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Barclay's Center opens - Page 2 — Brooklynian

Barclay's Center opens

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  • whynot_31
    whynot_31

    Yes, this may be a case where we have two groups disappointed:

    1. Those who predicted the arena would be the end of quality of life as we know it, and wanted to be correct.

    2. Those who spent lots of money buying and renovating businesses that aren't quite in the right area.

  • the collection next door
    the collection next door

    Everyone should realize there is a distinct lack of serious media coverage in Brooklyn. We don't even have a daily newspaper. That is why we are all sharing information on blogs and websites (like this one), and a few intrepid individuals, who are volunteering their time mind you, have taken up the role that the press should be playing by blogging. Just sayin'!

  • pragmaticguy
    pragmaticguy

    Speaking of a lack of media coverage, I get the Brooklyn Progress which is the newspaper from the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce. The only businesses they report on are those that are members and occasionally there is an article dealing with the political scene and how it affect those living/working here. There are no stories at all about any neighborhoods or anything about the area around Barclay's. Now, maybe it's not their function to do that type of reporting but I would think that if they wanted to get more businesses joining that there would be an effort to report about what's going on and where the up and coming business areas are.

  • whynot_31
    whynot_31

    Here is an article by a guy that is very attached to Hanks, the bar at Atlantic Ave and 4th with the flames painted on it.

    http://www.esquire.com/_mobile/features/regarding-this-brooklyn-0313

    It is pretty good.

  • whynot_31
    whynot_31

    Developers Did not Destroy Brookyln:

    http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2013/03/why-developers-didnt-destroy-brooklyn.html

  • jack krohn
    jack krohn

    Thanks for the link. Very interesting article. My favorite quotes:

    "To Friedrich, gentrification is fantastic when the new arrivals are artists and their apartment is a converted factory."

    "Whereas Friedrich thinks Williamsburg was invented the day she arrived and no one was displaced before 2005..."

    The latter reminds me of times when, at my job, I have spoken with residents of Williamsburg and Bushwick (during the early gentrification days of those areas) who disliked the arrival of "artists", saying that they would eventually cause rents to increase. Why is it that "artists" never consider themselves an unwelcome presence and feel that the neighborhood was prarie and sage brush before they arrived with their paints and easels?

    I just learned that the Nets made the playoffs. Where are all the naysayers who said that this would be a colossal failure?

    And my stoop remains puke-free!

  • whynot_31
    whynot_31

    The Daily News ran a piece today describing how there has not been a major impact on most businesses either.

    http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/brooklyn/big-bucks-barclays-beer-heavy-bars-happy-clothing-shops-restaurants-frustrated-article-1.1253314

    ...those who believed the hype and signed long leases for lots of money may be among the suckers in this deal.

  • inpixels
    inpixels

    [video]

    [video]

  • whynot_31
    whynot_31

    The WSJ is reporting the retail activity around the arena has not been a sure thing:

    http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324688404578541690655276854.html?mod=WSJ_NY_MIDDLETopStories

    The NYT is reporting that suprisingly few people are driving to the area to attend events. ...they are taking public transportation, biking, walking, etc.

    http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/13/nyregion/at-barclays-center-events-fewer-cars-than-expected.html?ref=nyregion&_r=0

  • amighty
    amighty

    I think that right now the arena functions amazingly well and as a person who lives about 12 minutes away the impact on the 'hood has been overwhelmingly positive. I am nervous that further developments will swing things the other way.

    The parking situation and public transit use for basketball and concerts may not fare nearly as well with the Islanders. Hopefully, the LIRR will be a viable option for a lot of longtime fans.

    The food in the arena is passable - certainly not bad enough to keep patrons from eating there (I am partial to "The Elbow Room" mac & cheese), but not nearly good enough to compete with some of the options outside. Who knows what the addition of more places like the promised Tony Roma's will do. And, when the scaffolding comes down and the new BBQ place in the old tile store opens, and the shake-shack opens, there may be a lot more people milling around longer before and after the game.

    Also, the construction of more high-rise housing is a big mystery. Same goes for the government office building on Atlantic (I'm hoping it spawns a Lenny's).

    There are potential positives as well. That bike area is totally safe (or so I hope) during events. It's just tucked away opposite of the main entrance so a lot of potential riders probably don't know it's there. Also, I am still waiting for my CItiBike key, and I can't be alone, so I would bet that there will be a lot more riders whenever that is worked out.

    The problem with the surrounding retail is that some of it is clearly a great fit for the arena area. it's too bad, but "Cake Ambiance" can't expect a ton of foot traffic before or after a basketball game. Same for a few of the other niche businesses. Maybe the volume of foot traffic will work in their favor, but I don't know.

    I do know that it seems like crowds have done a real service for places like Melt and Bark, and places on Vanderbilt and down Flatbush that serve food and drinks are benefiting without being totally overrun. For now.

  • newguy88
    newguy88

    Amighty said:

    The parking situation and public transit use for basketball and concerts may not fare nearly as well with the Islanders. Hopefully, the LIRR will be a viable option for a lot of longtime fans.

    The food in the arena is passable - certainly not bad enough to keep patrons from eating there (I am partial to "The Elbow Room" mac & cheese), but not nearly good enough to compete with some of the options outside.

    There are potential positives as well. That bike area is totally safe (or so I hope) during events. It's just tucked away opposite of the main entrance so a lot of potential riders probably don't know it's there. Also, I am still waiting for my CItiBike key, and I can't be alone, so I would bet that there will be a lot more riders whenever that is worked out.

    I do know that it seems like crowds have done a real service for places like Melt and Bark, and places on Vanderbilt and down Flatbush that serve food and drinks are benefiting without being totally overrun. For now.

    It seems to me the Arena has lack of parking! And I like that! I think it kinda of forces people to take mass transit and keeps possibly drunk fans off our neighborhood streets.

    Does any arena have food that is as good or better then what could be found at outside establishments? Maybe the $8 beers and such colors my opinion.

    The lack of bike use around the arena befuddles me. It also leads me to suspect most people who go to the area aren't from the area or possibly even the city. I also think the security guards milling about gives people the opinion that the bike racks are for people going to the arena only. Also keep in mind the only "totally safe" place for your bike is in your home. You really should call Citibike about your key!

    I can tell a pretty big difference at the bars on Vanderbilt when their are games and events at Barclay's. In fact their have been a few times when I've been unable or unwilling to deal with the crowds at them.

  • amighty
    amighty

    While most arenas have terrible food, they also aren't surrounded by neighborhoods like ours. Sure there are some, but even most of the food in the vicinity of MSG is really poor. Try getting a drink within three blocks of the garden,- its an exercise in fratitude. So I think it's notable that Barclays has tried to capitalize inside with some decent Brooklyn themed or derived places. Some of the places are actually decent, but after the first few times I went I started to get bored more than disgusted. It's just so easy to have some great falafel or a burger or dogs right before or after. Save my money for $9 drinks at the Honda Club

  • whynot_31
    whynot_31

    The Barclay's people are now using a new weapon: A green market.

    http://parkslope.patch.com/groups/summer/p/36-years-later-greenmarket-returns-to-flatbush-ave_8e530565

  • newguy88
    newguy88

    Does anyone know when their going to finish that freaking construction on Dean between Flatbrush and 6th ave? I'm sick of nearly getting run over when I'm forced to take the lane due to how ungodly narrow the lane/ bike lane is.

  • karl the druid
    karl the druid

    oh, rusty fortress

    with entertaining venues,

    where are your towers?

  • whynot_31
    whynot_31

    I am told that Lego towers will provide a backdrop to the rusty fortress of entertainment.

    I expect that they will look much like this:

    http://ny.curbed.com/archives/2013/07/03/inwoods_prefabulous_building_now_rising_box_by_box.php

  • jack krohn
    jack krohn

    To all of those people who predicted that the Barclays Center would be a colossal failure:

    http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/garden_wilting_at_no_WroErVTTwgNulGVBhiA4BM

  • karl the druid
    karl the druid

    not a big failure

    but a rusty housing shill

    the arena is

  • karl the druid
    karl the druid

    so where are those jobs?

    where are those ten thousand jobs?

    only the rat knows

  • whynot_31
    whynot_31

    only the suckers believed:

    -the promises that 10,000 jobs would be created.

    -that jobs the created would be good jobs, and magically cause an employer to forgo their self interests by employing the least employable

    -that the public paying for a privately owned arena was the way to do it.

    http://brooklynian.com/forum/prospect-heights/bruce-where-da-jobs-at

    Bertha and Marty, were you suckers or liars? I do not know know which I prefer.

  • newguy88
    newguy88

    So the Barclays Center closed down Dean Street between Flatbrush and Sixth ave. There was no warning before the roadblock and I was forced to bike down Flatbrush which is scary as hell.

  • jack krohn
    jack krohn

    Newguy, it's Flatbush, not FlatbRush. Anyhoo, if you ride down Sixth and turn left on one of the side streets (such as Park Place) and then head east up the hill, it's much safer.

  • whynot_31
    whynot_31

    Lots of money is being made by the arena.

    http://www.thelmagazine.com/TheMeasure/archives/2013/07/15/the-barclays-center-is-making-more-money-in-concert-ticket-sales-than-nearly-any-other-arena-in-the-world

    Housing for the "middle class" will be pursued by government:


  • whynot_31
    whynot_31

    Many people thought that the arena would destroy the property values and quality of life of area residents.

    However, the demand for housing remains so strong that people who are selling their Newswalk apartments (very close to the arena) are making money.

    http://ny.curbed.com/archives/2013/09/25/newswalk_resales_are_making_headlines_and_profits_too.php

    Folks still want to live there.

  • goodprospect
    goodprospect

    There has been a negative impact on the quality of life, however, for those of us living near Barclays as a result of the bars and restaurants that have sprung up to meet the hoped-for needs of event-goers.

  • whynot_31
    whynot_31

    Time will tell whether the area establishments are able to become an attraction in their own right.

    So far, there has been a lot of money lost and earned, depending on skill and luck.

  • karl the druid
    karl the druid

    arena art poem:

    and in other news

    through the toilet shaped portal

    fell a giant turd

  • whynot_31
    whynot_31
    NY Islanders are to finally arrive in 2015http://www.newsday.com/long-island/sources-islanders-won-t-leave-a-year-early-1.6858275They are stuck on the LIE.
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