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| The Happenings Feature - February 2007 |
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Revere Sugar disappears from Red Hook
The redevelopment of Red Hook charges forward
A major change to the waterfront is underway along Beard Street. And it is not IKEA.
The Revere Sugar Refinery is fading into history. Built in 1910 by the American Molasses Co., it operated until 1985 as Revere Sugar. The abandoned ruins stood over the entrance to Erie Basin,
a magnet to artists and photographers.
Once owned by Antonio Floriendo, a Marcos family confidant known as the "Banana King of the Philippines," the demolition and redevelopment of the site is a project of
Thor Equities, the same company involved in the redevelopment of Coney Island.
This project is not the same as Coney Island, but it is causing a great deal of consternation among the businesses in the neighborhood. With up to six buildings planned
in an upscale housing complex, the very nature of the Red Hook waterfront will change instantly. Pinned between the IKEA development site and the mainly light manufacturing
of the Beard Street Pier, many business owners feel the complaints against noise will begin when the first resident moves in. They are already feeling the pressure of
gentrification. Truck traffic is already heavy throughout the area, and IKEA is not even built.
The 120-acre site was never zoned for residential. The nearby Erie Basin Bargeport, home to over 200 barges and tugs, and New York Water Taxi, whose eight fairies dock next door,
send a steady stream of vessels through the narrow channel fronting the location. While this may sound picturesque, many worry that the reality will not be what new residents
want in upscale living.
Red Hook's redevelopment jumped to the forefront with the opening of the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal in 2006. The historic
sugar factory is the most recent battleground in what stands to be a regular clash between manufacturing and residential, old and new. Many feel that the historic significance of Red Hook's
structures preclude razing an rebuilding. In the Environmental Impact Study for the Ikea, the Revere Sugar Factory could have been added to the State and National Register of
Historic Places. A five-story stone and brick warehouse on the southernmost part of the property
dates from 1890, reported to be one of the last Beard buildings constructed in this area of Brooklyn. It became part of the refinery about 1915.
What will finally replace the refinery? Time will tell and Red Hook will change forever. |
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The Happenings Feature - Story Archive
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Happenings Story Archive
Visit our HAPPENINGS page to see events taking place in South Brooklyn. |
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Barclays Center comes to Brooklyn
In a bold move, Barclays bank bought the naming rights to the new Nets arena, to be called Barclays Center, the centerpiece of Atlantic Yards.
The 20,000 seat arena will be the home of the Nets in the 2009 season, signalling the return of
professional sports to Brooklyn. It will also serve as a venue for arts and other athletic events,
hosting more than 200 events annually.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg joined a star-studded gathering at the Brooklyn Museum on Thursday, January 18,
to announce the partnership. On stage with the mayor were Nets stars Jason Kidd and Vince Carter,
rapper Jay-Z, NBA Commissioner David Stern, and architect Frank Gehry.
"I know of no company that would be better to bring their reputation to Brooklyn," said Bloomberg.
"And the opportunity to put your name on something this big, and with this phenomenal design, this
is the kind of iconic design that people are going to recognize from any part of the country and every
part of the world."
Barclays Center comes to Brooklyn.... Continued
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DUMBO IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT UNVEILS
FIRST ANNUAL "DUMBO LIGHT CAPADES" IN BROOKLYN BRIDGE PARK
©Mark D Phillips
Empire Stores Building |
"It's holiday lights - Brooklyn style!" said Borough President Markowitz. "Where else but in Dumbo can you find such an illuminated mix of creativity, originality and holiday spirit? These beautiful light sculptures will brighten up Brooklyn for residents of all ages, and make Brooklyn Bridge Park even more festive this holiday season."
Lights on Empire Stores will run for 80 seconds every hour on the half hour and six sculptures grace the field beneath the Manhattan Bridge.
Light Capades.... Continued
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Produced by
SouthBrooklynInternet. All material ©2006. No reuse without permission.
All photographs ©Mark D Phillips - southbrooklyninternet.com |
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