We’ve received reports of a fire at Coney Island Hospital (Avenue Z and Ocean Parkway). Several trucks and ambulances are on the scene and smoke is visible from across the street. We’re looking for more information. Please contact us if you know anything!
Archive for the tag 'ave z'
Is 1702 Avenue Z cursed? It could be, because what once was among Sheepshead Bay’s glitziest properties now has signs of a downhill turn.
First of all, it’s almost a year behind the completion date of the building and work is still being done on the interior of East 17th Street and Avenue Z. Things started to look up in August, as the commercial broker, Massey Knakel Realty Services, told us they were closing a deal with a group of local doctors to use the entire office/retail space as a medical center. Then, in November, the posh residential units hit the market under the elite Corcoran name, with asking prices of more than $800,000.
Now, just a measly three months later, all the big boys have pulled out. The deal with the doctors fell through, and Massey Knakel is no longer representing the building. Similarly, The Corcoran Group has pulled the listing from its website.
Click to see broker's sign
The entire development – commercial and residential – is now represented by the mysterious Dreamlife Realty, for which we can find little information. Their website is dated 2008 and is notably blank and sets off anti-virus alerts. Similarly, a Google search for the agent – Olga Orak – reveals little more than she represents a few McMansions out in New Jersey.
So what’s the deal? What has made two of New York City’s biggest brokers turn tail and run for the hills? And will Little Miss Dreamlife Realty have the pull to market such a high-priced, mixed-use development?
I guess what I’m asking is: are these ever going to sell, or does something smell fishy in Sheepshead Bay?
Traffic backs up to Neptune Avenue, forcing the DOT to remove parking spots at Avenue Z
This Wednesday, Department of Transportation workers arrived on Coney Island Avenue and Avenue Z and sawed down parking meters in front of the 99-Cent Store. The spaces are being used as a right turn lane for the duration of the Guider Avenue/East 8th Street Bridge reconstruction project.
The city made the move to replace the meters with “No Standing Anytime” signs after community complaints poured in about traffic backups all the way to Neptune Avenue. Because of construction on the bridge, commuters seeking Belt Parkway West are being detoured over the Coney Island Avenue bridge to Avenue Z.
North-bound Coney Island Avenue now has four lanes – two continuing north, one left turn, and one right turn. The project is scheduled to last from 12 to 18 months.
In the two days since the change has been in effect, we’ve heard that it has only been a minor improvement, as the bigger problem comes from people attempting to use the 99 cent store parking lot. Cars going in and out block off traffic coming from the Volkswagen garage and Shore Parkway North. We’ve also heard that at the worst times, traffic is still backed up to Neptune Avenue.
According to early reports, an emotionally disturbed person barricaded himself and his parents in an apartment building at 3021 Avenue Z.
The incident occurred some time between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. According to a reader who lives in the building, who provided information to us via Facebook status updates, a mentally unstable man on the fourth floor took his parents hostage. Witnesses, also through Facebook, said the police closed off Avenue Z between Ford Street and Batchelder Street, and there were at least three large police trucks and several other emergency vehicles.
The resident that provided information said police rescued the parents, who went unharmed. She didn’t know about the culprit, who she believes had stopped taking his medication. She also said a similar incident happened in the building four years ago, but it’s unclear if it was the same person.
By 5:30 p.m., police and emergency personnel had left the scene.
This is a breaking report. We will update as additional information becomes available.
Councilman Michael Nelson’s office sent us a note last night that they got word from the Department of Transportation that the Operation Iraqi Freedom Way sign should be back up by the end of the day on Monday, February 22.
The stalled construction site at 2820 Avenue Z that imperils children remains dangerous. Eleven days after the Department of Buildings declared it in “Emergency Condition” and nearly two months after the fence first fell, leaving it open to children from P.S. 52 down the block, nothing has changed. We’ll be watching this one closely. There’s no reason the developer couldn’t nail up a $50 piece of plywood for the time being, and there’s no reason the city should allow this to go on for as long as it has.
The fence to this mess fell down, giving access to children from nearby P.S. 52
We railed last month against the owners of 2820 Avenue Z, a stalled construction site in such deplorable condition that it threatened the safety of local schoolchildren. On February 9, the city declared the site in “Emergency Condition.” This means the property owner must repair the construction fence immediately or the city will do it for them. This is done to ensure public safety.
The ruling came after a February 1 inspection spurred on by complaints about the site’s fallen fencing, which gave access to children from P.S. 52 on the same block. In addition to the broken fencing, the inspection found that the existing wood and steel frame was below grade.
Though there is no exact time frame for the repairs to be done before the city steps in, it’s assumed the property owner has a few days to make repairs. If the city repairs the fencing they put the cost on the property tax bill and charge a premium.
We passed by on February 12 and the fencing was still down. If this is along anyone’s daily route, please send us updates if anything changes.
Thanks to Community Board 15 for the information.
This is NOT how you build a treehouse
Three years ago, workers began demolishing 2820 Avenue Z to make way for a new building. The problem is, it never had permission to do so. The resulting mess is a portrait of Department of Building’s inefficacy that is now putting schoolchildren across the street at P.S. 52 in danger.
After making your way past the fallen fencing and through garbage and jagged debris, you reach a 7-foot drop into a partially excavated foundation, which the DOB forced property owners to re-line with cinder blocks. In the middle of it all is a pile of loosely standing splinters that could generously be called the construction’s frame.
Beer bottles, junk food wrappers, spray paint cans, and the graffiti on the walls show that teenagers have been messing around in here. A crossing guard for the school across the street says she chases the school children out of there on a daily basis. She’s tried calling the number on the side – a general contractor – but gets no response.
Continue reading about the violations, and DOB’s inability to take action
1724 Ave Z: Tamada awning replaced with Luxury Dental, P.C.
Looks like the building at the corner of Avenue Z and East 18th Street will finally have a new tenant.
After what seemed like years, the burgundy awning for Tamada Restaurant – which served Georgian food – has been replaced with a bright sign of a cartoon tooth holding a toothbrush. That means we’re getting a new dental office – and since Sheepshead Bay is the home of a luxury day care center, it makes sense that there should be a luxury dental center. Okay, okay – so, it’s not exactly a grand opening of a luxury dental center in Sheepshead Bay. Dr. Vadim Firdman – the toothman of this new joint – is only making a move from his 1607 Sheepshead Bay Road location.
We’re not sure when the first appointments are getting made, but if you get in to see Dr. Vadim Firdman put in a good word for us. Sheepshead Bites’ teeth could use a little dental work, especially a little luxury cleaning on the house.
A family of stray cats are staking a claim to the garage and attached lot on the corner of Avenue Z and East 16th Street. A group with similar patterns have been seen stalking the grounds, poking through garbage for scraps, and sitting in the sun.
We caught these photos on Tuesday. They’re of two separate cats. They’re pretty handsome, but that doesn’t mean they’re exactly welcome in the neighborhood.
As for the lot – a former garage – it’s been closed for years. It’s a pretty large stretch of space, but we’ve heard whispers that the landlord wants an absurd amount of cash. On top of that, underground fuel tanks have leaked, we’re told, requiring the next owner to clean up before building.
It’s a shame. A bookstore or other business would find that spot purrrfect.
Yeah… I said it.
Too often when we talk about Sheepshead Bay’s gourmet markets, we talk about Cherry Hill Gourmet. That’s too bad, ’cause it means we’ve been ignoring one of our local faves – Sheepshead Bay Gourmet Market on Avenue Z.
Until last week, the business had two locations – a fruit and vegetable market on East 18th Street (also called Sheepshead Bay Fruit & Vegetables Market), and the hot food market at East 16th Street.
The latter has closed for good, workers have confirmed.
It’s too bad, because we never got to extol the virtues of this spot, where you could grab one of the better cups of coffee in the Bay, or pick up a fresh spinach pie in the morning. Sure, you may still be able to grab these items at the back of the fruit and veggie market, but the East 16th Street location had something more going for it: excellent service.
The pair of workers behind the counter – whose names I regret never asking – were always kind and friendly, and always remembered my order. I don’t know if they’ll continue on at the East 18th Street location, but I wish them luck, and thanks for always remembering the hazelnut.
