Q: If You're Not Allowed To Paint, Do You Think Your Landlord Will Mind If You Cover Ur Walls With Ping Pong Balls?

A: Apparently not if you live here.

Ah Brooklyn...good times.

(via Snarkitecture & Brooklynian)

Who Gives A Shit: Atlantic Yards-n-Park Slope

image via Threecee on FlickrOk, so there's been A LOT of talk about Bruce Ratner's Atlantic Yards project. And most of it hasn't been from us, because there are peeps out there doing a way the hell better job covering it. If you wanna catch up on all the details throughout the history of time, click on over to:

+ Atlantic Yards Report

+ Develop Don't Destroy

+ No Land Grab

The downsides of this project have been discussed again and again, and include: eminent domain abuse, fake affordable housing that's not really so affordable, the promise of jobs that can't really be promised cause they are union only jobs, the Frank Gehry brewhaha, etc. For a good summary, check out Atlantic Yards: A Crash Course.

Needless to say, a lot of ppl think this is gonna be bad news bears on multiple fronts.

And yes I know this project is gonna take forever and a fucking day, but since I'm a self-centered bitch, I'm wondering what you ppl think the effects of the Atlantic Yards project will be on THE BEST NEIGHBORHOOD TO LIVE IN NYC: Park Slope. What's gonna happen to us?

An influx of basketball playing residents who want to be closer to the stadium? A worse parking sitch than we already have? Crazy traffic? Plummeting real estate values? Cheaper rents? Nothing? Everything? 

Spill it.

Grand Prospect Hall Wants To Build A Hotel In Their Parking Lot

I guess they've been inspired by the overwhelming success of Hotel Le Blah?

"The Prospect Avenue banquet hall is planning a 150-room, 11-story hotel — called the Hotel Grand Prospect — that would rise over the current parking lot and include a 400-space garage."

Of course, this shit hasn't been approved yet, as the site is only zoned for a 6-story structure. So, if you have strong feelings either way, you should show your ass up at the Community Board 7 Land Use Committee Meeting this Thursday, 1/14 at 6:30pm at 575 5th Ave (corner of 16th Street). Everyone with an opinion is cordially invited.

Sidenote: I mostly don't give a rat's ass if this hotel is built or not, but if it IS and they have those dudes dressed in purple tights at the entrance to greet you, then I'm in full support of this project.

(via Brooklyn Paper)

Park Slope Assholery: Cave Dwellers Part 2

From FIPS reader Chris:

Way back in July FIPS contributor Allison took note of a certain dirt-laden monstrosity of a city dumpster that was taking up precious asphalt outside some fancy Brownstone on Carroll St. For at least two and half years! At the time she reasoned that some rich old coot was steadily digging his way to China.

Well it turns out 15th St has been home to its very own renegade, shanty-town dumpster for the better part of 2010.

I actually remember the thing getting towed onto the block nearly 7 months ago. It was during the summer and throughout many weeks I witnessed several Hispanic laborers tossing trash into its over sized confines, only to sit untended to this very day covered with a blue tarp, where piles of snow, black trash bags, and random furniture have steadily accumulated since city sanitation shut down after last week’s shit storm.

So to whom does this yellow waste of space belong? Squatting hipsters under cover of darkness? Perhaps some d.i.n.k. couple hoarding valuable real estate? And how long will it be before 15th Streeters can once again use the space effectively to not drive their car all week?

Well if Carroll St. is any indication we’ll be acquainted with ol' yellow for some time.

Hmm...How does one even find out who dumpsters belong to? And are they given time limits for parking these mofos on the street? How does that shit work?

Who Gives A Shit: Do You Have A Washer/Dryer In Your Apt?

Here's what you should know: every night when I walk my furry dog's ass around the neighborhood, and you ppl leave your lights on and your windows uncovered, I'm looking into your apartments and I'm looking in HARD.

I notice who has a fireplace (jealz), and who has nice furniture (practically no one), and who has crazy paint jobs (most ppl), and I ESPECIALLY notice who has a washer/dryer (if I can see it, which I usually can't, but still...). Honestly, that's the perk that would mean the most to me. I'd rather have a washer/dryer than a pool.

The NYT was talking about this shit too: Manhattan Status Symbols: Washers and Dryers.

If you have a washer/dryer in your apt, I HATE YOU.

So do you?