I was just reading 1010wins.com and found this article quite alarming:
 
http://www.1010wins.com/Cops–Brooklyn-Woman-Shot-Outside-Marine-Park-Home/6287525
 
I thought you guys may want to research the situation and post it on your site(s).
 
Also, the Kings Courier reported several burglaries in last week’s police blotter, one of which near PS 222 around 10/11 pm.  Supposedly a man was held at gun point.
 
As an avid reader of both GerritsenBeach.net and MarineParker.net, I suggest that you please encourage your readers/viewers to remain alert and vigilant while walking around our neighborhoods.

Great advice!  If anyone has other tips or concerns, please let us know!

In addition, a local surveillance video caught this all on tape, which was given to the police.  Kudos, vigilant neighbor. 

For the news reports, check out 1010 Wins , WPIX , ABC and Courier-Life.

To follow up our original post about this pending development on Quentin Road and East 36th Street (former site of Herr’s), it appears that beams have been erected in order to construct an additional story to this 8,500 SF one-story building.  Approved on November 18, 2009, the application proposes to convert the existing cellar and first floor to offices and to erect a new second floor. 

In November, MarineParker reported that these plans were originally disapproved by the Department of Buildings.  I surmised that the addition of a second story violates the site’s allowable FAR (the site in fact is currently at 1.0 FAR – the maximum for an R3-2/C1-2 district), as referenced on the Department of City Planning’s mapping tool.  However, this application has been approved for a second story of 5,077 SF, which will most likely be pitched or set back to allow for the sky exposure plane.  Additionally, if one looks to the adjacent one-story building on the corner of Quentin Road and East 35th Street, there is an additional second story set back from the street that is not completely visible from the street.  Perhaps this addition would resemble its neighbor.

Furthermore, the building permit states that this site will be used for an “Ambulatory Diagnostic and Healthcare Treatment Facility,” with the building increasing from 14 to 29 feet high, over twice its height. 

Perhaps Councilman Fidler, Marine Park Civic Association or Community Board 18 should become involved in someway?

Senator Golden’s staff will now be available to the community to address concerns and complaints, or to seek information, on both Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Appointments will be made to accommodate those that cannot visit the office during these set hours of operation.

Senator Golden stated: “Every area within my district is important to me and I hope that these expanded office hours will show my continued support for my constituents in Marine Park, Sheepshead Bay, Gerritsen Beach and Gravesend. I invite the community to speak with my staff about issues that matter to them or to seek our help in trying to resolve problems with State and City agencies.”  

Due to the New York State budget cuts Senator Golden’s office at 3610 Quentin Road was forced to close after six years of providing services to the community. In order to contact the office or make an appointment, you can call (718) 238-6044.

The former site of Herr’s, on the corner of Quentin Road and East 36^th Street, is currently enveloped in scaffolding, with development imminent.  According to the Department of Buildings, the current plan exam which proposed the addition of a second story and the raising of the first floor five feet above sidewalk level has been disapproved.  This is mainly because the current building is built to its maximum, thus any new building could not exceed its current size.  Much to the chagrin of the greedy architect/owner, the building can not be enlarged to gargantuan proportions.

Additionally, the site has pending violations as the sidewalk shed erected doesn’t meet code specifications due to missing bracing and inoperable lights.  A night time visit to the site confirms that this has been partially rectified as lights have been installed and are operable.  Additionally, the architect/owner has also received a violation for posting incorrect information and neglecting to publicly display DOB permits.  A hearing date for this violation is scheduled for November 9, 2009.

As this development is on a large corner lot located on a heavily trafficked avenue, neighbors and concerned parties should be cognizant of what is to be built there.  Quentin Road currently accomodates much traffic due to the supermarkets across the street from one another and P.S. 222.  Additionally, as this site has pending violations, work has been halted by law.  If you see work occurring at this site, please contact MarineParker immediately.

I must admit, the opening of Third and Seven on Quentin Road and East 37^th Street is bittersweet.  Although I am very happy that a new restaurant/bar has opened in the neighborhood, it is with much sadness that I bid adieu to Flood’s Tavern.  Although I have never been in Flood’s, I consider it a staple of my childhood because I would pass it every day walking to and from school.  Always curious as to what went on inside, this unattainable place (for a child at least) never ceased to pique my interest.

I am not sure why I never went into Flood’s.  Many may find this a ridiculous question, but considering the fact that I have frequented the other “old man dive bars” in the neighborhood, it is not without merit.  I guess a part of me assumed it would always be there.  And for my entire lifetime it has been.  A preservationist at heart, I have fondness for places of kitsch and recognition – and for me, Flood’s will always be synonymous with an element of my childhood.  I am sure many others have similar, if not more fascinating stories of places we have lost in the neighborhood throughout the years.

However, Flood’s is gone so let us welcome Third and Seven!  Always one to support a local business, a friend and I dined at Third and Seven last week.  The bar was fairly crowded and almost every table in the dining area was occupied.  The bar/restaurant has been compared to Nora’s and the reviews I have heard from those within the neighborhood have been mostly favorable.  Overall, we were pleased with our dining selections and the prices were comparable with other neighborhood eateries.  It is nice to have another dining/drinking option in the neighborhood – support your local businesses!

Any other comments/reviews for Third and Seven?