first moved here. "What a cute little market." I cannot stand that place now. After a few visits where I unavoidably bumped into everyone in the store, going around in circles trying to find something, and then having to deal with all those surly checkout women, you will be loving the Met. The Met sells most everything that Key Foods does.
For veggies though, when I can't get to the Farmers' Market I like Natural Land on Flatbush.
RE GAP: I've heard rumors of plans to (somehow) make GAP into less of a traffic circle and more of a traffic U. This will allow the arch and the plaza in front of the arch to be connected to Prospect Park. I'm not exactly sure, however, how that will work, and I haven't seen any drawings. -
Is it just me or are the key food check out girls just the surliest creatures to ever walk the face of the earth? No matter how polite you are they always have that detatched put-upon attitude and refuse to make eye contact let alone crack a smile.
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I just moved recently too. I love the neighborhood.......Especially the Jamaican Patties.
The Met is great compared to the Key Food and their Butcher "Shoppe" on Flatbush. That place is ridiculous. I personally think the freshest vegetables are in Natural Land next to the AA. -
I've been in PH for one year and I've found that Met is pretty good, except for a terrible cheese selection and very average produce. Key Food on Flatbush is totally overpriced—I'd rather walk into PS to Bierkraft for fine cheeses or to GAP Farmer's Market for produce than to spend it there. C-Town is just awful in every regard. Whatever.
Oh, and Sneaky—lighten up a bit. -
I think I see the disconnect on the Grand Army Plaza pedestrian issues. The part I am talking about is to the North, on the other side of Neptune from the arch. Pedestrians are all directed toward Vanderbilt (or in that direction)-- If you want to go away from Vanderbilt you have to walk towards it and then cross the street again. Here are some photos: http://www.pbase.com/empirebuilder/walking_gap
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